Scuba Diver Ocean Planet Issue 04/2016 | Page 10

DEEPBLU/ADEX VOICE OF THE OCEAN 2016 Wilfried Dickes, DIWA CEO Head judge Alex Mustard compèring the live competition Judges Iyad Suleyman, Kurt Amsler and Lynn Funkhouser Head Judge Judging Panel Alex Mustard Iyad Suleyman Alex is one of the world’s leading underwater photographers, winning multiple awards such as the prestigious BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year no fewer than five times. Also, in 2013, he was awarded European Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the only time an underwater photograph has claimed the title. He has been taking photographs underwater for 30 years, and full-time professionally for the last 10. He has pioneered many innovative techniques which he shares in magazine articles, talks and hands-on workshops around the world. SDOP 8 Iyad is an awardwinning underwater photographer who has served as a judge in various underwater photography competitions. Iyad is especially passionate about super-macro, working with tiny creatures to display their secret beauty. Kurt Amsler Kurt read Amongst Corals and Sharks by Hans Hass at just 10 years old when in land-locked Switzerland and his lifelong passion for the sea was born. From that moment on everything revolved around diving. Kurt uses his pictures to show divers and nondivers alike the magic and wonder beneath the waves, and encourage them to respect, protect and preserve the sea and its inhabitants. Lynn Funkhouser Inducted into the inaugural Women Divers Hall of Fame, Lynn is an internationally published photographer, author, lecturer, environmentalist, adventuress and dive travel leader. Lynn has dived and photographed over 260 islands in the Philippines for two months every year since 1975. As an ardent environmentalist, Lynn is committed to making a difference through her images and presentations.