WuZhiZhou International Underwater Carnival

Adam Hanlon and Alex Mustard chat about what may be one of the most effective upgrades for an underwater photography system: Magnifying viewfinders. They discuss how they are used and what they do, along with the ongoing debate about the pros and cons of 45° versus straight versions.
The 2021 Underwater Photographer of the Year (UPY) Contest closes for entries on 5 January at 23:59 (GMT). There are 12 categories, accepting images that have been taken within the past 5 years. Due to the impact of COVID-19 on the global dive travel market, the contest is not awarding prizes beyond the kudos of the awarded images being judged from among the best underwater images.
Issue 118 of Underwater Photography (UwP) magazine is now available to download Articles in this issue include a review of the Think Tank Photo Freeway Longhaul bag, fluorescence photography, and strobe positioning. The featured location is Fuencaliente Necropolis and The Shot Chat is profiled, along with its review of UPY 2021.
Adam Hanlon chats through some of the housekeeping steps needed to prepare your cameras and software to process images in 2021. He discusses how to update metadata templates, both on cameras and within editing/browsing applications, to make workflow easier and more streamlined.
The UN has declared 2021 to 2030 to be the “Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.” Underwater photographer and storyteller, Ellen Cuylaerts, has been advising the UN on this huge project and advocating that image-makers are active in trying to ensure that the world’s underwater places are documented in a manner that emphasizes both their beauty and fragility. On Wetpixel Live, she discusses the project with Adam and highlights how individuals can make a difference through the choices they make.
Wishing the Wetpixel community the happiest of years for 2021. I think it is fair to say that most of us will not look back on 2020 with a great deal of fondness, but perhaps we should try to dwell on the positive parts of the year. I suspect that we are all looking forward to a return to some degree of normality in 2021. So, I hope that over the next year, I have the opportunity to dive and create imagery with as many of you as possible and to chat about issues of common interests and concern on the Wetpixel forums. May 2021 provide us with a “new start” and an opportunity to use our skills to capture the marvel and wonder of the world’s oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers.
Nauticam](https://www.nauticam.com/products/na-eosm50ii-housing-for-canon-eos-m50ii) is shipping their housing for the Canon EOS M50 Mark II mirrorless APS-C camera. It features an integrated handle system with access to shutter and “critical controls” from the right handle. It uses Nauticam’s N85 port system.