2011 Winning Photos

Slideshow
- 2011 Photo Contest Winning Photos

Thank you to everyone who entered our 2011 Photo Competition. This year we were impressed with the number of sidemount photos received. Sidemount diving has taken the scuba world by storm and it was certainly evident in the photo submissions we received!

Winning photos were selected based on their ability to inspire us, the quality of the photography and adaptability to our website format. All winning photos followed our guidelines of showcasing divers and more importantly, Dive Rite divers. Thanks everyone!

Look for winning photographs throughout our website and on our homepage slideshow throughout 2011 and 2012.

First Prize

O2ptima diver Jonathan Iseson decompresses under the Sidekick after a long dive on the wreck of the tanker COIMBRA which was the second ship torpedoed in American waters in WWII. The COIMBRA is in 190 fsw 30 miles off Long Island, NY. Brandon McWilliams, 2011 Photo Contest Winner Image of O2ptima diver Jonathan Iseson decompresses under the Sidekick after a long dive on the wreck of the tanker COIMBRA which was the second ship torpedoed in American waters in WWII. The COIMBRA is in 190 fsw 30 miles off Long Island, NY.

Image of O2ptima diver Jonathan Iseson decompresses under the Sidekick after a long dive on the wreck of the tanker COIMBRA which was the second ship torpedoed in American waters in WWII. The COIMBRA is in 190 fsw 30 miles off Long Island, NY.

This is Brandon McWilliams second time to be at the top ranks of our photo contest after also winning in 2008. Brandon is an amateur photographer who began diving in 2002 and spends most of his time underwater diving shipwrecks off the eastern coast of the USA on his rebreather.

Why we like this photo? Because the juxtoposition of the larger-than-life dealer bobbing below the hulking dive boat gives us the chills! The diver is simultaneously a skilled technical giant and a vulnerable tiny speck within the vast ocean.

First Prize

Local sidemount diver, Richard Dreher, heads down into the cavern to execute a primary tie off before heading into Jug Hole cave system in North Florida. There is a bit of a restriction at the main line so tying off is akin to swimming up river as the divers will fight the flow in order to maintain their position. James Killion 2011 Photo Contest Winner Image of Local sidemount diver, Richard Dreher, heads down into the cavern to execute a primary tie off before heading into Jug Hole cave system in North Florida. There is a bit of a restriction at the main line so tying off is akin to swimming up river as the divers will fight the flow in order to maintain their position.

Image of Local sidemount diver, Richard Dreher, heads down into the cavern to execute a primary tie off before heading into Jug Hole cave system in North Florida. There is a bit of a restriction at the main line so tying off is akin to swimming up river as the divers will fight the flow in order to maintain their position.

This is James Killion's first time entering our photo contest. A professional filmmaker and photographer both topside and underwater, James started diving in 2005 and began cave diving in 2008. He was inspired to take his cameras underwater after his first dives in the Floria Keys. He says that no matter where you are underwater there is a story happening that needs to be documented.

Why we chose his shot? This shot is beautiful in its clarity of subject and deep, brooding colors. It sets a tone for the richness that cave diving has to offer and shows off the gorgeous talent of a sidemount diver. The symmetry of color, scenery and mood simply captured us. We are cave divers at heart and found this particular shot to inspire us to get wet.

Second Prize

Trimix instructor Rick Kruzel explores the hull of the Dunderberg, lying at 155 feet off the coast of Harbor Beach, Michigan in chilly 40 degree Lake Huron water. Launched at Detroit in 1867, the Dunderberg is a three-masted schooner that was hit by the steamer Empire State with a large crack in the starboard side the result. Andy Morrison, 2011 Photo Contest Winner Image of Trimix instructor Rick Kruzel explores the hull of the Dunderberg, lying at 155 feet off the coast of Harbor Beach, Michigan in chilly 40 degree Lake Huron water. Launched at Detroit in 1867, the Dunderberg is a three-masted schooner that was hit by the steamer Empire State with a large crack in the starboard side the result.

