Lembeh-Gulen Critter Shootout

Type: competition Frequency: annual (started 2016) Locations: Lembeh Strait, Indonesia + Gulen, Norway (simultaneous)

Overview

The Lembeh-Gulen Critter Shootout is a unique simultaneous macro photography competition pitting two of the world’s premier critter diving destinations against each other: the warm, muck-diving mecca of Lembeh Strait, Indonesia, and the cold Norwegian fjord waters of Gulen. Images from both locations are judged together, with the winning team decided by overall scores.

The event embodies the ongoing debate in underwater macro photography between tropical biodiversity and cold-water specialist species.

History

2016 (Inaugural)

The first Lembeh-Gulen Critter Shootout was coordinated by Alex Mustard as overall organizer.

• Lembeh team captain: Keri Wilk
• Gulen team captain: Tobias Friedrich
• Wetpixel editorial on site: Abi Smigel Mullens (Lembeh), Adam Hanlon (Gulen)
• Result: Team Lembeh won the inaugural shootout

(^[1], ^[2])

2018

The 2018 edition was announced at BOOT Düsseldorf 2017, generating early excitement in the community.

• Dates: June 15–23, 2018
• Lembeh team captain: Alex Mustard
• Gulen team captain: Keri Wilk (swapping sides from 2016)
• Announced via Wetpixel in November 2017

(^[3])

Significance

The Lembeh-Gulen format is notable for:

• Bringing simultaneous international competition to the macro photography community
• Highlighting that cold-water environments like Gulen can hold their own against tropical hot spots for critter diversity and photographic interest
• Leveraging Wetpixel’s global editorial team to provide on-site coverage from both locations

People

• Alex Mustard — founding coordinator; 2018 Lembeh captain
• Adam Hanlon — 2016 Gulen editorial coverage
• Abi Smigel Mullens — 2016 Lembeh editorial coverage
• Keri Wilk — 2016 Lembeh captain; 2018 Gulen captain
• Tobias Friedrich — 2016 Gulen captain

References

• ^[4] — editorial
• ^[5] — editorial
• ^[6] — editorial