Chip,
We took that into consideration and because of the limited resources we have at this point including manpower we decided to have all underwater pictures first. And considering that this will be our first competition, we did not want to get swamped with more top side pictures than underwater.
Thanks for your suggestion and we will definitely have a competition for topside shots of Mabini and Tingloy before the year ends.
More information about the competition.
The 1st Annual Mabini Digital Underwater Shootout (MAD about US) will be held from the 18th till the 25 of February.
Here is a brief about the competition:
1. To help promote the awareness, understanding and appreciation of the diversity of the underwater world in Mabini and Tingloy and the need to preserve it
2. To help promote Mabini as a true tourist destination by improving services and standards of ALL OPERATORS but not limited to resort and boat. Initially to the needs of underwater photographers and eventually to all kinds of guests locally and international.
3. To help promote as well as stimulate and improve standards of underwater photography
This will be the first of its kind in Mabini (Anilao) if not in the Philippines and should attract entrants from all over the globe, of all ages and a chance to meet probably, professional photographers.
The organizing committee of MAD about US will recommend ALL OPERATORS to improve their standard of individualized service specially for this event to cater to underwater photographers and if applicable, to their family members.
Photographers may acquire the services of OPERATORS of their choice. Should entrants need information on OPERATORS, only OPERATORS registered with the Mabini Tourism Office will be listed.
There are three categories:
Novice - This class is for photographers who do not use external strobes or lights for their camera. They are just beginning to learn how to take underwater pictures.
Intermediate - Photographers using external strobes and have been taking pictures for more than 1 year but have not had any of their works published.
Open - for all photographers
General Diving Conduct:
1. Diving and taking pictures is not a right. It is a privilege. So is taking underwater pictures. Dive with humility and be aware of the underwater environment. Divers exhibiting disregard for the underwater environment and it’s inhabitants maybe disqualified.
2. Diving while taking photographs requires skill in trim and buoyancy. LEARN AND PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.
3. Be aware of safety diving practices. ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS MUST CARRY A SURFACE MARKER BUOY WHILE DIVING.
4. Be considerate of other photographers. If someone is taking a picture, stay a respectable distance. Wait for the photographer to finish and then approach.
5. Usually, some dive operators will allow a photographer around 2 minutes to stay with a subject. Since this is a contest, we will allow more time for each subject to be taken WITHOUT ignoring safety of the group and the environment.
And still more to come.
