Whats a Shootout?

A shootout competition is about limited film and limited time. You have to take your chances along with everyone else. The pictures you take will seldom be your best shots ever, but the more skill (or luck) you have, the more chance you have of winning a prize. New categories for digital & video are still having the lumps and bumps evened out, since its not as simple to monitor fairplay. Luckily, the people competing at Sodwana Bay are good sports, and the organisers learn a little every year about making the process auditable. In the Sodwana Bay Shootout, you get two roles of marked slide film and two days of diving. You can dive with any operator, even your own boat. The pictures have to be taken in Sodwana Bay, and this year, they had to be in the sea. One film had to be handed in each day, to allow the developing to happen over two days. 3 different categories cater for different skill levels and judging is blind. It’s competitive but its also mutually supportive and very festive.