Epson Red Sea 2008 Competition Webcast

Today was the first day of the Epson Red Sea 2008 competition, which is held for the 4th year in a row at the coast of Eilat, Israel. Prizes this year are valued over $80,000 and include valuable checks, diving trips to dreamy destinations, expensive diving and underwater photography equipment, and much more.

The Epson Red Sea event is divided into two main categories. The first is called "Images of the World", and participants in this category were allowed to submit images that were shot anytime anywhere in the world, without even attending the competition.

The second category is called "Eilat Shoot Out", and participants in this category will submit only images that were taken during the three days of the competition in Eilat. Up until now, over 100 photographers from all over the world arrived to Eilat especially in order to take part in this competition. Perhaps this has to do with the fact that the first prize in the "Eilat Shoot Out" category is valued not less than $25,000, while other winners in this section are greatly awarded as well.

Some major upgrades have been introduced since last year’s competition. The Manta diving center, where the Epson Red Sea takes place, has been dramatically renovated, the computers room, specially established for this event, was equipped with high technology Apple screens and keyboards and innovative categories have been introduced to this year’s competition.

Since the "Eilat Shoot Out" is a three days only opportunity, photographers who participate in this category do not have any time to waste. The most motivated ones even geared up the night before and rushed into the water at midnight, the official time in which photographers are allowed to start taking their winning shots. Based on my experience in previous competitions, participants will spend most of those three days underwater and by the end of the week, each and one of them will be able to draw a very accurate map of the area and it’s marine life, probably even better than what most diving instructors who work in this region will ever be able to do.

The Manta diving center, where the competition takes place, was extremely busy today, as underwater photography equipment of all kinds, sizes and brands was spread all over the place. It didn’t take long till satisfied photographers came out of the water, proudly exhibiting their images of unique and hard to be found underwater living creatures. Although it is quite obvious that such a question should never be asked, if you did happen to (rudely) investigate a photographer regarding the location of his rare looking frog fish, in the best scenario, you were granted with a polite smile in response. Aside from that, a friendly atmosphere stated among the photographers as they assisted each other with gearing up, getting familiar with the area and fixing equipment errors.

In the afternoon a "Happy Hour" was announced and free beer and snacks were offered to all participants, some of them, clearly, still in their wetsuits. This is one of the best parts of the day for many of the photographers, as it is a great chance for them to finally take a break, rest a little, ease up and mingle with other photographers. This way or another, one could never have been mistaken regarding the main theme of this event, as cameras were raised and pointed everywhere even during the happy hour.

Driven by the (legitimate) hope that beer enhances creativity, after having a few drinks, most of the photographers rushed back into the water. Late at night, it is still quite busy in the diving center, and I can’t help but being amused with the thought that while writing this report, someone might have just taken his $25,000 winning shot.

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