Image of Trimix instructor Rick Kruzel explores the hull of the Dunderberg, lying at 155 feet off the coast of Harbor Beach, Michigan in chilly 40 degree Lake Huron water. Launched at Detroit in 1867, the Dunderberg is a three-masted schooner that was hit by the steamer Empire State with a large crack in the starboard side the result.

You've probably seen Andy Morrison's work before in one of the popular scuba magazines. Andy is one of our favorite underwater pros and actually started diving in 2001 with the goal of taking a break from photography. However, this Great Lakes technical diver couldn't stand not getting shots of his favorite shipwrecks and thus his underwater career was born. Andy currently shoots a Canon 50D in Subal housing, Tokina 10-17 fisheye, and two, sometimes three Ikelite DS-125 strobes. However, the shot above was taken with ambient light only.

This shot grabbed us because it is virtually 3D! The schooner mast jutting out the top of the frame is awesome and we can see the diver's curiosity as he explores the outside of the wreck, making us want to dive the Great Lakes sooner rather than later.

Second Prize

Giant red Gorgonia fan coral, Papua New Guinea Noam Kortler, 2011 Photo Contest Winner Image of Giant red Gorgonia fan coral, Papua New Guinea

Noam Kortler is an amateur photographer who needs to turn pro. Certified in 2005, he works as a PADI Master Instructor in Eilat Israel where he operates Nemo Divers dive center on the Red Sea.

Why we love this shot? The gigantic sea fan is gorgeous and reminds us of the incredible marine life beneath the sea. The color is so dramatic and well captured, we couldn't turn our eyes away.

Second Prize

Diver Anthony Tedeschi and partner dive a submerged plane in Dutch Springs Quarry, PA Becky Kagan Schott, 2011 Photo Contest Winner Image of Diver Anthony Tedeschi and partner dive a submerged plane in Dutch Springs Quarry, PA

Image of Diver Anthony Tedeschi and partner dive a submerged plane in Dutch Springs Quarry, PA

Becky Kagan Schott is a two-time winner of our photo competition having won last year as well. Becky is an incredible pro who shoots both still photography and video with equal talent. Certified at the age of 12 in 1994, Becky can be found diving her rebreather all over the world. Most frequently she is underwater in Florida & the Caribbean during the winter months and the Great Lakes and northeast coast in the summer.

This shot is a beautiful depiction of the grace and awe found in submerged airplanes. The striking glow of the plane captured our imagination and gave the plane life as the divers glide past. Becky tells us that she was able to put a fresh spin on the popular Dutch Springs Quarry dive by placing slave strobes inside the plane to make it pop and take on an edgier look. Becky shot a Nikon D700 in an Aquatica housing with 24mm Nikkor lens, dual inon Z-240 strobes, two slave strobes and two wonderfully patient models!

Third Prize

Edd Sorenson (near) and Jim Clark (far) checking out newly explored passage in Hole in the Wall on Merrits Mill Pond, Marianna, FL Ben Martinez, 2011 Photo Contest Winner Image of Edd Sorenson (near) and Jim Clark (far) checking out newly explored passage in Hole in the Wall on Merrits Mill Pond, Marianna, FL

Image of Edd Sorenson (near) and Jim Clark (far) checking out newly explored passage in Hole in the Wall on Merrits Mill Pond, Marianna, FL

Resident Floridian, Ben Martinez, first began diving in 1995. As an amateur photographer and avid sidemount diver, he is mostly seen gliding about Florida's smaller cave systems.

This shot captures the mystery of cave diving as the curious-at-heart simply ache to see what is just beyond the next bend of that gorgeous limestone tunnel. Wonderfully lit to show off both divers and cave meant we just had to move this shot to our Top Ten.

Third Prize

O2ptima rebreather diver, Kah Meng Ng, enters the water for a shore dive at the island Pulau Redang in Malaysia. Kah How Ng 2011 Photo Contest Winner Image of
O2ptima rebreather diver, Kah Meng Ng, enters the water for a shore dive at the island Pulau Redang in Malaysia.

Image of
O2ptima rebreather diver, Kah Meng Ng, enters the water for a shore dive at the island Pulau Redang in Malaysia.

