Ivan dives deep for photo award

ACE photographer and diver Ivan Donoghue from Wexford Sub Aqua Club was recently awarded the runners-up prize in the wide angle category of the British and Irish Underwater Photography Championship 2017.

Ivan’s entry was taken at Hook Head, and shows fellow club member Balazs Bauer enjoying the underwater scenery while two visitors look on from above.

The picture missed out on top slot by just one point.

Now in its third year, more than 60 underwater photographers from all over the UK and Ireland dived on August 27, took pictures and submitted them on the same day to a panel of judges.

Organised by the British Society of Underwater Photographers in memory of Peter Scoones, one of its founding members, the competition is a major test of a photographer’s logistic, diving and photographic skills, as everything has to be done within 24 hours.

Ivan said that his image is known as a split-shot, where you aim to capture what’s happening above and below the surface at the same time.

‘Technically there is several things working against the photographer including different light, reduced contrast, particles, different depth of field, divers bubbles and trying to hold a camera at the right angle in a wave to capture above and below,’ he said.

Ivan said he was lucky to have the help of top class diver Balazs Bauer in getting the shot.

‘He has a unique ability to be envision a potential picture before I do and we work together as a team on these pictures,’ said Ivan.

This year, UK photographer Trevor Rees was awarded the title 2017 Champion after submitting a beautiful image of a Jewel Anemone set against a sunburst. It also won the best close-up category.

Best newcomer was Brian Kelly with a delightful picture of a Fan Worm and the other two categories were won by Kirsty Andrews for a stunning wide angle picture of a Blue Shark, and Vicky Paynter who used a compact camera to win the restricted camera category with a delightful image of a seal.

You can see the full list of photographers, images, sponsors and awards at www.biupc.org and for more information about scuba diving in the south east, please visit www.divewexford.org

Wexford Sub Aqua Club diver Ivan Donoghue’s photograph, shot at Hook Head, which was runner-up in the wide angle category of the British and Irish Underwater Photography Championship 2017.