Raja Ampat Diving - Underwater Photography Contest Winners

 

SMY Ondina 2008 Underwater Photography Contest Winner
Winning photos were created on our 2008 Raja Ampat Diving Trips
Note: Any diver traveling with SMY Ondina in 2008 was eligible to enter photos taken during their trip.

underwater photography contest winners
underwater photography contest winners
underwater photography contest winners

First Place, Underwater Photography Contest
"Two Worlds Fusion" Photo Collection
Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia
Photo 1: Pier; Photo 2: Pier Split Over/Under; Photo 3: Mangroves

 

First Place Photo Contest Winner (Free trip!)

Adriano Morettin, Trieste, Italy

For Adriano's three wide angle photo series the judges named "Two Worlds Fusion".

Adriano shot a Nikon D2X in a Seacam housing.

"I need to make the maximum dives possible during the cruise to take the best photos possible in long quiet dives, without strong current, without nagging guides. Most important are the guides that should find and show to me the most creatures possible."

Before the trip, Adriano wrote "For me this is the seventh time in Indonesia to take underwater pictures and so my goals are to take no usual photos of usual creatures, but extraordinary photos of special creature in particular situations, like for example Harlequin Shrimp (my favourite), Mandarin fish, Periclimenes Imperator on Spanish Dancer and so on."

We saw wonderful macro images from Adriano however it was his eye and skill for the wide scenes that impressed all of us during the trip and apparently the judges agreed!

After the trip, Adriano emailed: "I have seen my pictures with calm on my home wide screen and now I'm more satisfied than on board; this trip for me has been exceptional !!!!! Also I want to thank Norberto, Jerry and Aan, three dive guides truly very good. Deb and Tony have an exceptional organization, espeically for the diving: many compliments sincerely for you. I hope to repeat a trip with you."

 

Adriano was on our Nov. 13-24, 2008 Raja Ampat trip.

   
 
SMY Ondina 2007 Underwater Photography Contest Winners

Winning photos were created on our 2007 Raja Ampat Diving Trips
Incredible - 4 years in a row to win!! Well done !

Note: Any diver traveling with SMY Ondina in 2007 was eligible to enter.

underwater photography contest winners

First Place, Underwater Photography Contest
Peeping Mandarin
Ambon, Indonesia

 

First Place (Free trip!)

Amaury Cruz (Amaury's Underwater Photography)

For his photo 'Peeping Mandarin'.

Amaury wrote " I guess you could say 'I told you so'. It's fantastic to win a contest with such tough competition. As I recall, that Mandarin was the first or second photo I took on that trip!"

Jury Comments: Very expressive. The colours over black, the out of focus fins force you to look to the face of this difficult fish to shoot. It just creates an amazing 3D effect.

All 4 judges voted Amaury's Mandarin first!

Amaury and wife Connie, were on our May 2007 Ambon to Raja Ampat trip.

   

underwater photography contest winners
underwater photography contest winners

Second Place Underwater Photography Contest
Colours Over Black
Northwest Waigeo & Misool, Raja Ampat

 

Second Place (50% discount trip!)

Linda Ianniello (Linda's Underwater Photography)

For her two macro photos.

Jury Comments: The chromatic effects, the composition, the black background... they are just like poems!

Linda was on our Nov. 8-19, 2007 Raja Ampat trip.

 

Bruce Yates placed 3rd in the 2007 Contest with photo from his trip.

 

 
SMY Ondina 2006 Underwater Photography Contest Winner
Winning photos were created on our 2006 Raja Ampat Diving Trips

Note: Any diver traveling with SMY Ondina in 2006 was eligible to enter.

Once again, OUR trip participants take the prizes. We are feeling smug.

underwater photography contest winners

First Place, Underwater Photography Contest
A Colorful Mirage
Misool, Raja Ampat

 

First Place (Free trip!)

Bruce Magun

For his photo 'A Colorful Mirage'.

Bruce shot a Canon 20D in an Ikelite housing, Ikelite DS125 strobes, 10-22 mm lens.

Bruce wrote " I took it the day we spent most of the time in the shallows (around 10 to 20 feet) while you were shooting video of the fish swarms.  I was chasing big angelfish and sweetlips."

Bruce was on our Nov. 6, 2006 Raja Ampat trip.

   

underwater photography contest winners

Third Place Underwater Photography Contest
Pygmy Seahorse Tandum
Northwest Waigeo, Raja Ampat

 

Third Place (10% discount trip!)

Michael Pollack (Michael's Website)

Equipment: Canon 5D (digital) in Subal housing. 

Mike, and wife Alison were on our Nov. 20, 2006 Raja Ampat trip.

 
SMY Ondina 2005 Underwater Photography Contest Winner
Winning photos were created on our 2005 Raja Ampat Diving Trips
Note: Any diver traveling with SMY Ondina in 2005 was eligible to enter.

underwater photography contest winners

First Place, Underwater Photography Contest
Filtered Sunlight & Wire Coral Shrimp
Photo Collection

 

First Place (Free trip!)

