2013 IMASUB Underwater Photography Contest Comes to a Close

The Maria la Gorda International Diving Center was the venue of choice for the third edition of the IMASUB Photography Contest, held June 11-14, 2013 with a turnout of 110 participants hailing from Argentina, Mexico, United States, Canada, Slovakia and Cuba.

In this breathtaking natural scenario within the Guanahacabibes National Park –a protected area that was declared World Biosphere Reserve- 38 contesters broken down in 3 Argentines, 15 Mexicans, one America, one Canadian, one Slovakian and 17 Cubans, submerged into four different diving sites (El Paraíso, Cabezo de Marcel, El Patio and Cueva de Pipo) on a quest for unforgettable experiences and a number of prizes and mentions that were up for grabs.

During the event’s opening day, the underwater photographers were welcomed by Mr. Carlos Manuel Latuff, executive president of GRUPO DE TURISMO GAVIOTA S.A, as well as by other executives and officials from the company’s front office and the Empresa Marinas Gaviota SA. In the course of the afternoon, the contesters were met by Allan Garcia Hernandez, the company’s chief of Underwater Activities, and Tania Hernandez Herrera, marketing director with Empresa Marinas Gaviota SA. Member of the jury, made up of trainer Claudia Pastorino from Argentina, celebrated Cuban photographer Julio Larramendi and Mexico’s David Mizrahi, president of the Mexican Underwater Image Association and IMASUB 2013 chairman.

On the second and third days, several immersions were made, all of them complemented by a number of free dives, some of them conducted at night.

On June 13, the jury took a long and close look at a grand total of 305 pictures in the Environment, Environment with Model, Wildlife and Macro categories. After several hours of deliberations, the number of pictures was narrowed down to 21 finalists, handpicked for the sharpness, composition, exposure, creativity and difficulty level of the images.

The Grand Prize went to Cuban photographer Manuel Pedro Carmenate Martinez, who came out with a couple of first-place images, a third place and a mention. In addition, the Most Creative Picture was selected, while the management of the Guanahacabibes National Park handed out a special award.

Next year’s edition of IMASUB was called for June 16-21, 2014, right in the amazing sea bottoms of this beautiful facility, nestled in Cuba’s westernmost province of Pinar del Rio, and once again sponsored and organized by Grupo de Turismo Gaviota S.A.