Bonaire
Region: Dutch Caribbean Type: Shore diving, coral reefs, marine park Significance: Home venue of the Digital Shootout; UW photography education hub First Wetpixel coverage: 2002
Overview
Bonaire is the primary home venue for the Digital Shootout, the longest-running underwater photography workshop/competition covered by Wetpixel, held annually at Divi Flamingo Beach Resort from at least 2002 through 2017. The island’s easily accessible shore diving, protected marine park, and reliable macro subjects (especially blennies) made it ideal for UW photography education ([1]).
Digital Shootout History
The Digital Shootout moved to Bonaire by 2002 and ran there most years through 2017 (with a 2006 edition in Palau and 2010 in Little Cayman). Key editions:
- 2005: 40 participants at Divi Flamingo. Staff: Eric Cheng, Berkley White, Jim Watt, Dan Baldocchi ([2])
- 2007: 60 participants, ~400 entries in 4 categories + video ([3])
- 2008: 58 participants. Best of Show: John Muhilly. Erin Quigley won categories. David Fleetham joined staff ([4])
- 2012: Chris Parsons shot the first underwater Canon 5D Mark III video at the Windjammer wreck at 210 feet ([5])
- 2013: 60 participants, ~20 staff. Winner: Philip Seys (seahorse macro). Erin Quigley taught Lightroom sessions ([6])
- 2017: 60 participants at Divi Flamingo ([7])
Marine Life
Ned DeLoach and Anna DeLoach conducted the “Bonaire Blenny Challenge” as resident naturalists at Buddy Dive Resort in 2013, documenting Christmas tree worm spawning and rare clingfish species ([8]). Ellen Muller, a Bonaire-based daily diver, was named INON Feature Artist in 2006 ([9]).
Conservation
- 2015: Shark sanctuaries declared around Bonaire and Saba — 8,500+ square miles, the 11th and 12th such sanctuaries worldwide ([10])
- 2017: Fabien Cousteau began a 3D-printed coral reef restoration project in Bonaire ([11])
Notable Figures
- Eric Cheng — Digital Shootout staff/judge
- Berkley White (Backscatter) — Digital Shootout co-director
- Jim Watt — Digital Shootout speaker/judge
- Ned DeLoach — Blenny research, naturalist at Buddy Dive
- Erin Quigley — Digital Shootout winner (2008), Lightroom instructor
- Sterling Zumbrunn — Digital Shootout staff, Wetpixel article author
References
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Feb 26, 2005: Digital Shootout Bonaire 2005 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 26, 2005: Digital Shootout Bonaire 2005 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 23, 2007: Digital Shootout Bonaire 2007 Winners ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 5, 2008: Bonaire Digital Shootout 2008 Winners ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 23, 2012: First Underwater Video From Canon 5d Mk Iii ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 16, 2013: Report From The Digital Shootout Published ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 18, 2017: Official Coverage From The Digital Shootout Available ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 10, 2013: The Blennywatcher Diary September 2013 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 23, 2006: Ellen Muller Inon Feature Artist ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 11, 2015: Shark Sanctuaries Announced Around Dutch Caribbean Islands ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 13, 2017: Coral Reef Restoration With 3d Printing ↩
- Digital Shootout Bonaire 2005 (article) ↩
- Ellen Muller — INON Feature Artist (2006) (article) ↩
- Digital Shootout 2007 winners (article) ↩
- Digital Shootout 2008 winners (article) ↩
- First UW Canon 5D Mark III video (2012) (article) ↩
- Digital Shootout 2013 report (article) ↩
- BlennyWatcher diary (2013) (article) ↩
- Bonaire/Saba shark sanctuaries (2015) (article) ↩
- 3D coral restoration (2017) (article) ↩