Epson Red Sea 2009

As expected, there was chaos in the computer room this morning. Participants had to choose their best images and to submit them to the competition and since such fateful decisions are never easy to be made, most of them did not succeed to finish up with this task the night before and had to cope with it under a tight timeframe this morning. The tension was so high and photographers were so concerned, that if someone threw out a joke, trying to lighten up the atmosphere, he would receive such imitating looks that left him no option but to politely sit down and thank god that there are no tomatoes in the room. Wondering around the screens, I must admit that the competition is extremely tough this year. Amazing images that could easily be considered as definite winners in previous years, might not even get the chance to be nominated for a prize this year, only because there are SO MANY breath taking photographs. I don’t know if it’s because cameras technology is improving, photographers are gaining more experience underwater or participants are trying harder to forgo images submitted the year before, but from year to year, becoming a winner at the Epson Red Sea competition turns out to be a more and more challenging mission. I admit thanking god today that I don’t photograph fish, as I’m not sure I would have managed to deal with all this competition!!

After making their final calls, photographers finally started their two days vacation, till the winning ceremony tomorrow night. Whether you are happy with your choices or not, the fact that it’s no longer in your hands provides you with a true sense of freedom. Finally, instead of black wetsuits, everybody came out with their colorful bathing suits and met on the beach or near the pool, wherever there is a sun bed to lie down on. After all, if someone’s going to be called up on stage tomorrow, he’d rather look tanned, not only because it looks good, but mainly because the huge check features a bright color, and we do want some contrast in that image of the winner holding it…

In the afternoon, the happy hour was upgraded to a Cyprus evening. A countless amount of Zivania and Uzo bottles were consumed and happy Cyprus music was played. Although at the beginning it seemed like a conference of serious, professional businessmen, once enough alcohol was consumed, a crazy party began and lasted for hours. Everybody was dancing, and those who happened to rest for a moment at the side, were immediately provided with another glass of Zivania in order to ensure that this rest does not last too long. Disposable cameras were handed out at the dance floor and at some point, even masks and snorkels. So by the time the evening has reached its peak, you get a whole bunch of crazy divers, wearing masks and snorkels, taking pictures with disposable cameras and dancing to the sounds of the Bouzouki. Call me naïve, but I dare to suggest the option that nobody was thinking about competition and prizes at that time.

Tomorrow evening, the winning ceremony takes place at the Isrotel Yam-Suf hotel in Eilat and someone is going home with a $25,000 prize. Stick around to find out who those lucky fellows are and how pretty and smiley a photographer looks when attached to a huge carton check…

• Epson Red Sea 2010 Live Daily Reports
• Fish of the Year - Epson Red Sea 2009
• Epson Red Sea 2008 Competition Webcast
• Epson Red Sea 2008 - World of Underwater Images