COMPETITION | EVENT COVERAGE 2024 - The Monterey Shootout - a 36 hour photo and video competition

EVENT COVERAGE 2024

RESULTS FROM THE 2024 MONTEREY SHOOTOUT

$30,000 IN PRIZES FROM OUR AMAZING SPONSORS

While the Monterey Shootout is mostly about socializing and networking, the incredible prizes make everyone dive a little longer and push a little harder to create their best images. Thank you to all of our wonderful sponsors who help award the efforts of these great underwater image makers.

Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo
Backscatter Octo Housing – $699
Backscatter Hybrid Flash – $899
Backscatter Hybrid Flash – $899
Backscatter Mini Flash 2 – $399
Backscatter Mini Flash 2 – $399
Backscatter Sharp Wide Lens Pro Pack – $296

NCUPS - Northern California Underwater Photographic Society — NCUPS – Northern California Underwater Photographic Society

Reef & Rainforest Dive and Adventure Travel
Lembeh Resort Trip graciously provided by Reef & Rainforest

Clearly Cayman — Little Cayman Beach Resort 7-night Vacation Package for one, includes standard accommodations, 18 dives, meals, transfers & one full day of one-on-one photo coaching with photo pro – $3,107

Lembeh Resort / Critters @ Lembeh & Murex Bangka – 5 Nights & Lembeh Resort + 3 Nights at Murex Bangka – includes 20 boat dives, meals & snacks, transfers + critique session with photo pro @ Lembeh Resort – $3,012

Crystal Blue Resort 7 Nights Full accommodations / 6 days x3 dives/day Food & fees included – $1,700

Salaya Beach Houses
4 Nights Stay in Ocean View Room – $1,370

Ikelite
DS230 Strobes – $1,250
DS230 Strobes – $1,250

Light and Motion
Double Video Pro 3800 Flood With 12″ Camera Tray – $1,250

OM System
E-M10IV – $699
OM System TG-7 Camera & Housing – $900

Monterey Bay Scuba – 2 Dive Private Charter, Up to 6 divers max,Free lunch provided after the dives by Osteria Al Mare (located next to our shop), tanks weights and gear not included. Scheduling is subject to availability – $1,050

Under Exposures - Photo. Dive. Travel. — Under Exposures – Photo. Dive. Travel.
$1,000 Gift Certificate

NEX
Pebble Beach Bundle Regulator Set – $935

Kraken Sports
Hydra 8,000 WRGBU Underwater Video Lights – $749
2500 V2 Video Light Flood\Red\Blue\Green\UV – $300

The Ocean View on Monterey Bay
3 Night Stay @ the Monterey Ocean View B&B (Luke Kilpatrick) – $600

Nauticam Innovation Underwater
SMC-1 67mm Super Macro Converter Lens – $598
CMC-1 67mm Compact Macro Lens – $439
70 X 250mm Arm (set of 2) – $352
90 X 170mm arm (set of 2) – $334
70 X 200mm arm (set of 2) – $274
50 X 3000mm arm (set of 2) – $264

Think Tank Photo
Logistics Manager – $576

Ultralight Camera Solutions
$500 Gift Card

Go Ask Erin - Live & On Demand — Go Ask Erin – Live & On Demand
3 Hour Lightroom Session – $450

Bradley Print Services
24×36 metal print from your favorite images from Bradley Photographic Print Services – $306

Beachhopper II
Single Diver Open Charter Pass – $120
Single Diver Open Charter Pass – $120

Sanctuary Cruises
Whale Watch (voucher for free whale watching tour for two) – $111

Aquarius Dive Shop
Nitrox Fill Card
Nitrox Fill Card
Nitrox Fill Card
Nitrox Fill Card
Nitrox Fill Card

Bamboo Reef Dive Centers
$100 Gift Card
Air Fill Card for 10 Fills – $75
Air Fill Card for 10 Fills – $75

Otter Bay Wetsuits & Drysuits
Gift Card For One Custom 12mm Hood or 12mm Boots, or $100 Towards Repairs
Gift Card For One Custom 12mm Hood or 12mm Boots, or $100 Towards Repairs
Gift Card For One Custom 12mm Hood or 12mm Boots, or $100 Towards Repairs

Pacific Housing Repair
$100 Gift Certificate

XS Scuba
Quick Launch Marker Bouy Yellow – $99

Peninsula Dive Services
Regulator Bench Test or Cylinder Visual – $25
Regulator Bench Test or Cylinder Visual – $25
Regulator Bench Test or Cylinder Visual – $25
Regulator Bench Test or Cylinder Visual – $25
Regulator Bench Test or Cylinder Visual – $25