Hal Everett (Hal's Website)

For his two photos, wide angle & macro. 'Filtered Sunlight' and 'Wire Coral Shrimp'.

Hal shot a Nikon D2X.

Hal was on our Nov. 3, 2005 Raja Ampat trip.

underwater photography contest winners

First Place, Underwater Photography Contest
Filtered Sunlight & Wire Coral Shrimp
Photo Collection

   
 
SMY Ondina 2004 Underwater Photography Contest Winners
Both winners were on our 2004 Raja Ampat Diving Trips
Note: Any diver traveling with SMY Ondina in 2004 was eligible to enter.

underwater photography contest winners

First Place, Underwater Photography Contest
Map Puffer & Golden Trevally Escort
Sorong Harbor

First Place (Free trip!)

Kirk Cantrell (Kirk's Website)

Kirk Says: "I came across this two foot long Map Puffer with its escort of Golden Trevallys in shallow water.  The visibility at the location was very bad.  I was stuck with my 105mm macro lens and could not get in as close as I wanted.  Through persistent shadowing of the relatively slow moving puffer I was able to get this shot with the Trevallys on my side of the puffer for a nice composition."

Canon Digital Rebel in Ikelite housing, two DS-125 strobes, Tv 1/60, Av 16, ISO 200, and 105mm macro lens.

Kirk was on our Nov. 11, 2004 Raja Ampat trip.

   

underwater photography contest winners

Second Place Underwater Photography Contest
Zebra Crab on Fire Urchin
Northwest Waigeo, Raja Ampat

 

Second Place (50% trip!)

Mike Oelrich (Mike's R4 Webpages)

Equipment: Canon 10D in Sea and Sea housing, two DS-125 strobes. 

Mike was on our Nov. 11, 2004 Raja Ampat trip.

underwater photography from Raja Ampat

Kirk Cantrell in Raja Ampat

raja ampat underwater photos

Mike Oelrich in Raja Ampat

 

  2008 -2009 Photographers'
Liveaboard Trips
Underwater Photography Trips

2008:

 

Sorong - Halmahera (Banca) - Bitung (Lembeh Strait):
May 16-28, 12 nts, $3895 pp

Sorong-Sorong (11nt) trips, $3655pp:
1. May  2-13
2. Oct 30- Nov 10
3. Nov 13-24

 

2009:

 

Apr 22 - May 4, 12 nts (Sorong - Sorong)
May 8 - May 20, 12 nts (Sorong - Halmahera - Lembeh)

Oct 29 - Nov 9, 11 nts (FakFak - Sorong)
Nov 12 - Nov 23, 11 nts (Sorong - Sorong)
Nov 26 - Dec 7, 11 nts (Sorong - Sorong)

2009 Trips, Cost per person:
11 nts - $3755, 12 nts $4095

  WHERE: Raja Ampat Islands, Irian Jaya (West Papua) Indonesia.. the far west end of New Guinea Island
  HOW: Indonesian liveaboard "SMY Ondina" with extra dives, services, menu, and special itinerary
  WHY: Special trips dedicated to producing top quality underwater photos, escorted by experienced Raja Ampat guides, limited participation.
  COST: as above, per person, boat only. Inquire for guaranteed single cabin, and air flights. more info
  email us about
Raja Ampat Liveaboard trips
   
 
More Images & Photo Galleries
new2004 Raja Ampat Trip Galleries
Raja Ampat Underwater Pictures, Irian Jaya Gallery 1
Raja Ampat Diving West Papau Gallery 2
Raja Ampat Liveaboard Pictures

 

2006 / 2007 Raja Ampat Dive Trip Information

 

The TRIP:

Healthy reefs, unusual reef structures and dive sites. Unusual dive sites and the most diverse marine life area ever recorded. Huge schools of fish: barracuda, surgeonfish, fusiliers, batfish, sweetlips... macro creatures: blue-ring octopus, pygmy seahorses, double ended pipefish, shrimp gobies, nudibranchs, and loads of reef fish. Beautiful unspoiled topside scenery.

This is a trip you will never forget.

About US and the TRIP:

We've spent over 26 weeks creating images on 4+ dives per day in Raja Ampat over the past 7 years and know the reefs and conditions necessary for optimal image making. This will be the 11th - 16th trips we've made with a group to Raja Ampat. Irian Jaya (Papua) is where we want to go for our diving holiday, so join us and find out why.

More Raja Empat Dive Trip details

 

About the Liveaboard:

 

SMY Ondina Indonesia LIveaboardSMY Ondina is a 5 year old Indonesian traditional Pinisi ship specifically designed and outfitted exclusively for diving.

(BTW the sail color is traditional.. not dirty.) It has run 18 trips in Raja Ampat; the captain has 7 years experience in the area (he was captain of another Pinisi liveaboard).

We have separate webpages with medium size photos, boat specs and amenities.. be sure to look at the photo gallery and read the captions.

SMY Ondina - Raja Ampat Liveaboard Details & Pictures

Raja Ampat Dive Trip Details