Scuba Diver Ocean Planet Issue 2/2016 | Page 38

ADEX 2016 APRIL 15–17 SUNTEC SINGAPORE AUSTRALIA Matthew Smith Voice of the Ocean Judge Matthew Smith began shooting the coastlines of his home country of the UK before taking the plunge into underwater photography. Immigrating to Australia in 2007, he now has the Pacific Ocean as his underwater playground. Matthew won the 2014 ANZANG Nature Photographer of the Year; took first, second and third place prizes in Ocean Geographic’s 2014 Pictures of the Year; and was also a BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2014 prizewinner. He loves the “half over, half under” photograph to give an underwater image a sense of place. www.mattysmithphoto.com TOPICS Photo Video Zone A PARALLEL UNIVERSE: WINDOWS BENEATH THE WAVES: Matthew talks about his journey from the first over/under to creating the fineart pieces for which he has become renowned. AUSTRALIA Michael Aw Book Festival Speaker Michael Aw is an author, explorer and conservation photographer. His accolades include winning more than 63 international photographic awards, and in 2013 he was the first Asian to be awarded a NOGI by the American Academy of Underwater Arts and Science. In 2012, Michael’s Indonesia’s Global Treasures won the Palme d’Or International Prize for Best Book of the Year at the World Underwater Pictures Festival (Festival Mondial de l’Image Sous-Marine). www.michaelaw.com TOPICS Photo Video Zone HOW TO WIN PHOTO COMPETITIONS? WHAT ARE JUDGES LOOKING FOR?: Insider tips on successful underwater pictures and a career in photo-journalism. Main Stage APEX PREDATORS, SENTINEL ANIMALS, ICONS FOR CONSERVATION: Close encounters with orcas, great whites, tiger sharks, crocodiles and polar bears – and why we must protect them. SDOP 36