Digital Shootout

Type: Competition / workshop / expedition
Frequency: Annual (June–July, with occasional spring events at alternate locations)
Locations: Bonaire (primary), Fiji, Palau, Little Cayman, Roatan
Years active: 2001–2019 (19 events documented)
Organizer: Backscatter / Under Exposures (Dan Baldocchi and Berkley White)
Website: thedigitalshootout.com

Overview

The Digital Shootout is a week-long underwater photography and videography workshop-competition series founded by Berkley White of Backscatter and Dan Baldocchi of Light & Motion. Described as “a boot camp with benefits for underwater image-makers,” each event combines daily diving, afternoon seminars by professional underwater photographers, nightly slideshows with image critiques, demo gear from major manufacturers, and a week-ending photo and video contest with prizes often exceeding $25,000 in value ([1]).

The series grew from early Light & Motion-organized digital photography events in 2001 into a multi-location annual program that became one of the most important educational gatherings in the underwater photography community. Over its nearly two-decade run, the Shootout attracted 25 to 80 participants per event, featured staff from companies including Backscatter, Light & Motion, Aquatica, Nauticam, Canon USA, and Sea & Sea, and was closely covered by Wetpixel through live webcasts produced by Eric Cheng ([2]).

The travel operations were managed by Under Exposures, a dive photography travel company co-founded by Dan Baldocchi and Berkley White, who had been leading photo expeditions for over fifteen years by the time the Shootout reached its 11th year in 2012 ([3]).

Format and structure

A typical Digital Shootout week followed a consistent daily format established by the early Fiji and Bonaire events:

The top award was named the Jim Watt Award (also called “Best of Show”) in honor of professional photographer Jim Watt, a founding staff member. As Berkley White said each year before announcing winners: “We’re all winners here. Some of us are just prize-challenged” ([9]).

History

2001 — Origins

Light & Motion hosted an early “Digital Shootout” event, described as an “all-digital event” that professional photographer Jim Watt attended. In November 2001, Wetpixel and Deep Blue Travel co-organized the Kona Aggressor II Digital Shootout in Kona, Hawaii. Eric Cheng produced a live webcast via Iridium satellite phone — one of the first live underwater photography webcasts — and Jim Watt participated as the professional photographer. Equipment support came from Ikelite, Light & Motion, Marine Camera, Sea & Sea, and Ultralight Control Systems ([10]).

2002 — Bonaire begins

The second annual Bonaire Digital Shootout was held November 9–16, 2002, in Bonaire with Jim Watt as speaker and judge ([11]).

2003 — Kararu Komodo seminar

A Kararu Digital Photography Seminar was held in November 2003 at Komodo National Park, Indonesia, aboard the Kararu liveaboard. Three trips ran back-to-back: the first led by Jim Watt alone, the second and third adding Berkley White and Dan Baldocchi to the staff ([12]).

2004 — Fiji and Monterey

2005 — Bonaire

Digital Shootout Bonaire 2005 (July 23–30): The fourth annual event at Divi Flamingo Beach Resort, Bonaire. Directors Dan Baldocchi and Berkley White. Staff included Jim Watt, Jason Bradley, and Eric Cheng. Approximately 40 participants. Over $10,000 in prizes including a 7-day Kararu liveaboard trip to Komodo, Light & Motion Tetra housings, dive gear, and Adobe software. Sponsored by Backscatter, Light & Motion, and Wetpixel, with additional support from Kararu, Adobe, Optiquatics, Outcast Creative, Aqualung, Stahlsac, Ultralight, Nikon, ReefNet, Oceanic, and others. Package price: $1,299 double occupancy. Eric Cheng produced the daily webcast ([18], [19], [20], [21]).

2006 — Palau

Digital Shootout Palau 2006 (April 1–11): The fifth annual event at Palau Pacific Resort with diving by Sam’s Tours. 25 participants. Directors Dan Baldocchi and Berkley White; staff included Jim Watt, Sy Harris, and Eric Cheng (Wetpixel). Kevin Davidson of Sam’s Tours served as on-site photo pro. Manager Dermot Keane coordinated logistics. Over $10,000 in prizes. Package: 9 nights, 7 days of diving, $2,150 double occupancy. Eric Cheng produced the daily webcast. After Palau, the Shootout announced the return to Bonaire for 2007 ([22], [23], [24]).

