I participated as a beginner and I feel I was treated unfairly, sure.
Sorry to hear you lost the competition and believe you were treated unfairly. I certainly hope you learned something here (I'll make it clear it at the end if it is not already).
There were 6 statements there in the rules and only 3 are being applied.
IF this is fact then it should be easy enough to get someone to answer to it. I would be very surprised if this turns out to be true and not a fabrication (or misinterpretation on your part).
It is supposed to be "in the spirit of rewarding new photographers"
Yes, "new photographers" as defined within the entrance rules. Bryan (that was his name right?) fits those rules according to the people you questioned. IF Bryan lied or those people lied, then you have a legitimate beef.
........and it is patently obvious that a pro who wins pro contests every year.......
Again, those are topside and that is VERY different to shooting underwater. The only way this rule would fail was if this guy was a very accomplished diver (excellent buoyancy skills and good with task loading) as well as the accomplished photographer that he apparently was. However, all you will have done was point out a hole in the rules that can be corrected. I am sure the committee that defined the rules did not spend a year developing the most intricate of plots that would allow a buddy to win some small contest. If there is a flaw, then it can be corrected for next year if they see it the same way as you. Past is Past however.
.......and enters as a beginner......
Again, if he fits the qualifications as defined by the committee then he IS a beginner.
.......with the most expensive camera in the competition.......
You really know squat about photography if you believe having the most expensive camera guarantees a great shot every time. You could put me in the water with the most expensive camera and I could easily be outperformed on EVERY shot with someone with a cheap point and shoot if they know how to shoot. Look at what some divers in this forum can do with simple P&S cameras. Those shots would not improve necessarily with a more expensive camera.
.......and wins with 3 out of 3 entries has no business in the beginner category........
I could have sworn he too 1st, 2nd and Runner-up (so 3 out of 4) but maybe I misread someone's post. None the less, if he fits the criteria then he has business being in the beginner category.
.......He is a greedy and unethical guy.......
Wow, I would love to see how you went from photo contest to this. He entered into the category that best fit him by the wording of the rules. You are just a whiny loser that cannot accept that they lost.
.......But he was allowed to do that at the expense and discouragement of 19 beginners.
Expense? What expense? Did you have to pay to enter? If not then cut the dramatics. You are a diver. you got to dive. You paid for the dive not the pictures.
Discouragement? If anybody is discouraged it is because of the drivel you are spreading. Here is where YOU made the mistake. You did not read the rules before entering to see if they suited you. I have some photographs that I am very proud of and I would love to enter them into contests but I read the rules first. IF I do not like the rules then I do not enter. Perhaps you could try being constructive rather than destructive. Send a polite and well written letter to the arrangers of this contest and explain why you believe the entrance rules allow for a stacked deck. If they change the rules, then enter next year. If not, do not. Simple and without all this crying. As it stands, you are nothing more than a person that cannot handle losing.
