Calling all underwater photographers! It is with great excitement that CITA is once again hosting the Underwater Photography Competition in conjunction with the 9th Annual International Underwater Film Festival . The photography competition will be open to anyone—professional or amateur, local or visitor—who wishes to submit photos to be considered in the contest (photos must be taken in the Cayman Islands).

The contest will be open July 15th and last through October 25th. The esteemed Cathy Church, along with photographers Ellen Cuylaerts and Patrick Weir, will review all entries and determine the winners based on the judging criteria. A full list of rules and regulations can be found on the official entry form below. Photos can be submitted directly through this on-line registration form.

Winners will be announced at the Underwater Film Festival on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 (location TBA). Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place photos in each of the following five categories:

1. Fish/Turtles/Stingrays

2. Unusual

3. Critter/Macro

4. Scenic

5. Creative (includes opportunity for advanced photo editing)

Prizes are as follows:

1st place: CI $200 gift certificate to Diver’s Supply in Grand Cayman, party keg of White Tip Lager by the Cayman Islands Brewery, winning image printed on canvas (16×20) by Cathy Church’s Photo Centre

2nd place: CI $100 gift certificate to Diver’s Supply in Grand Cayman, case of White Tip Lager by the Cayman Islands Brewery, winning image printed on canvas (11×14) by Cathy Church’s Photo Centre

3rd place: CI $50 gift certificate to Diver’s Supply in Grand Cayman, winning image printed on canvas (8×10) by Cathy Church’s Photo Centre

Winning photographs will be on display at the International Underwater Film Festival.

In addition, a ‘Best in Show’ award will be given to one of the first place photos as an overall best of the best! This grand prize winner will receive a trip on the Aggressor Fleet to a location of their choice (Cayman, Belize, Turks & Caicos or the Carib Dancer in the Bahamas).  Prize valued at US $2,795 and includes deluxe accommodation, diving, air, weights, weight belts, all meals and snacks, non alcoholic beverages, local beer and wine.

International Underwater Film Festival

The International Underwater Film Festival is in its 9th year and is an event that coincides with the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame (ISDHF). The film festival is an evening where we show a variety of underwater films new and old, artistic and scientific. Some of the ISDHF inductees are invited to show a film, which is especially unique for guests as these ‘celebrity’ scuba divers are able to both introduce and answer questions about their film. This year, Divers Alert Network (DAN) is the presenting sponsor for the event and CITA looks forward to working with them on making the Film Festival another wonderful, educational event for the 300 attendees. Proceeds from the Underwater Film Festival go to support CITA’s marine conservation efforts, including the Dive 365 project.

2013 Underwater Film Festival and Photo Competition Registration Form

Thank you for your interest in participating in the underwater photo competition. Please register your participation on this form. Photographs can be uploaded through this entry form and all photos can be uploaded on a single registration.

PLEASE SUBMIT PHOTOS THAT DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR SIGNATURE TO ENSURE THE JUDGING IS COMPLETELY ANONYMOUS!! Photos that are submitted with a watermark signature will not be entered into the contest.

COMPETITION RULES & REGULATIONS:

1. There are five (5) categories for submission:

* Fish, Turtles and Stingrays: The fish, turtle(s) or stingray(s) must be the dominant subject in this category. (Focus, lighting and then composition are the primary criteria for any photo in this category.)

* Unusual (Any strange or rare creature, odd behaviour or amazing event. For this category, the rarity and impact of the subject matter is rated above composition, photo technique and beauty. Composition and technique still count, but are not as important as they are in the other categories. While almost anything goes, you must follow all rules below, including rule number 10 regarding alterations in photoshop.)

* Critters/Macro (The subject size for this category is around 10 inches on the longest side.) Beauty, Focus, lighting and composition are more important than rarity of subject in this category.

* Scenic (Photos that show the beauty of the living reef. It can include fish and divers but not wrecks, turtles or stingrays) in a subject area greater than around 16 inches on the longest side. Beauty, composition, lighting, and then sharpness are the criteria for judging this category.)

* Creative (no restrictions on image manipulation except that all photo elements of the image must be taken in Cayman by the person entering that image.)

2. Photos must be taken in Cayman, of Cayman native flora & fauna.

3. Submissions are accepted from both residents and tourists.

4. Photos that have previously won 1st, 2nd or 3rd in any other contest are not eligible. Honourable mentions that would now fit in the Unusual category may be resubmitted.

5. Photos that have been published are not eligible.

6. This contest is open to all photographers, amateur and professional.

7. Each person can enter a maximum of two (2) photos per category, but only one photo can win a first, second or third place.

8. Each category will be judged for First, Second and Third Place, with optional honourable mentions.

9. Judging will be based on technical quality (especially sharpness), creativity, and composition (including lighting). Rarity of the subject or event will be given minimal added consideration except for the category “Unusual” where it is the dominant consideration.

10. For all categories EXCEPT Creative, the following restrictions apply in terms of digital photo editing with software programs such as Picasa, Lightroom, PhotoShop, etc: If the judges are in doubt about the level of photoshop work, they reserve the right to ask you to submit the original photo.

No cloning is allowed except for removal of backscatter.

Adjustments are limited to the following:

Global and spot exposure adjustments via levels, curves, etc.

Global and spot Saturation and color adjustments within the range of the real colors. No change of color (for example from a yellow sponge to a red sponge) is accepted.

No specialty PhotoShop filters or effects may be used in any category except Creative.

Unless specified in a or b, all other post editing adjustments are restricted to the “Creative” Category.

11. Submissions should be in approximately the original image size and in JPEG format ONLY.

12. No submission will be judged that has a discernible watermark identifying the photographer.

13. Winners will be announced at the International Film Festival on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 (location TBA) in the Cayman Islands.

14. All photos submitted can and may be used by the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) for a period of 18 months from the time the image is submitted for the photo competition. The images may  only be used (with photo credit given) for promotional efforts directly relating to the  2013 and/or 2014 Underwater Film Festival and Underwater Photography Competition, including but not limited to the following: press releases and newspaper/magazine articles, advertisements, posters, web banners, blogs and social media postings.

15. The photographer must be the sole author and owner of the copyright of photos entered in to the competition. CITA respects photographers’ rights and does not claim copyright for images you submit to this contest, you will retain full copyright in each entry. Whenever your image is published by CITA, you will be credited. Failure to publish a credit due to error or oversight shall not be deemed a breach of this condition.

For any queries or questions on the competition rules, regulations and submissions please contact CITA at [email protected] or (345) 949 8522.

Deadline for submission is 12 noon (local time) on Friday, October 25, 2013. Late entries to this photo competition will NOT be accepted.

Go to CITA website for more information and to fill in form

http://www.cita.ky/photocompetition&blog=true&b_pagenumber=1