2007 — Bonaire (video category added)

Digital Shootout Bonaire 2007 (June 16–23): The sixth annual event at Divi Flamingo Resort, the first to include a video category alongside four still categories. 60 participants submitted ~400 entries. Staff: Berkley White, Eric Cheng, Jim Watt, Dan Baldocchi. Sea & Sea’s Jon Davy attended, bringing prototype YS-250 strobes and donating a DX-D200 housing as a contest prize. Contest winners: Clark Miller (WA Traditional 1st, prize: Kararu 7-night liveaboard trip), Brad Brown (WA Unrestricted 1st, prize: Wakatobi 7-night trip), Jody Elliot (Macro Traditional 1st), Randy Johnson (Macro Unrestricted 1st), Susan Brown (Video 1st). Sponsors included Sea & Sea, Light & Motion, Backscatter, Ikelite, Wetpixel, Wakatobi, Kararu, DiveFilm, Gates Housings, Amphibico, DivePhotoGuide, Ultralight, and Stahlsac ([25], [26], [27], [28]).

2008 — Bonaire (David Fleetham joins)

Digital Shootout Bonaire 2008 (June 7–14): 58 participants. Staff expanded to include David Fleetham (professional photographer with over 100 magazine covers), alongside Berkley White, Eric Cheng, Dan Baldocchi, Mary Lynn Price (DiveFilm, video seminars), Daniel Brown, Len Bucko, Russ Sanoian (Backscatter), and Jim Decker (Backscatter). Best of Show / Jim Watt Award: John Muhilly. Category winners: Rusty Childress (Macro Traditional 1st and 3rd), Joel Penner (WA Traditional 1st, WA Unrestricted 1st), Erin Quigley (Macro Unrestricted 2nd, WA Unrestricted 2nd). Judges: Berkley White, David Fleetham, Eric Cheng (stills); Dan Baldocchi and Mary Lynn Price (video). Package: $1,599 (boat diving) or $1,399 (shore only). Demo gear available from Sea & Sea, Light & Motion, Ikelite, Ultralight, and Aquatica ([29], [30], [31], [32]).

2009 — Bonaire (8th annual, Compact Camera category added)

Digital Shootout Bonaire 2009 (June 6–13): The eighth annual event. Staff: Berkley White, David Fleetham, Dan Baldocchi, Mary Lynn Price. A new Compact Camera category was added to the contest alongside the standard Macro and Wide-Angle categories. Wetpixel Quarterly Magazine subscriptions were awarded as prizes to Karen Doody, Ron Lagerloff, and Richard Younger. Daily coverage was posted to the Digital Shootout website ([33], [34], [35]).

2010 — Little Cayman (new location)

Digital Shootout Little Cayman 2010 (June, week-long): The Shootout relocated from Bonaire to Little Cayman Beach Resort for the first time. Sponsored by Backscatter, Aquatica, Light & Motion, Canon, Sea & Sea, Wakatobi, Wetpixel, and others. Sterling Zumbrunn reported for Wetpixel. The Canon 5D Mark II video shooting with Magic Filter was a hot topic among participants. The event announced it would return to Bonaire for 2011 ([36], [37]).

2011 — Bonaire (10th anniversary, $45,000 in prizes)

Digital Shootout Bonaire 2011 (June 18–25): The tenth annual event at Divi Flamingo Resort. 60 participants. Over $45,000 in prizes — the largest prize pool to date. Jim Watt Award: Jeff Honda (artistic use of Snell’s window; also won Video and WA Unrestricted). Other 1st place winners: Mike Light, David Gordon, Peter Riekstins, Samantha Riekstins, and Boaz Meiri. Staff: Berkley White, Mary Lynn Price, Jim Decker, Erin Quigley, and Sterling Zumbrunn. On-site manufacturer representatives included Jim Decker and Russ Sanoian (Backscatter), Jean Bruneau (Aquatica), Chris Parsons (Nauticam USA), Charlie Mazel and Ross Kniffin (NightSea), Ed Meyers (Canon USA), and Marissa Wiganowske (Pegasus Thruster). Staff also tested prototype gear and produced reviews for manufacturers ([38], [39]).

