Outgoing President's Message

We had a very nice turnout for our annual December dinner meeting, and I know that all who attended had a wonderful evening.  Thanks to those who contributed to the success of the event - whether food, beverages or door prizes.  And special thanks are due to Kathy Ringrose, who again coordinated the event and made sure that everything ran smoothly and without a hitch!

Finally, thanks to all of you for putting up with me for the past two years as President of the club.  Truly, it has been an honor and a privilege to serve, and I hope I did a half-way creditable job.  As we look ahead to 2002, each of us can rest assured that the helm is in steady hands: what better combo could we come up with than David Lenderman as President and Dennis Deavenport as Vice President?  Each is an excellent photographer; each has a proven record of accomplishments, both individually and on behalf of HUPS; and each has a lot energy and some great new ideas for future progams.  No doubt about it in my mind: 2002 will be a banner year for HUPS!

Have a safe and happy New Year.  See you on January 7th!

Robert
rshak@airmail.net

1st Place Advanced Pacific - Dennis Deavenport ©2001

Happy New Year!

Want to be HUPS 2002 Photographer of the Year?
Contest Rules for 2002

Below are the points calculations for selection of HUPS Photographer of the Year.  The HUPS Photographer of the Year must be a current HUPS member to be considered for this award.  This award is presented to the member with the most contest points.  The Photo Contest Chairman will tabulate these points.  Contest points are earned as follows:

1. Monthly HUPS Photo Contest
   Actual points scored for each slide; three judges each score from 1 to 9.  Points earned will be 3-27 for each slide.  Each member may submit 3 slides each month for each category (all months have only one category except December which has two).  For the months of January through November, the actual scored points on all entries will be accumulated.  December is not included, as it is a separate contest.

2. Other Underwater Photo Contest (see note below)

   Place	Points
   For entering	3
   1st Place	9
   2nd Place	6
   3rd Place	3

   Note: With the exception of the monthly HUPS photo contest, it is the responsibility of the photographer (entrant) to provide documentation of participation in items #2-4 to the HUPS Photo Contest Chairperson(s).

3. Making a presentation at any monthly HUPS meeting: 15 points

4. Article in HUPS newsletter, "Underwater Images": 9 points
   

Congrats to Gary Merritt

HUPS member Gary Merritt places in prestigious LAUPS International Photo Competition.  Gary was awarded 3rd place in the Standard Print category with a shot of a Queen Angel.  In addition Gary received an Honorable Mention in the wide-angle category for a shot of a Blue Angel.  Gary will be a presenter at the January meeting so if you want to see more of Gary’s work come on out.

If you know of a HUPS member that recently won a contest or was published please forward to your Editor.  Don’t be afraid to toot your own horn.

Dennis Deavenport Named HUPS Member of the Year for 2001

Based on several years of dedicated involvement with HUPS Dennis was chosen as the 2001 Member of the Year.  Dennis has done a great job organizing the Seaspace booth for the last couple of years.  Along with Paul Levy, Dennis has helped run the monthly photo contest.  Something new that Dennis created on his own are the HUPS Scrapbooks.  If you have not taken the time to look through these beautiful books you are really missing out.

Dennis, thanks for all your hard work.  You are now entitled to all the fame and fortune that comes with being HUPS Member of the Year.

Co-Chair Needed for Monthly HUPS Competition

Now that Dennis has moved into the office of the vice-president we need someone to help out with the monthly contests.  Paul Levy will continue his involvement and is looking for a new sidekick.  No experience required.  On the job training with be offered.  This is a great way for you to be more involved and make new friends within HUPS.  If you are interested in helping out speak with Paul Levey, Dennis Deavenport or David Lenderman.

Check it Out on the Web

Need help with your photo exposures?  Click on the link below to reach several artirticles on "surefire" exposure methods for everything from macro to ambient light.  Written by former HUPS member Franklin Viola these articles have many great tips.
   http://scubadiving.com/photo/instruction/surefire/

If you have any favorite photography/diving websites you would like to share with HUPS members shoot an email to suewatson@mail.ev1.net.

