2009/10 World champion - Dray Van Beeck
Dray has been a member since 2005 and in that time has entered over 200 underwater images of extremely consistent quality. This is reflected in an average score of 29 votes per image!
Dray's images incorporate a wide range of subject matter from macro to wide angle. He dives mostly in Egypt though has shots from Indonesia, Mazambique and South Africa under his belt.
This year we have seen a great improvement across the board from Dray. His Photoshop work has come on in leaps and bounds and even challenges that of previous Grand Master, Manfred Bail.
Dray Van Beeck
I*ve been a PADI Scuba instructor for 14 years now. I work the last 6 years on a liveaboard for Blue O Two on the Red sea in Egypt. Been photographing since 8 years. Since 2006 with the Nikon D80 in Ikelite housing with 2x DS125 Ikelite strobes. And since 2008 with the Nikon D300 with Hugyfot housing Inon and Ikelite strobes. Together with Jeroen we started an under water photography site with info 6 years ago. www.aqualifeimages.com We are still looking for more pics and new photographers to participate.
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Grand Master - Dejan Sarman
Dejan Sarman is sadly no longer with us. He died in 2009 whilst doing the thing he loved most, underwater photography.
Dejan was a photo contest monthly winner, medal winner (annual contest), monthly hotshot, runner up in the annual contest, and a trusted member (site moderator).
His average vote in the contest was an astounding 42
Dejan had dived the Adriatic Sea, Andaman Sea, Bali Sea, Red Sea, South China Sea, and Sulu and Sulawesi Seas and entered a broad spectrum of subjects including some of the most memorable images from the past few years. His Gold Medal winner of Apnea divers racing in a pool was admired by all.
I have no doubt, with his talent, that he would have gone on to achieve Grand Master so it is fitting that we accord him the title posthumously.
Final Round Entries
These are the entries that reached the final round of judging
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Grand Master - Jim Chambers
Jim hails from Atlanta, Georgia in the US and has been a member since 2004.
A very popular member with over 1,000 forum posts. Jim has always been there with advice and encouragement for newbies.
He has specialised in macro, an area where you do not get an average vote of 21 unless you are really good.
Jim has had back problems in 2009 and is hanging up his reg. I'm sure he will be about for some time with his practical jokes - at least we all hope so!
Jim Chambers
Atlanta, Georgia. I have been diving since 1987, mostly in the Caribbean, but I have been to Fiji twice and once to the Philippines. Starting with a Nikonos V, then a housed film SLR, I am now using a Nikon D300 in Aquatica housing, with an SB800 flash in a Subal housing, and Nikon 60mm and 105mm micro lenses. I only shoot macro/close-up, and I love looking for the little critters.
My favorite dive location is the Southern Cross Club on Little Cayman, BWI.
My most valuable asset is my wife/dive buddy Deborah (aka sharkbait!).
And I'm an old guy... from 1946. Retired civil engineer, but I still work part-time in engineering.
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Grand Master - Jim Garland
Jim is another longstanding member (joined 2004) and comes from Ireland, where he is a science teacher. We won't hold that against him!
With Jim's qualifications in Zoology you might expect him to shoot natural history subjects yet he has dominated the Gold Medal spot of our wreck category since he joined.
He has a great wreck site I recommend you visit
website Jim has entertained us with wreck shots from Croatia, Egypt, France, Ireland, Italy, Micronesia (Truk) and the UK.
Jim Garland
Qualified as a Zoologist, now Science Teacher by profession. I am also owner of the dedicated wreck photography website WRECKSHOT.COM. I am intrested in natural history, wreck history and photography, my passion being WW2 Aircraft wrecks. I currently use a Canon EOS 5D, Aquatica Housing, Sigma 15mm FE, Sigma 50mm Macro, Canon 24mm wide, Inon z-240 strobes.
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These are the entries that reached the final round of judging
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The 2009/0 Medal Winners...