Wetpixel has launched its 2011 Picture of the Year contest. This allows the public to vote for their favorites from all 51 winners of the Wetpixel (POTW) Picture of the Week contest for 2011. The POTW contest never ceases to amaze with the quality, diversity and talent that it produces. The public vote for the Picture of the Year will start today, and run through until 28 February 2012, after which the winners will be announced.

The contest has a fantastic selection of prizes available. Solmar V has offered a trip aboard their luxury liveaboard as first prize. Ikelite, who also kindly provide the prizes for each and every POTW competition, has donated a DS161 strobe for the entry voted into second place. Nauticam USA has provided a $1,000 gift voucher for the third placed image, and Reef Photo and Video of Fort Lauderdale, Florida has generously given gift vouchers for $500 and $250 for fourth and fifth placed images respectively.

The contest’s voting page is open now so please head on over and cast a vote for your favorite images of 2011.

Continue Reading

Beneath the Sea (BTS) has announced that they have extended the deadline for applications for the BTS/Howard and Michelle Hall “Artist-in-Residence” Grant. The grant is to be awarded to an Artist-in-Residence currently developing an underwater video project and which the $1,000 additional funding on offer would aid in the completion of a final product. The completed video to be shown at appropriate venues throughout the Beneath the Sea weekend.

The new deadline is 15 February 2012.

Continue Reading

Tokina Japan has announced a new version of its 11-16mm wide-angle lens. The AT-X 11-16 f/2.8 PRO DX II has an aspherical element, a new coating for improved performance and a SD-M (Silent Drive-Module) autofocus motor (AF-S equivalent) so it is usable with Nikon SLR cameras that don’t have an integrated AF motor (D3100, D5100). The lens contains nine aperture blades, and is constructed of 13 elements in 11 groups with a filter size of 77mm. Minimum focus distance is 0.3m (11.8”) so it will need a diopter for use with a dome port. The Nikon version is expected to start shipping in March with the Canon version to follow in July. The Japanese price is listed at 90,000 yen.

Continue Reading

The Liquid Capture: Masters of Underwater Photography exhibition is calling for entries to be submitted for their 2012 contest. The exhibition will be held at the Oceanside Museum of Art, Oceanside, California and will feature the top 25 entries, along with 25 pictures selected by the jurors. Contest categories include: Ocean Environment Underwater, Macro, Diver, Ocean Environment Above Water, Marine Mammals and Submersion, which is a creative look at diving. Judges include Andrew Sallmon, Stuart Westmorland, Yoshi Hirata and Eric Hanauer.

Full details, rules and procedures for entry are on the contest’s website and the deadline for entries is 4 March, 2012.

Continue Reading

Wetpixel wishes all those who celebrate the Lunar New Year a very happy new year of the Dragon (Eel!).

恭喜發財,萬事如意,主里蒙恩! 祝大家龍年進歩!
Cung hỉ phát tài, Sức khoẻ dồi dào,Vạn sự như ý
새해 복 많이 받으세요

Continue Reading