Scubadive West’s Inagural Photo Rally was a resounding success, as underwater photographers competed for great prizes in three categories: Wide Angle, Macro and Best Novel Photograph.

When you see the photos you’ll agree that there is some real talent for underwater photography in Ireland!

Jewel Anemones on the Julia T by Maja Stankovski

Maja’s photo above, taken on Saturday afternoon at the Julia T shipwreck gives a flavour of the abundant life and colours captured during the photo rally.

All the photos were taken here on boat dives and shore dives from Scubadive West over the October Bank Holiday weekend. On Friday we had calm seas, no swell and spectacular visibility. Saturday morning brought a brief spell where the Southerly wind hit Gale force 8, it soon calmed down again and we were able to enjoy dives at Doonee Beacon and the Julia T , with visibility of 15 metres or greater and abundant marine life. The boat dives offered great opportunities for framing Wide angle shots upwards into the clear water while other competitors foraged for that winning Macro or Novel photo. Meanwhile shore divers snapped up photos in all categories.

And the winners are….

Wide Angle Category

1st Place

Jullia T by Sarah Tallon

Sarah’s beautiful image captures the essence of Wide Angle photography, with the Julia T perfectly framed centre shot. A crisp clear Sandalled Anemone jumping out of the foreground, Plumose Anemone are clearly visible along the hull and finally not one, but two divers!.. a long way off in the background giving real depth of field to the image. A deserving winner of the Island Dive Safari 2014, well done Sarah!

Photo taken on Saturday,  Julia T shipwreck.

2nd Place

Spider Crab by Sarah Tallon

As divers we marvel at the fish, crustaceans and anemones that can live upside down, … often they do so to take advantage of prime locations for nutrients and food while avoiding silt and sand. Great lighting and perspective in this photograph, well done again Sarah! winning 2nd prize of a Fourth Element Core Bodywarmer.

Photo taken on Saturday,  Julia T shipwreck.

3rd Place

Davit by Kieran Tolan

The 60 footer Wreck is very well captured here, with the industrious looking Davit framing the background and a cluster of well lit Plumose Anemones filling the foreground. Great depth of field achieved, well done Kieran! winner of the Scubapro Hoodie Sweatshirt 50^th Year Special Edition.

Photo taken on Saturday at the shore dive, Scubadive West.

Macro Photograph Category

1st Place

Flabellina Verrucosa with a Friend

Maja shows us how to think small!  Focusing in with super macro, she opens our eyes to a world of miniature creatures. The incredibly colourful and well lit Nudibranch takes centre stage and is at the limit of what most of us observe on our dives. The fascinating Skeleton Shrimp to the right of the Nudibranch is other-worldly and looks like one of H.R. Giger’s Aliens. Well done Maja, winner of the Archon D20 Professional Dive Light.

Photo taken on Saturday at Doonee Beacon.

2nd Place

You say something? by Niall Geraghty

Niall’s patience paid off as he caught this curious Blenny peering out from a small reef of tube worms. Well done Niall, who wins Dinner for Two at Maol Reidh Hotel.

Photo taken on Saturday at the shore dive, Scubadive West.

3rd Place

Explosion by Dan Mc Auley

Dan’s clear shot of a burrowing anemone shows it’s true colours. In the blink of an eye this anemone can retract fully into its soft tube and disappear. With quick camera work and good framing Dan wins the Fourth Element super warm Hoodie with Scubadive West logo and the Fourth Element polartec Hat.

Photo taken on Saturday at the shore dive, Scubadive West.

Best Novel Photograph Category

1st Place

Skeleton Shrimp Squabble by Maja Stankovski

We return to our new found micro-world for a battle of the sexes! A male and female skeleton shrimp squabble on a hydroid stem. The crisp, clear photograph looks worthy of narration by David Attenborough. Maja wins Dinner for two at Renvyle House Hotel.

Photo taken on Saturday at Doonee Beacon.

2nd Place

Haloween Crab by Niall Geraghty

Niall’s atmospheric and timely image captures the essence of the Novel Photograph, with his spooky velvet crab. Well done Niall who wins a Freediving Course with Feargus Callagy.

Photo taken on Saturday at the shore dive, Scubadive West.

3rd Place

Fast Food by Dan McAuley

Dan snaps up 3rd place in the Novel Photograph category with a scallop that appears to have mastered balancing upright. That should scare away the hungry starfish! Well done Dan who wins the Suunto rucksack full of goodies.

Photo taken on Saturday at the shore dive, Scubadive West.

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We hope you enjoyed looking at the photos, next time grab a camera and join in!

The competitors had a great time and won some great prizes.

Happy snappers

Win

Win

A huge thank you to the sponsors, Suunto, Scubapro Uwatec, Fourth Element, Archon Dive Lights, Renvyle House Hotel, Maol Reidh Hotel, Freedive Ireland and Scubadive West.

Our next Photo Rally will be during October 2014 so get practicing!

Digital UnderWater Photography Course

Drysuit Diver Course

Computers, Compasses and Cameras

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call +353 (0)95 43922