H2O Photography Competition 2022
Photo H2O underwater photography competition was organised by Gérald Rambert and was held from August 7 to 10. The 2022 edition of this annual competition was sponsored by: - The Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) - Air Mauritius - Sundivers diving center - Odysseo, - The hotel La Pirogue - The famous brand of diving accessories ScubaPro - Tou Korek Surf Shop - Backscatter - 101 shop - JPH Charters Divers from Mauritius and Reunion island braved the winter cold to enter this exciting competition, which included two different underwater photography competitions: Category 1: This first category was held on Sunday 7th of August 2022 in Flic-en-Flac. In the space of one day and two dives of a maximum of 30 meters, the 14 participants had to find the rare pearl that would make them rise on the podium. This first competition was divided into three different sub- categories: Ambiance, Fish Portrait and Macro (photo without fish); allowing each participant to enter a maximum of one photo per category. The participants also received the expert support of Gérald Rambert in the choice of the photos presented in the competition and any retouching. Category 2: The second category, better known as the Portfolio competition, saw the considerable participation of 23 enthusiastic divers, allowing them to submit their three best photos taken in Mauritian waters taken during the last 5 years.
The Results are as followed: Category 1: Ambiance: 1. Rahul Cheekhooree 2. Stephane Robert 3. Esther Rambert
Macro: 1. Didier Pasquini 2. Cedric Péneau 3. Miguel Ramirez
Fish Portrait: 1. Dennis Ng Lun 2. Didier Pasquini 3. Cedric Péneau
Category 2 - Portfolio: 1. Sophie Rusca (Non-resident) 1. Jon Seyave (Resident) 2. Rahul Cheekhooree
About the Judges
James Caratini
CMASS 2* diving instructor and audio-visual trainer for the Cultural Action Mission of the Rectorate, James teaches technology and photography (club) in college since 1981 respectively in Marseille, Zaire,and 24 years in Reunion Island. As President of the Images Océan association and co-author with his photographer diver friend Thierry Soriano, James publishes several underwater books on life in Reunion.
He also represented Reunion at the championships of France underwater photographs in 1993, 1997, 1999. For 5 years he organized the “Trophée Océana”, a sporting and cultural event. He was also awarded several times at the Antibes Festival and at the Strasbourg festival.
He was a guest of honor at the Antibes Festival in 1994, a member of the photo and video jury at the Subios festival in Seychelles in 2003, and a member of the jury for the H2o festival in Réunion in 2003.
President of the jury at the image festival in Mauritius in 2005. Member of the photo jury at the World Underwater Image Festival in Marseille in 2010. James has been filming for 20 years with Serge Marizy in reports for the program “Zone Australe” on Antenne Réunion. James is still currently winning multiple awards for his movies in different competitions worldwide.
Virginie Tennant
Born in Mauritius, Virginie made her passion and her art, her job as a photographer. Passionate about travel and the social universe, her photography is part of an artistic and refined approach, in search of a look, instantaneity, and authenticity.
Graduated from the Icart-Photo School (Paris School of Photography), she specializes in the world of luxury hotels, architecture, and cuisine. In 2004, she joined UNESCO in her first experience on African soil. A documentary report in Uganda entitled “The orphans of AIDS”. After Uganda, the DRC, Gabon, Madagascar, Cambodia, and many other countries will mark his photographic career in recent years. Through the Atelier Photo, she enthusiastically shares and transmits her view and her experience. These digital photo courses are for the young and old! The underwater world remains her favorite environment and she will be an organizing member of the first 2 editions of H20. Also, member of the Jury of the national championship of underwater photography in 2007 for the CMAS, it is with great honor that she will be part of the whole team of H20!
Hughes Vitry
Hugues Vitry has been one of the greatest Mauritian underwater photographers since 1979 when he bought his first Nikonos III. Hughes
has traveled the world to compete in more underwater photography competitions than any other Mauritian photographer. He won many international competitions and holds few photography distinctions. He joined the CMAS Photo-Films and Videos Commission in Rome from 1995 until 2000. He was also the international commissary (field judge- referee) of the 7th CMAS world underwater photo competition in Aalesund, Norway in 1998. President of the jury for the French National underwater photo competition
in Reunion in Island in 2000. Member of jury at
the 9th CMAS world underwater photography competition in Marseille, France in 2002.
Mathieu Meur
Mathieu has been shooting underwater for over
30 years, at first free-diving and subsequently
on scuba. A true pioneer, Mathieu was one of
the early adopters and promoters of digital technology for underwater photography, authoring the first digital underwater photography specialty course in the world in 2001.
Mathieu went on to contribute hundreds of magazine articles on photography techniques
to multiple publications. In 2004, Mathieu co-authored “An Essential Guide to Digital Underwater Photography” with Michael Aw.
This was the first book entirely dedicated
to the techniques associated with shooting digitally underwater. Following the success of
this introductory book, he went on to co-author “An Advanced Guide to Digital Underwater Photography” with Michael Aw in 2007.
Mathieu has also published a comprehensive
and interactive e-book on underwater digital photography, “Complete Digital Underwater Photography”, in 2013, and another titled “Everything on Underwater Photography” in 2014. Mathieu is a regular judge at photo competitions.
The Day of the competition
The competition was hosted by Sundivers at La Pirogue hotel on the 7th of August 2022. We welcome photographers from Reunion island and Mauritius mostly. The general Atmosphere of the competition was absolutely amazing and the photographers took this opportunity to share techniques and tips to improve their level.
The Price Giving Ceremony
The Price giving ceremony was hosted by the biggest oceanarium of the Indian Ocean , Odysseo. The event was followed by a stand-up canapé style dinner. We couldn’t find a better environment for this celebration!