The Ng brothers were first certified in 2003 and this is their first entry in our photo competition. Amateur photographer Kah How took this shot of his brother, Kah Meng and the duo can be seen diving their rebreathers in the Asian waters around Malaysia and Indonesia.

We love the spontaneity of this photo and how it exemplifies the adventure and freedom of rebreather diving. The ocean spray gives the impression of movement as the diver confidently charges off into the ocean and leaves the viewer wondering what underwater realm he will find.

Third Prize

CCR diver, Ryan Battles, enters the bloody water of Devil's Ear at Ginnie Springs, FL. The strong flow of this cave system mixes clear turquoise water with the brown tannic water of the adjacent river; the rainbow of colors is the resultant scene as the sun's light hits the water. Damien Siviero, 2011 Photo Contest Winner Image of CCR diver, Ryan Battles, enters the bloody water of Devil's Ear at Ginnie Springs, FL. The strong flow of this cave system mixes clear turquoise water with the brown tannic water of the adjacent river; the rainbow of colors is the resultant scene as the sun's light hits the water.

Image of CCR diver, Ryan Battles, enters the bloody water of Devil's Ear at Ginnie Springs, FL. The strong flow of this cave system mixes clear turquoise water with the brown tannic water of the adjacent river; the rainbow of colors is the resultant scene as the sun's light hits the water.

Damien Siviero is also a multiple award winner in our photo contest having also won in 2009. This amateur photographer is an avid technical diver who captures the reality shots we like. He began diving in 1995 and is typically seen diving off the eastern Australian coast on his rebreather. His winning photo was shot with a Canon7D with Aquatica Housing, Tokina 10-17mm using natural light.

Why we like his shot? Because this rainbow mix of tannic water is briliantly unexpected for an underwater shot. Plus it captures one of our favorite dive spots at its most unusual, yet is easily recognized by everyone familiar with the Devil's Cave System at Ginnie Springs.

Third Prize

Diver Oliver Morgan swims Taina Cave with his team in the Dominican Republic. Manuel Herrera, 2011 Photo Contest Winner Image of Diver Oliver Morgan swims Taina Cave with his team in the Dominican Republic.

Image of Diver Oliver Morgan swims Taina Cave with his team in the Dominican Republic.

Instructor and amateur photographer, Manuel Herrera, took this shot in one of the most popular caves in the Dominican Republic. Certified in 2005, Manuel is frequently diving Taina, the cave he was certified at, along with spots in Pueto Cortes, Honduras. Manuel shot a Canon 7D with Canon 10-22 wide angle lens, Ikelite housing and Ikelite 161 and 160 strobes.

This shot was a staff favorite because it shows so well the team aspect of technical diving. As the divers silently swim in single file formation into the cave, images are conjured up in our minds of what beauty they may find, what mission they may be on and the stories they will share afterwards. A lovely depiction of a talented team of divers.

Third Prize

Anna Munter, taking her Nomad JT for it's maiden cave dive in Iddlebiddy Cave, Mt Gambier, South Australia Dean Chamberlain, 2011 Photo Contest Winner Image of Anna Munter, taking her Nomad JT for it's maiden cave dive in Iddlebiddy Cave, Mt Gambier, South Australia

Image of Anna Munter, taking her Nomad JT for it's maiden cave dive in Iddlebiddy Cave, Mt Gambier, South Australia

Marine ecologist, Dean Chamberlain, was first certified in 1991. An amateur photographer, was inspired to begin taking photos once he started to cave dive and the camera simply gave him another reason to jump in the water. You'll find Dean down under sidemounting his Nomad in Australia's amazing cave systems or diving his O2ptima in the Victorian ocean.

This shot was taken on a the maiden cave diving voyage for Dean and Anna's Nomad JTs. Iddlebiddy offers long wide tunnels, beautiful scenery and plenty of small passages for running the JT through its paces. Dean shot a EOS 7D in Aquatica housing with 2x Inon Z240 strobes. Anna is carrying a Sea & Sea YS90DX strobe with slave sensor.