Cinebags
Tool Bag – $50
Tool Bag – $50
Tool Bag – $50

Ferrill Brewing
Honey Badger Beer 4pk – $20
Honey Badger Beer 4pk – $20
Mango Wheat Beer 4pk – $20
Mango Wheat Beer 4pk – $20

COMMENTS FROM THE PHOTO JUDGES

Our 2024 photo judges included Chuck Davis, Scott Campbell, Sterling Zumbrunn, Becca Boring, and Berkley White and took all Sunday morning selecting their favorites from over 520 images. Images were selected based on beauty and technical prowess, but ultimately ranked by the mantra of, “Would I put this on my wall.” The judges were particularly impressed this year with wide angle images shot so well in the limited visibility. As with previous years shallow water subjects with light rays were very effective with the limited visibility. Skillful use of strobe placement to minimize backscatter and the use of slow shutter motion blur were very captivating. The judges commented that many images in the unrestricted categories could have ranked much higher with more clean up and use of exposure gradient filters in post. Unfortunately, some very strong and well-lit macro images suffered from focus issues on critical areas of the subject. Zoom in when reviewing images and make sure you nailed focus. There were also many great macro subjects that had unattractive backgrounds. Remember the background is sometimes more important than the subject. Overall the judges were very impressed by the quality of images from beginner to advanced shooters in such challenging conditions.

COMMENTS FROM THE VIDEO JUDGES

Our 2024 video judges included Matt Ferraro, Jim Decker, and Rusty Sanoian who spent many hours viewing over 60 video submissions. Videos that did well had a strong story component and good editing and flow that matched the story. In the end it really came down to “would I share this with video with a friend or loved one”. At the awards ceremony, you could tell that the criteria was sufficient by the audience reaction to the top videos! Judges viewed many clips that had color issues and suggested contestants should shoot a custom white balance in camera rather than try to shoot a Log style picture profile that will need color grading in post. Unless you’re a color expert, a good white balance in camera will produce better color with a heck of a lot less effort than trying to grade footage in post. Another common issue was stability and camera movement. Shakey camera work will take even the best subject and action and knock it out of contention. For macro shots, absolutely use a tripod. For wide angle, concentrate on smooth camera movements and shoot in 60p to slow things down which will not only lengthen your clip but also smooth out any small bobbles of the camera. All judges were very impressed by the skills and efforts made by all entrants.

CHUCK TRIBOLET AWARD

Chuck was a brilliant engineer by day and the de facto mayor of diving Monterey via small boats by weekend. He introduced many of us to early GPS systems, ocean weather sleuthing, and helped pioneer diving in Monterey. He was a major advocate of marine conservation and facilitated the judging of the Monterey Shootout and California Beach Photo Competition for over 20 years. Long live Chuck!

Chuck Tribolet Best in Show – Phil Lemley

Prize for CHUCK TRIBOLET BEST IN SHOW

Lembeh Resort / Critters @ Lembeh & Murex Bangka – 5 Nights & Lembeh Resort + 3 Nights at Murex Bangka – includes 20 boat dives, meals & snacks, transfers + critique session with photo pro @ Lembeh Resort from Reef & Rainforest – $3,012

WINNERS – ADVANCED WIDE ANGLE TRADITIONAL

1st Place – Advanced Wide Angle Traditional – Marco Mazza

2nd Place – Advanced Wide Angle Traditional – Sage Ono

3rd Place - Advanced Wide Angle Traditional - Jon Anderson — 3rd Place – Advanced Wide Angle Traditional – Jon Anderson

