News
NUPG Splash-In Results Announced
The freshwater quarry at Capernwray, Lancashire, UK was the venue for the 2017 Northern Underwater Photography Group (NUPG) Splash-In. On the day they welcomed the 11 people who had registered to take part in the event. The divers were from different clubs and agencies including BSAC, PADI and SSI.
Yo-Han Cha, NUPG Chairman, Elaine White, Caroline and Nick Robertson-Brown had a very busy day giving advice on how to take a better underwater photograph with the various cameras and video recorders brought along as well as advice on post processing images using various software. The cameras included Go Pros, Compacts, Micro 4/3rds and DSLRs.
The day remained dry and fairly warm so everyone was able to get underwater and get lots of practice. Following the dives everyone got together where all the images were judged and the result was very close, with only one vote separating the top three photos.
A massive congratulations to Richard Burke for his winning shot of a diver with torch reflected in the “Apeks” Van wing mirror, a clever and original shot. The camera he used was a Sony RX100 Mark II. He was awarded his prize by Nick Robertson-Brown of Frogfish Photography who had sponsored the trophy.
Joint runners-up were Glynn Phillips for his macro shot of mussels with a fine eye to detail and the shallow focus giving a nice “Bokeh Effect” with the mussels in the background. His camera was an Olympus EPL5 whilst the other runner up Matthew Boa was using a Nikon D7000 with a Tokina 11-16mm lens for his wide angle black and white shot of a diver and wreck.
At the end of the day everyone was very pleased that a lot of advice had been given about underwater photography and photo editing and everyone there had had a thoroughly enjoyable day.
The NUPG would like to thank all those that turned up on the day as well as those that assisted with the preparation and running of the competition and for those members of the club that turned up on the day to give their support and as well as to all the entrants. The NUPG look forward to seeing you again at one of their monthly meetings or at another future event. For more information about the underwater photography club visit www.nupg.org.uk.
The next meeting of the NUPG on the 9th October will host guest speaker, Kirsty Andrews, recent winner of the wide angle category in The 2017 British & Irish Underwater Photography Championship. She will be giving a presentation entitled “Southern Comfort – A Tour of some South West Diving Photography Highlights”.
So please put this date in your diary. If you would like to join members of the NUPG for a curry beforehand try to arrive between 6.15pm and 6.45pm as the restaurant can get quite busy.
The competition theme is: Unedited (Completely unedited image not even whole image adjustment!)
Full details for competition entries can be found here.
Details of where we meet can be found here.
Everyone is welcome!
Marine Life & Conservation
Shark Trust launches Oceanic 31 Shark Art Auction
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.
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
Gear News
Introducing the RS Series Drysuit from DYNAMICNORD
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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