OOPS! HUPS member Kat Smith’s winning photo appeared on the December cover of Skin Diver Magazine, not the November cover of Rodale's Scuba Diving as reported in the newsletter last month last month.

The DS-125...digital was created especially for use with new digital cameras, but is completely compatible with current film cameras including the Nikonos and all of the newest Nikon systems.  Check it out at Ikelite.

TGCC Banquet February 2 at the Monument Inn

Come join your dive buddies at this event where Divers of the Year for various clubs, including HUPS, will be recognized.  The Monument Inn will be a new banquet location for 2002.  This restaurant overlooks the Houston Ship Channel and will offer an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet including cold boiled shrimp, oysters on the half shell, fried catfish, shrimp, oysters, stuffed crab, french fries, cinnamon rolls and dinner rolls.

For more information and tickets see our TGCC rep Frank Burek or go to TGCC's web site.
[Webmaster's completely unsolicited editorial comment: In light of the beleaguered state of the marine life in our oceans -- e.g., a report by the U.S. State department Coral Reefs: Overfishing and Global Food Security discusses overfishing, collapse of fisheries, impending extinction for some species, and habitat destruction -- I am disappointed that TGCC has selected an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet for the banquet, and I will not attend.]

Other TGCC News Tidbits...

• Our own David Lenderman has been selected as the TGCC College Scholarship recipient for 2002!
• Jimmy Atkinson was selected as Diver of the Year.
• Frank Burek is our HUPS representative for TGCC and he is looking for a volunteer to serve as an alternate to attend TGCC meeting when he can’t make it.  Please contact Frank if you are interested in serving as a TGCC alternate rep.
  

SEASPACE 2002 Photo Competition Chair Needed

SEASPACE is looking for a 2002 Chairperson for the International Photo Competition.  This is a funded position by SEASPACE ($1,000).  If you are interested, or would like more information, please contact Ken Knezick.

Advanced - Gulf, Caribbean, Atlantic
1st	Joyce Burek
2nd	Joyce Burek
3rd	Frank Burek
Advanced - Pacific, Indonesia, Indian Ocean
1st	Dennis Deavenport
2nd	Dennis Deavenport
3rd	Joyce Burek
Novice - Gulf, Caribbean, Atlantic
1st	Drew Trent
2nd	Drew Trent
3rd	David Lenderman
Novice - Pacific, Indonesia, Indian Ocean
1st	David Lenderman
2nd	Lee Mixon
3rd	David Lenderman

Monthly Photo Contest Rules

1. Photographs must have been taken underwater, with the exception of the "Marine Surface Slides," a category which will be announced periodically.
2. The photographs must be the work of the photographer named on the slide.  The photographer does not have to be present at the monthly meeting to enter their slide.
3. No aquarium, pool, or over/under shots.
4. Photographs with divers touching or stressing marine life will not be judged.
5. Entries that have won 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, in previous HUPS contests, or any major competition are ineligible.  The only exception being the Best of HUPS night at the December meeting.
6. Slides will be disqualified if in the opinion of the Photo Contest Chairman and monthly judge, the slides do not meet the monthly subject matter, or do not meet one of the aforementioned rules.
7. All contest judging will be performed by a judge selected by the HUPS Photo Judge Coordinator, except nights when it is announced that the general membership will judge.  In these instances the Photo Contest Chairman will tabulate all ballots.
8. If a member wishes to question the results of a contest, they must submit their complaint in contest to the Photo Contest Chairman or any club officer.  The complaint must include: complainant's name, questionable slide, nature of complaint (indicating rule broken), proof behind complaint.
9. The Board of Directors will review the complaint, and if they find merit, they may disqualify the slide.

For those of you who have not yet renewed your membership please fill out the form below and bring it to the next meeting or mail it to Jean Himes.

Houston Underwater Photographic Society Membership Application Name: ____________________________________________ Street Address: __________________________________ __________________________________________________ City: ____________________________________________ State: _______________ Zip Code: _________________ Home Phone: ______________________________________ Work Phone: ______________________________________ Email Address: ___________________________________ Would you like to receive your newsletter via email? Yes or No Dues (check one):   _____Individual ($30)  _____Family ($35) - after January 1, 2002