Bluewater Photo announces 2012 Shootout Winners

Bluewater Photo is proud to announce the winners of the second annual SoCal Shootout.

There were many excellent entries in all categories, with photographers / videographers from Santa Barbara to San Diego. The SoCal Shootout was judged by some of the top professional underwater photographers in Southern California: Andy Sallmon, Todd Winner, Mark Strickland, Roger Carlson, Jim Lyle, and Scott Gietler. You can check out all the winning images and videos at the event’s website. Congratulations to all the winners for showing what Southern California diving is all about.

The event had entries of images shot on San Diego wrecks and reefs, Orange County oil rigs, in the Santa Monica Bay, and at the Southern and Northern Channel Islands from September 14^th to 16^th 2012.

Bluewater Photo & Video is a full-service underwater camera store that offers underwater photography classes, workshops, gear, and trips. Located at 2501 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, they also have a very comprehensive website (click here), offering the latest underwater photo and video gear for every level of expertise, from absolute beginners to seasoned professionals. In addition to selling a wide range of products, Bluewater also has experienced, qualified staff who provide excellent service and the experience to help you select the best gear for your needs.

The best of show was Patrick Smith, with a beautiful Mola mola image. Many congratulations are due to all the winners.

Best of Shootout:

“Mola Portrait” by Patrick Smith

Wide-Angle:

1st: Nirupam Nigum
2^nd: Allison Vitsky
3^rd: Kelli Dickinson
4^th: Ron Watkins
5^th: Allison Vitsky
HM: Brent Durand, Michael Zeigler

Macro:

1^st: Brian McHugh
2^nd: Bill Pottinger
3^rd: Ron Watkins
4^th: Nayan Savla
5^th: Roeland Papen
HM: Doug Klug, Nirupam Nigam

Behavior:

1^st: Allison Vitsky
2^nd: Mark Davidson
3^rd: Gerard Lorenzo
4^th: David Andrew
HM: Ron Watkins

Portrait:

1^st: Roeland Papen
2^nd: Ron Watkins
3^rd: Kelli Dickinson
4^th: Michelle Hoalton
HM: Todd Bretl, John Ochs

Compact Wide-angle

1^st: Patrick Smith
2^nd: Luz Martinez
3^rd: Ann Gebhart

Compact Macro

1^st: David Thompson
2^nd: Cindy Shaw
3^rd: Luz Martinez
HM: Patrick Smith

Compact Behavior:

1^st: Cindy Shaw
2^nd: Patrick Smith
3^rd: Nick Hedges

Compact Portrait:

1^st: Patrick Smith
2^nd: Stephen Zech
3^rd: Patrick Smith
4^th: David Thompson

Unedited Video:

1^st: Roger Uzun, “Kelp Oddities”
2^nd: Walter Marti, “Octopus eggs”
3^rd: Lawrence Wang, “Life on the rigs”
HM: Roger Uzun, “Territorial”

Check out all the winning images and videos at the Bluewater Photo event’s website.