2012 — Little Cayman (11th year)

Digital Shootout Little Cayman 2012 (June 16–23): The eleventh event at Little Cayman Beach Resort, diving the Bloody Bay Marine Park. 80 participants and staff. Seminars by Berkley White (photo/video techniques), Sterling Zumbrunn and Erin Quigley (Lightroom/Photoshop post-processing), Mary Lynn Price (video storytelling). Jim Watt Award: Mark Devillier. Other winners: Jeff Honda (Video 1st), Philip Seys, Anthony Santos, Jeff Lemelin, Lureen Ferretti, and Michael Maes. Over $35,000 in prizes. Demo gear from Aquatica, Nauticam, Light & Motion, Pegasus Thruster, and Canon USA. Organized by Under Exposures (Dan Baldocchi and Berkley White) ([40]).

2013 — Bonaire

Digital Shootout Bonaire 2013 (June): 60 participants, nearly 20 staff. Guest speakers: Berkley White, Sterling Zumbrunn, Joel and Jennifer Penner, and Ed Meyers (Canon USA). Erin Quigley held Lightroom sessions; Mary Lynn Price taught video production. Competition winner: Philip Seys, with a dramatically lit macro portrait of a seahorse ([41]).

2014 — Little Cayman (13th year)

Digital Shootout Little Cayman 2014 (June 13–20): The thirteenth annual event at Little Cayman Beach Resort. 80 participants. Contest results posted on the Digital Shootout website ([42]).

2016 — Little Cayman

Digital Shootout Little Cayman 2016: Jim Watt Award: Greg Sherman. Category winners: Marteyne van Well (Wide Angle Unrestricted), Jim Decker (Macro Traditional), James Peddle (Macro Unrestricted), Jennifer Devillier (Point and Shoot), Amalie Frischknecht (Video) ([43]).

2017 — Bonaire

Digital Shootout Bonaire 2017 (June 17–24): Held at Divi Flamingo Resort. 60 participants ([44]).

2018 — Roatan (new location)

Digital Shootout Roatan 2018 (June): For the first time, the Shootout was held at Coco View Resort in Roatan, Honduras. Jim Watt Award: Alex Seys (video). Joel Penner produced a “day-in-the-life” video of the event ([45]).

2019 — Little Cayman (last documented event)

Digital Shootout Little Cayman 2019: 70 participants and 20 staff at Little Cayman Beach Resort. Jim Watt Award: Natasha Hinojosa. Category winners: Molly Alvino (Wide Angle Traditional), Hannes Klostermann (Wide Angle Unrestricted), Patricia Dusman (Macro Traditional), Greg Sherman (Macro Unrestricted), Ann Donahue (Point and Shoot), Marteyne van Well (Video) ([46]).

Note: No Digital Shootout events are documented in 2015 or 2020–2023. The COVID-19 pandemic likely prevented events from 2020 onward. Whether the series resumed after the archive period is unknown.

Locations

LocationVenueYears
Kona, HawaiiKona Aggressor II liveaboard2001
BonaireDivi Flamingo Beach Resort2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017
Komodo, IndonesiaKararu liveaboard2003
Taveuni, FijiGarden Island Resort2004
PalauPalau Pacific Resort / Sam’s Tours2006
Little CaymanLittle Cayman Beach Resort2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2019
Roatan, HondurasCoco View Resort2018

Jim Watt Award winners (Best of Show)

YearWinnerNotes
2004Greg BangFirst formal Best of Show (Fiji)
2008John MuhillyBonaire
2011Jeff HondaArtistic use of Snell’s window; also won Video and WA Unrestricted (Bonaire)
2012Mark DevillierLittle Cayman
2016Greg ShermanLittle Cayman
2018Alex SeysVideo entry (Roatan)
2019Natasha HinojosaLittle Cayman

Key people

Organizers and core staff

Regular staff (2008–2019)

Adobe representatives

Manufacturer representatives (2011+)

From the 10th anniversary onward, major manufacturers sent staff and prototype gear:

Sponsors

The Digital Shootout was supported by a growing roster of industry sponsors over its history:

Wetpixel involvement

Wetpixel was deeply involved in the Digital Shootout from its inception:

Evolution and legacy

The Digital Shootout evolved significantly over its nearly two-decade run:

The alternating pattern between Bonaire (odd years, typically) and Little Cayman (even years) established a reliable rhythm, with occasional excursions to Palau (2006) and Roatan (2018). The Divi Flamingo Resort in Bonaire and Little Cayman Beach Resort became the event’s signature venues.

