Posted 01 October 2009 - 12:39 AM
So we are all together and the competition is underway. I am back on land having just done a TV interview.
The standard of the photographers and their dedication to this specific brand of underwater photography is deeply impressive. I think my abiding thought from diving with them - is that I wish their skills were known about more widely. The average keen underwater photographer, outside the Fotosub belt of Spain, France, Italy, is not even aware that these events take place. Which I think is a great pity.
It is also something that the organisers really want to address. The photographers here have spent a great deal of time perfecting their skills and, of course, they want to test them against the best around. However, the Fotosub club remains difficult to penetrate without some dedication. And this does limit their international appeal and the number of overseas photographers prepared to try them.
I have been to the Canaries several times now, and have enjoyed learning about the game and how it is played. I compare it to the gymnastics in the Olympics. It is photography where you learn and practice a routine, polishing every aspect, and then have to perform it under the pressure of a competition. It is about taking again those shots you have practiced, under limited time constraints, limited numbers of exposures and with no post processing. JPGs straight from the camera.
If Fotosub appeals it is well worth a trip to somewhere like the Canaries. The local photographers are very welcoming and will happily share all the secrets to success (away from a competition weekend, that is)!
I think that just turning up to a competition as a handy photographer is not likely to produce success. Even at this International event, the rules (of which there are several pages) are only in Spanish - myself and google translations knocked out an English version late last night. But if that is the first time you have seen them, as a competitor, then you are not going to do well. It is important to come out and learn the intricacies of this sport before expecting success at the top level. Even if you are Roger Federer, used to hitting balls with rackets, you wouldn't enter the Squash World Champs and expect to do well. You go away and train at the new sport.
As I was typing up the rules last night, people (very helpfully) told me several more that weren't in there. And there are some unusual ones! For example you are not allowed to delete any pictures and dives are limited to 45 minutes - and a dive computer can't be used as a timing device for this - you must use a watch! Of course, all the regulars know this, and having visited before, I do. But for first timers they have to learn all this - it is a lot to take in - when you are trying to think about your photography. Life is much more pleasant as a judge!
I guess that this is one of the big issues for Fotosub here to address if they want to attract and have proper international competition. That have to make the whole event much more accessible for overseas photographers - or at least circulate the idiosyncratic rules the night before the contest.
Right have to go and sample some more excellent Canaries diving. I am sure I'll have to delete lots of pictures!
Alex