HM1 – Advanced Wide Angle Traditional – Joe Platko

HM2 – Advanced Wide Angle Traditional – Dylan Silver

HM3 – Advanced Wide Angle Traditional – Robert Lee

WINNERS – ADVANCED WIDE ANGLE UNRESTRICTED

1st Place – Advanced Wide Angle Unrestricted – Joe Platko

2nd Place – Advanced Wide Angle Unrestricted – Ralph Pace

3rd Place – Advanced Wide Angle Unrestricted – Ralph Pace

HM 1 – Advanced Wide Angle Unrestricted – Patrick Webster

HM 2 – Advanced Wide Angle Unrestricted – Patrick Webster

HM 3 – Advanced Wide Angle Unrestricted – Jon Anderson

WINNERS – ADVANCED MACRO TRADITIONAL

1st Place – Advanced Macro Traditional – Linda Reisinger

2nd Place – Advanced Macro Traditional – Phil Lemley

3rd Place – Advanced Macro Traditional – Michelle Manson

HM1 – Advanced Macro Traditional – Jon Anderson

WINNERS – ADVANCED MACRO UNRESTRICTED

1st Place – Advanced Macro Unrestricted – Phil Lemley

2nd Place – Advanced Macro Unrestricted – Sage Ono

3rd Place – Advanced Macro Unrestricted – Aaron Halstead

HM1 Place – Advanced Macro Unrestricted – Sage Ono

HM2 Place – Advanced Macro Unrestricted – Philip Seys

HM3 Place – Advanced Macro Unrestricted – Jim Kirklin

WINNERS – INTERMEDIATE WIDE ANGLE TRADITIONAL

1st Place – Intermediate Wide Angle Traditional – Effie Benjamin

2nd Place – Intermediate Wide Angle Traditional – Walter Greene

3rd Place – Intermediate Wide Angle Traditional – Effie Benjamin

HM1 – Intermediate Wide Angle Traditional – Anne DeSouza

HM2 – Intermediate Wide Angle Traditional – Tiffany Poon

WINNERS – INTERMEDIATE WIDE ANGLE UNRESTRICTED

1st Place – Intermediate Wide Angle Unrestricted – Martina Steurer

2nd Place – Intermediate Wide Angle Unrestricted – Martina Steurer

3rd Place – Intermediate Wide Angle Unrestricted – Tiffany Poon

HM1 – Intermediate Wide Angle Unrestricted – Effie Benjamin

HM2 – Intermediate Wide Angle Unrestricted – Felicia Svedlund

WINNERS – INTERMEDIATE MACRO TRADITIONAL

1st Place – Intermediate Macro Traditional – Megan Pitcavage

2nd Place – Intermediate Macro Traditional – Tim Nelson

3rd Place – Intermediate Macro Traditional – Mary Wholey

HM1 – Intermediate Macro Traditional – Andrew Wadycki

WINNERS – INTERMEDIATE MACRO UNRESTRICTED

1st Place – Intermediate Macro Unrestricted – Megan Pitcavage

2nd Place – Intermediate Macro Unrestricted – Leon Burda

3rd Place – Intermediate Macro Unrestricted – Adam Davis

HM1 – Intermediate Macro Unrestricted – Tim Nelson

HM2 – Intermediate Macro Unrestricted – Mary Wholey

HM3 – Intermediate Macro Unrestricted – Dionna House

WINNERS – BEGINNER WIDE ANGLE TRADITIONAL

1st Place – Beginner Wide Angle Traditional – Christina Chapman

2nd Place – Beginner Wide Angle Traditional – Brian Phan

3rd Place – Beginner Wide Angle Traditional – William Mariano

HM1 – Beginner Wide Angle Traditional – Anna Krylova

HM2- Beginner Wide Angle Traditional – William Mariano

WINNERS – BEGINNER WIDE ANGLE UNRESTRICTED

1st Place – Beginner Wide Angle Unrestricted – Christina Chapman

2nd Place – Beginner Wide Angle Unrestricted – Christina Chapman

3rd Place – Beginner Wide Angle Unrestricted – Sayuri Chako

WINNERS – BEGINNER MACRO TRADITIONAL

1st Place – Beginner Macro Traditional – Philip Bouffard

2nd Place – Beginner Macro Traditional – Chris Miles

3rd Place – Beginner Macro Traditional – Sara Vassar

HM1 – Beginner Macro Traditional – Jim Hudson

WINNERS – BEGINNER MACRO UNRESTRICTED

1st Place – Beginner Macro Unrestricted – Sara Vassar

2nd Place – Beginner Macro Unrestricted – Chris Miles

3rd Place – Beginner Macro Unrestricted – Chris Miles

HM1 – Beginner Macro Unrestricted – Sara Vassar

WINNERS – VIDEO MONTAGE

2 Minutes or Less

1st Place – Kate Vylet

2nd Place – Phil Lemley

3rd Place – Carmen Obied

HM1 – Pat Webster

HM2 – Eric Gillespie

WINNERS – WIDE SNAPSHOT

10-30 Second Clip

1st Place – Snapshot Wide – Phil Lemley

2nd Place – Snapshot Wide – Brad Brown

3rd Place – Snapshot Wide – Michael Alyono

HM1 – Snapshot Wide – Kate Vylet

WINNERS – MACRO SNAPSHOT

10-30 Second Clip

1st Place – Snapshot Macro – Alex Bouziques

2nd Place – Snapshot Macro – Leon Burda

3rd Place – Snapshot Macro – Dan Schwartz

HM1 – Snapshot Macro – Julia Kovtoun

Please enjoy the underwater views from behind the lenses of this year’s participants in the other submitted videos and all-submitted images slideshow. A very special THANK YOU to all of our prize sponsors for your generosity and support of The Digital Shootout – we couldn’t do it without you!