References


Sources

  1. Wetpixel article, Jul 6, 2014: The Digital Shootout 2014
  2. Wetpixel article, May 7, 2004: Digital Shootout Fiji Webcast 2004
  3. Wetpixel article, Jul 14, 2012: The Digital Shootout 2012
  4. Wetpixel article, May 7, 2004: Digital Shootout Fiji Webcast 2004
  5. Wetpixel article, Nov 17, 2005: The Digital Shootout Palau April 1 11 2006
  6. Wetpixel article, Jul 31, 2005: Bonaire Digital Shootout 2005 Daily Webcast
  7. Wetpixel article, Jul 14, 2012: The Digital Shootout 2012
  8. Wetpixel article, May 7, 2004: Digital Shootout Fiji Webcast 2004
  9. Wetpixel article, Jul 5, 2008: Bonaire Digital Shootout 2008 Winners
  10. Wetpixel article, Nov 9, 2001: Kona Aggressor Ii Digital Shootout Webcast
  11. Wetpixel article, Sep 2, 2002: Jim Watts Digital Adventures
  12. Wetpixel article, May 27, 2003: Kararu Digital Seminar
  13. Wetpixel article, May 7, 2004: Digital Shootout Fiji Webcast 2004
  14. Wetpixel article, Jan 27, 2004: Fiji Digital Shootout May 6 15th 2004
  15. Wetpixel article, May 5, 2004: Fiji Digital Shootout
  16. Wetpixel article, Jul 17, 2004: Monterey Shootout 2004
  17. Wetpixel article, Sep 9, 2004: Monterey Shootout 2004 Results
  18. Wetpixel article, Feb 26, 2005: Digital Shootout Bonaire 2005
  19. Wetpixel article, May 11, 2005: Digital Shootout 2005 Bonaire
  20. Wetpixel article, Jun 21, 2005: Bonaire Digital Shootout 2005 Prizes Announced
  21. Wetpixel article, Jul 31, 2005: Bonaire Digital Shootout 2005 Daily Webcast
  22. Wetpixel article, Apr 17, 2006: Palau Digital Shootout 2006 Daily Webcast
  23. Wetpixel article, Nov 17, 2005: The Digital Shootout Palau April 1 11 2006
  24. Wetpixel article, Jan 23, 2006: The Digital Shootout Palau Update
  25. Wetpixel article, Jun 23, 2007: Digital Shootout Bonaire 2007 Winners
  26. Wetpixel article, Jun 17, 2007: Digital Shootout Bonaire 2007 Day 0
  27. Wetpixel article, Nov 10, 2006: Digital Shootout Bonaire June 2007
  28. Wetpixel article, Jun 17, 2007: Digital Shootout Bonaire 2007 Daily Webcast
  29. Wetpixel article, Jul 5, 2008: Bonaire Digital Shootout 2008 Winners
  30. Wetpixel article, Nov 27, 2007: Join Us At The Digital Shootout Bonaire 2008
  31. Wetpixel article, Feb 28, 2008: Digital Shootout Adds David Fleetham To Workshop Staff
  32. Wetpixel article, Jun 6, 2008: Digital Shootout Bonaire 2008 Live Coverage
  33. Wetpixel article, Jun 14, 2009: The 8th Annual Digital Shootout Begins
  34. Wetpixel article, Nov 24, 2008: Join Us At The Digital Shootout Bonaire 2009
  35. Wetpixel article, Jun 24, 2009: Bonaire Digital Shootout Particispants Win Wetpixel Quarterly Subscriptions
  36. Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2010: The Digital Shootout Live Coverage Underway
  37. Wetpixel article, Jul 4, 2010: The Digital Shootout Updates Website With Winners Galleries
  38. Wetpixel article, Jul 1, 2011: Full Details Released About 2011 Digital Shootout
  39. Wetpixel article, Oct 15, 2010: Registrations For Digital Shootout 2011 Open
  40. Wetpixel article, Jul 14, 2012: The Digital Shootout 2012
  41. Wetpixel article, Jul 16, 2013: Report From The Digital Shootout Published
  42. Wetpixel article, Jul 6, 2014: The Digital Shootout 2014
  43. Wetpixel article, Jul 11, 2016: Results Digital Shootout Contest 2016
  44. Wetpixel article, Jul 18, 2017: Official Coverage From The Digital Shootout Available
  45. Wetpixel article, Jul 10, 2018: Backscatter Posts Report From Digital Shootout
  46. Wetpixel article, Jul 15, 2019: Results Digital Shootout 2019
  47. Wetpixel article, May 7, 2004: Digital Shootout Fiji Webcast 2004
