EVENT COVERAGE 2024
RESULTS FROM THE 2024 MONTEREY SHOOTOUT
36 HOURS 156 UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHERS AND AN INVASION OF SEA LIONS
After a few year hiatus due to COVID, Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo hosted what would have been the 30th annual Monterey Shootout. Once again shooters came from near and far, amassing the largest gathering of underwater photographers in the USA since 2019, and quite possibly setting a record for most hugs and high-fives distributed in a single weekend. It was great to get the gang back together and welcome many new faces to the best dive community we know.
Just a week prior to the event hundreds of California Sea Lions invaded San Carlos Beach blocking shore access to the world-famous Breakwater dive site. Undeterred, 156 underwater photographers scattered across Monterey Bay for a 36-hour window to shoot their best images. Following the contest while the judges battled it out, participants were treated to inspiring seminars on Lightroom and AI by Erin Quigley and inspirational optics and techniques by Todd Winner.
DAY IN THE LIFE AT THE MONTEREY SHOOTOUT
ANOTHER GREAT PARTY!
After two days of diving spread all over the peninsula, some still a bit salty participants gathered at the Backscatter mothership for a night of drinks, food, tall tales, and celebration. The welcoming and inspiring group of hardcore Monterey divers once again demonstrated that there is something truly special about the passionate people who call cold water home, and they know how to party. Thank you Backscatter for keeping this gathering alive!
