Underwater photography festival dedicated to legendary diver
The six-day Sodwana Bay Shootout festival started yesterday in South Africa and will see a legion of photographers competing to capture the beauty of Isimangaliso wetland park.
The festival will be dedicated to legendary diver Peter Timm and his diving buddy, Adele Stegman. The two tragically died two weeks ago in a diving accident while helping find research equipment that was lost during a research cruise in 58m of water off Umkomaas near Aliwal Shoal in the south of Durban.
The equipment, owned by the Oceanographic Research Institute, was being used to sample biodiversity on the seafloor, as part of a multi-institutional collaborative conservation research programme.
ISimangaliso’s commercial director, Terri Castis, said the decision was taken based on the fact that Timm was the one of the most highly experienced divers in the industry, but also achieved international recognition as the discoverer of living coelacanths in the deep canyons off Sodwana Bay in 2000.
“Peter’s commitment to iSimangaliso, and conservation and science were unquestionable. He was always on hand to assist and support,” said Castis.
Timm was also a key organiser of the Sodwana Bay Shootout festival and photography competition and was to have been the master of ceremonies.
Castis continued: “It is only fitting that this year’s event be dedicated to Peter for his contribution to iSimangaliso. He was a giant of a man and will be missed by all of us who worked with him.”
The Sodwana Shootout is the premier South African national underwater photographic competition that takes place over 5 days each year and attracts underwater photographers and videographers from across Southern Africa.
It is a unique competition where entrants enter footage and images taken exclusively during the 5 days of the competition at Sodwana Bay. The competition recognizes competitors at various skill levels from novice through to advanced and even professional entrants. There are great prizes for the various techniques and categories as well as for the overall winner. A panel of respected industry professionals is responsible for the judging of the entries.
Source: www.thenewage.co.za
