News
New DAN Europe 2020 Member Card Unveiled at the Venice UW Photo Contest
Renee Capozzola and her stunning “wide-angle, over-under stingray with sunset” photo has won the DAN Europe 2020 Card prize at the Abissi Underwater Photo Contest of Venice, Italy.
The ceremony was held at the end of October, before an audience of about 100 divers, in the beautiful setting of the National History Museum, a 13th-century palazzo on the Venice Grand Canal, hosting a number of collections including fossils, botanical, entomological, and zoological specimens.
The winning photo and photographer’s name will appear on over 110.000 Cards sent out to DAN Europe Members all over Europe, the Middle East, and the Maldives through 2020.
“I have been a DAN member since I got certified in 2004,” said Renee Capozzola. “I think it’s important for divers to have the protection and peace of mind DAN gives when traveling. Luckily I have never had to use DAN in an emergency, but I feel confident I can count on DAN if needed!”
Renee Capozzola tells the story behind her incredible shot:
“When traveling to French Polynesia, I like to focus on half and half shots when possible. Here, where sharks and larger marine animals are protected, one can find a diversity of life and pristine corals in shallow depths. During a recent trip there, it was my plan to try and take a picture of a stingray at sunset. This took several attempts over multiple days, as not only did I need a good sunset, but I also required the stingray to be in a photographic position as the sun was setting. Luckily, I managed to get this shot, which I think portrays the stingray against a pleasing background and hopefully will raise awareness to help protect other marine ecosystems”.
Technical specs
Canon 5D Mark III, Nauticam housing, Sea & Sea YS-D2 strobes, f18, 1/250, ISO 400
About the photographer
Renee Capozzola is an international award-winning underwater photographer who specialises in wide angle and over-under images. Her work is an intriguing combination of artistic talent honed through oil painting during her youth and a professional background in biology. As a Southern California native, the ocean has always been a large part of her life. Since she started scuba diving in 2004, she has been to some of the most remote parts of the world and developed a true appreciation for marine organisms with her diversified travels. Renee believes that striking images help increase awareness of our fragile marine ecosystems and encourage others to help protect our oceans.
To see more of Renee’s work, visit www.beneaththesurfaceimaging.com
About Abissi Venice
The Venice competition was created in 2008 by the Abissi-Underwater Photo Venice association, with the aim to let the world know more about the sea and its breathtaking beauties through photography, organisation of events, exhibitions and courses.
Over the years Abissi has established itself as one of the most interesting underwater photo competitions on the national and international scene. A great event in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Venice. The DAN Europe Card prize has been introduced in 2015.
Printed copies of all winning photos in the various competition categories – 33 shots selected by a jury of experts over about 500 photos submitted – have been exhibited on October 5-27 inside the Museum, in the picturesque “Gallery of Cetaceans”. Over the last seven years, photos from the competition have been enriching the archive of this splendid museum, also serving for educational and research purposes.
Find out more at www.underwaterphoto-venice.it.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
Cozy and warm in cold water.
It’s drysuit season all year round. With the new RS series premium drysuits from DYNAMICNORD, divers are perfectly equipped for all cold waters.
The sophisticated cut of the RS drysuits allows complete freedom of movement, providing maximum comfort. The high-quality 350 g/m² ripstop material with double ripstop zones on the elbows, knees, and crotch protect ensures extreme robustness as well as long life.
The suit’s features leave nothing to be desired: A high-quality TiZip zipper, easily adjustable inlet and outlet valves, upgradeable with electrically heated underwear, HP bottleneck cuffs made of high-strength latex on the wrists, a 3mm neoprene neck cuff for maximum comfort, a 7mm hood with air outlet and 3mm boots made of double-sided, cross-layered neoprene with ankle straps and fin strap stoppers and a protective but very flexible sole.
Noteworthy is the Molle fastening system, which can be used in a variable and compatible manner. This way, the two detachable leg pockets can be attached easily, safely and comfortably.
Alterations of boots to a different shoe size or adjustments to neck or wrist cuffs are done free of charge at the own DYNAMICNORD service centre in Germany in only a couple of days.
The matching Dynaskins made with high-quality Polartec® technology are available in various designs. As an undersuit under the drysuit, as a single suit in warm waters or as a two-piece suit. Polartec® technology’s main features are neutral buoyancy, breathablilty and quick-drying.
Dynaskins are made largely from recycled plastic bottles.
The drysuit RS-351 for men and RS-352 for women are now available at your DYNAMICNORD dealer and in the online store.
Colors men and women: Black-Blue and Black-Burgundy
Sizes men: XS-4XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, MLS, MLT, LS, LT, XLS, XLT, 2XLS, 3XLS, 4XLS
Sizes Women: XS-XL incl. intermediate sizes MS, MT, LS, XLS
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
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