Winners of the Underwater Festival 2011 - The Australasia Challenge

Contributed by Tim Hochgrebe

The Concept

We are all aware of the impact of digital photography, the internet and especially social media on our daily lives. These 'advances' in technology have really had a huge impact on diving as well. Underwater Photography has became cheaper and easier to do and a lot easier to share.

It was with that in mind that the 5th installment of the annual Underwater Festival was taken to a new dimension. We gave participants 10 days to shoot, but they could participate anywhere in 25 countries that we defined as the Australasia Region.

From the 2nd to the 11th of September 2011, hundreds of divers from all around the world participated in this 'underwater snapshot of Australasia' in all kinds of ways. They dived their way from Sydney to Cairns in 10 days, circumnavigated Bali, showed off their favourite 'own backyard' dive sites, travelled long distances to participate in one of the organised Fringe Events or created their own. The top 100 images and top 10 videos were exhibited in the Underwater Festival Hall during ODEX.

Over $150,000 in prizes were won in 14 Photo Categories and 5 Video Categories which makes this to our knowledge the richest event in underwater imaging on the planet.

Not unlike an underwater 'Earth Hour' we want to help to highlight the underwater beauty but also the underwater issues of this fantastic bioregion and help to show the world what we've got to lose.

Underwater Festival Awards

Some of the worlds most recognised underwater photographers and film makers namely Steven Wong & Takako Uno, Neville Coleman, Mathieu Meur, Tony Wu, Gary Bell, Aaron Wong, Jason Heller and David Warth devoted their time to judge the submitted entries.

It was fantastic to see such enthusiasm for this event from different corners of Australasia and we hope the results reflect the ambitious '2011 Underwater Snapshot of Australasia'

The winners were announced at the Underwater Festival Awards ceremony during the ODEX & Underwater Festival Party on 8 October. The prestigious Underwater Festival Trophies were awarded to the first prize winners in all categories as well as the best of show Photography and Video - of course in addition to the fabulous prizes.

First prize - Underwater Festival Award winners and top prizes

WINNER - BEHAVIOUR - Pedro Carrillo-Montero - 7-day dive holiday to Christmas Island


WINNER - SEX - Vanessa Mignon - 8 Days 7 nights Cocotinos Manado Special Dive Package for ONE


WINNER - TEMPERATE WATERS - Ross Gudgeon - Ikelite video or photo housing of choice


WINNER - CORAL TRIANGLE - Matthew Tworkowski - US$3,500 Nauticam voucher


WINNER - FRESHWATER - Liz Rogers - 7-night dive holiday at Lissenung Island Resort


WINNER - ISSUES - Peter Hitchins - 1 Week holiday at MATAVA for TWO


WINNER - NUDIS - Jim Dodd - Olympus XZ-1 with housing


WINNER - NEVILLE COLEMAN AWARD - Matthew Tworkowski - 5 day dive package at Lembeh Hills Resort for ONE


WINNER - SHARKS - Peter Hitchins - 7-night dive package at Tawali Resort for ONE


WINNER - BIG STUFF - Vanessa Mignon - 11 day cruise on the Arenui


WINNER - HUMANS - Mazdak Radjainia - Atomic COBALT Diving Computer


WINNER - WRECKS - Dorian Borcherds - 6-night holiday for TWO with ABWonderdive


WINNER - OVER-UNDER - Bob Halstead - MARES Dive computer ICON HD


WINNER - SUPER MACRO - Tet Lara - 5 day holiday for TWO at Heron Island Resort
and
BEST OF SHOW - PHOTO - Tet Lara - Trip for TWO on the Damai or the Damai II

For those that did not make it to the show or awards night, please visit the full results, blogs and galleries on the extensive Underwater Festival website at underwaterfestival.org

Underwater Festival 2012

Wheels are in motion for the Underwater Festival 2012. Following from the feedback we received, the format will stay much the same, except you will have the whole month of September 2012 to shoot. So start planning your trips and keep your eyes on the Underwater Festival website.

Sponsorship enquiries - Feedback to info@underwaterfestival.org or tim@underwater.com.au - +61-2-66809410

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