{"id":135,"date":"2014-02-09T16:09:22","date_gmt":"2014-02-09T16:09:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.underwaterphotography.com\/blog\/?p=135"},"modified":"2014-06-09T20:01:03","modified_gmt":"2014-06-09T20:01:03","slug":"february-2014-uw-photo-contest-winners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.underwaterphotography.com\/blog\/february-2014-uw-photo-contest-winners\/","title":{"rendered":"February 2014 – UW Photo Contest Winners"},"content":{"rendered":"

A monthly hotshot<\/strong> is an entry that was shortlisted by 2 or more judges. The monthly winners<\/strong> (1st, 2nd, 3rd and Runner Ups) are chosen from this short list by our editor (no medals, just your name in the lights for a month!). They are chosen according to the number of judges votes with some reference to the peoples votes and the editor’s choice. It is no coincidence that many of the Hotshots<\/a><\/strong> end up in the annual awards!
\nTo get a chance to feature your photo in next month’s winners, enter your best underwater photo here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

The monthly winners for February have been announced. Thank you all for entering and Congratulations<\/strong> to the winners and runners up!<\/p>\n

Check out February’s well deserved winners:<\/strong><\/h1>\n

1st Place:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A Spanish Dancer treating me to its graceful dance.<\/p>\n

Editor’s Comment:<\/p>\n

Wow, one of my favorites. Your second Orange over Blue shot, maybe I have a weakness for this color combination. Very well taken.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In Category: <\/strong>Macro – Nudibranchia | Taken in:<\/strong> South Africa<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\"\"<\/div>\n
Valda Fraser <\/strong>
\nI live on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and started diving in 1988. I spend lots of time in the water and on almost every dive find something to feel excited about. A word of thanks to my buddy Mike as his patience is regularly stretched to the limit while I try to get the right shot. I have a Nikon D300 and my favourite lenses are the Nikon 60 and 10.5 lenses, as well as the Tokina 10 \u2013 17 fisheye. Most of our diving takes place close to home, but we like to visit Sodwana and Mozambique several times a year.
\nFull Profile<\/a><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

2nd Place:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Freediver in his natural element<\/p>\n

Editor’s Comment:<\/p>\n

Wow, very artistic and perfectly composed<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In Category: <\/strong>Wide Angle – Divers | Taken in:<\/strong> Cayman islands<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\"\"<\/div>\n
Ellen Cuylaerts <\/strong>
\nFrom Belgium, living in Grand Cayman since 2009.
\nTraveler, adventurer, in awe of nature’s beauty.
\nRecently started diving (June 2011) and can’t get enough: Master Scuba diver and very eager underwater photographer since August 2011. There’s no way back:-).
\nFull Profile<\/a><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

3rd Place:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

OMG…my water just broke!!!<\/p>\n

Editor’s Comment:<\/p>\n

One of my favorites of the month.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In Category: <\/strong>Macro – not swimming | Taken in:<\/strong> Australia<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\"\"<\/div>\n
Gaetano Gargiulo <\/strong>
\nPreferred dive sites:
\nAustralia: Kurnell (NSW)
\nItaly: Spiaggia Caterina Sant’Agnello (Naples)<\/div>\n

I make my own illumination systems and I like to take IR and UV (underwater) pictures!!!
\nFull Profile<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Runner Up:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Circles<\/p>\n

Editor’s Comment:<\/p>\n

Another one that stands out from this series, great work Marco.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In Category: <\/strong>Wide Angle – Close Focus | Taken in:<\/strong> Italy<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\"\"<\/div>\n
Marco Gargiulo <\/strong>
\nI use a Nikon D800 with Isotta Housing, 2 x INon Z240 optical wired, all lenses Nikon: 16 mm, 18\/55 mm, 60 mm micro, 105 mm micro.
\nI was born in 1968, start to dive since 1974, first scuba photo with Nikonos III during 1979. I’m the 2011 Italian FIPSAS Champion of Digital Reflex Underwater Photography.
\nFull Profile<\/a><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Runner Up:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A Perfect Sunset<\/p>\n

Editor’s Comment:<\/p>\n

The sun, the fin, the shark.. Everything comes together to a great shot which is very hard to take.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In Category: <\/strong>Sharks | Taken in:<\/strong> South Africa<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\"\"<\/div>\n
Allen Walker <\/strong>
\nEquipment:
\nCanon 5D Mark 11 with Hugyfot Housing & Inon Strobes
\nCanon 7D with Hugyfot Housing & Inon Strobes<\/div>\n

Favorite South African Dive Sites: Aliwal Shoal – Umkomaas, Shark Park – Rocky Bay, Mellow Yellow – Sodwana Bay,<\/p>\n

Favorite Dive Events: Port St. Johns – Sardine Run; Tiger Season – Rocky Bay; Vast masses of Juvenile fish – Pomene\/Morrengulo.<\/p>\n

Favorite Operators: www.bluewilderness.co.za; www.amoraydiving.com; Offshore Africa Port St.Johns
\nFull Profile<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Runner Up:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

7 Carcharhinus perezi<\/p>\n

Editor’s Comment:<\/p>\n

A bit too dark but a very impressive shot.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In Category: <\/strong>Sharks | Taken in:<\/strong> Cuba<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\"\"<\/div>\n
Mathieu Foulqui\u00e9 <\/strong>
\nfavorite dive sites ; from murky ponds to 100m viz of Silfra
\nFull Profile<\/a><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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