News
by Mike Veitch
26 excited participants from all over the globe ended on the island of Layang Layang in Sabah, Malaysia from July 17-23rd for a 6 day extravaganza of camaraderie, photography, and spectacular diving. Judges and presenters for the week included Stephen Wong from Hong Kong, Dr Kurt Svrcula from Malaysia, Settimio Cipriani from Italy, and Mike Veitch from Yap. Participants enjoyed 3 to 4 dives per day on Layang’s spectacular walls and enjoyed a never ending variety of food when not in the water. The weather could not have been better as there was nothing but bright blue sky and flat seas throughout the event. With so many participants taking part, the evenings were lively affairs with everyone gathering around the restaurant and bar areas for nightly presentations from the judges.
With a total of 12 prizes up for grabs, 6 each for wide angle and macro, it was a common site to see participants up late at night skimming through their photos in order to pick their top 3 images for each category. The 3 judging categories included composition, technical perfection, and the “Wow” factor. The judging was extremely close on many of the images as the talent level of participating photographers was very high.
With so many great sponsors there were certainly no shortage of prizes for the top 6 entries in each category, the first prize alone was worth US $6000!! Thanks to sponsors Nautica, Nikon, Layang Layang, Asian Diver, Coral Redang Resort, Macana Maldives Liveaboard, Baani Explorer, Oceanic, GP Batteries, Ralf Tech, NAUI, Borneo Divers, and SMART resort.
Congratulations to all of the winners and thank you to everyone who participated in this fun and exciting event, we look forward to seeing you again in 2008!
The winners:
6th place Marco
Mr. Mitsuo Higure (Japan) Ralftech Extreme Gear Bag, GP Batteries and Charger
6th place WA
Ms. Sylvie Grall (France) Ralftech Extreme Gear Bag, GP Batteries and Charger
5th place Macro
Mr. Kim Yu Woong (Korea) Coral Redang Resort 5D 4N stay for 1 person, GP Batteries and Charger
5th place WA
Mr. Gerritis Remco (Netherlands) Coral Redang Resort 5D 4N stay for 1 person, GP Batteries and Charger
4th place Macro
Mr. Tsuneo Taniguchi (Japan) Oceanic Atom II Wrist Watch Dive Computer, GP Batteries and Charger
4th place WA
Mr. Kim Yu Woong (Korea) Oceanic Atom II Wrist Watch Dive Computer, GP Batteries and Charger
3rd place Macro
Mr. Matthew Lawrence (Australia) Nikon SLR Camera 5D 4N stay in SMART resort for 1 Person, GP Batteries and Charger
3rd place WA
Mr. Tsuneo Taniguchi (Japan) Nikon SLR Camera 5D 4N stay in SMART resort for 1 Person, GP Batteries and Charger
2nd place Macro
Ms. Takeko Taniguchi (Japan) 7 Nights Accommodation for one on Baani Explorer Liveaboard, Maldives for 2 people, Nautica Sports Watch, GP Batteries and Charger
2nd place WA
Ms. Leander Wiseman (Australia) 7 Nights Accommodation for one on Macana Maldives Liveaboards for 2 people, Nautica Sports Watch, GP Batteries and Charger
1st place Macro
Mr. Bradley Graeme (Australia) 2 Nautica Sports Watch, 6D 5N Stay in Layang Layang Island Resort for 2 People, 6D 5N Stay in Borneo Divers Mabul Resort for 2 People, GP Batteries and Charger
1st place WA
Mr. Bradley Graeme (Australia) 2 Nautica Sports Watch, 6D 5N Stay in Layang Layang Island Resort for 2 People, 6D 5N Stay in Borneo Divers Mabul Resort for 2 People, GP Batteries and Charger
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