  48. Wetpixel article, Jul 14, 2012: The Digital Shootout 2012
  49. Wetpixel article, Jul 31, 2005: Bonaire Digital Shootout 2005 Daily Webcast
  50. Wetpixel article, Nov 9, 2001: Kona Aggressor Ii Digital Shootout Webcast
  51. Wetpixel article, Jul 5, 2008: Bonaire Digital Shootout 2008 Winners
  52. Wetpixel article, May 7, 2004: Digital Shootout Fiji Webcast 2004
  53. Wetpixel article, Apr 17, 2006: Palau Digital Shootout 2006 Daily Webcast
  54. Wetpixel article, May 7, 2004: Digital Shootout Fiji Webcast 2004
  55. Wetpixel article, Nov 27, 2007: Join Us At The Digital Shootout Bonaire 2008
  56. Wetpixel article, Oct 15, 2010: Registrations For Digital Shootout 2011 Open
  57. Wetpixel article, Jul 5, 2008: Bonaire Digital Shootout 2008 Winners
  58. Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2010: The Digital Shootout Live Coverage Underway
  59. Wetpixel article, Oct 15, 2010: Registrations For Digital Shootout 2011 Open
  60. Wetpixel article, Jul 11, 2016: Results Digital Shootout Contest 2016
  61. Wetpixel article, Jul 5, 2008: Bonaire Digital Shootout 2008 Winners
  62. Wetpixel article, Jul 5, 2008: Bonaire Digital Shootout 2008 Winners
  63. Wetpixel article, Jul 5, 2008: Bonaire Digital Shootout 2008 Winners
  64. Wetpixel article, Jul 10, 2018: Backscatter Posts Report From Digital Shootout
  65. Wetpixel article, Feb 28, 2008: Digital Shootout Adds David Fleetham To Workshop Staff
  66. Wetpixel article, Jul 31, 2005: Bonaire Digital Shootout 2005 Daily Webcast
  67. Wetpixel article, May 7, 2004: Digital Shootout Fiji Webcast 2004
  68. Wetpixel article, May 7, 2004: Digital Shootout Fiji Webcast 2004
  69. Wetpixel article, Jul 17, 2004: Monterey Shootout 2004
  70. Wetpixel article, Jul 1, 2011: Full Details Released About 2011 Digital Shootout
  71. Wetpixel article, Jul 1, 2011: Full Details Released About 2011 Digital Shootout
  72. Wetpixel article, Jul 1, 2011: Full Details Released About 2011 Digital Shootout
  73. Wetpixel article, Jul 1, 2011: Full Details Released About 2011 Digital Shootout
  74. Wetpixel article, Jun 23, 2007: Digital Shootout Bonaire 2007 Winners
  75. Wetpixel article, Nov 9, 2001: Kona Aggressor Ii Digital Shootout Webcast
  76. Wetpixel article, May 7, 2004: Digital Shootout Fiji Webcast 2004
  77. Wetpixel article, May 10, 2004: Digital Shootout Fiji 2004 Webcast
  78. Wetpixel article, Jul 31, 2005: Bonaire Digital Shootout 2005 Daily Webcast
  79. Wetpixel article, Apr 17, 2006: Palau Digital Shootout 2006 Daily Webcast
  80. Wetpixel article, Jul 5, 2008: Bonaire Digital Shootout 2008 Winners
  81. Wetpixel article, Jun 24, 2009: Bonaire Digital Shootout Particispants Win Wetpixel Quarterly Subscriptions
  82. Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2010: The Digital Shootout Live Coverage Underway
  83. Wetpixel article, Apr 17, 2006: Palau Digital Shootout 2006 Daily Webcast
  84. Wetpixel article, Jul 6, 2014: The Digital Shootout 2014
  85. Wetpixel article, Feb 26, 2005: Digital Shootout Bonaire 2005
  86. Wetpixel article, Jul 1, 2011: Full Details Released About 2011 Digital Shootout
  87. Wetpixel article, Nov 10, 2006: Digital Shootout Bonaire June 2007
  88. Wetpixel article, Jun 25, 2010: The Digital Shootout Live Coverage Underway
  89. Wetpixel article, Jun 14, 2009: The 8th Annual Digital Shootout Begins
  90. Wetpixel article, Jul 1, 2011: Full Details Released About 2011 Digital Shootout
  91. Wetpixel article, Jul 14, 2012: The Digital Shootout 2012
  92. Kona Aggressor II Digital Shootout Webcast (article)
  93. Jim Watt’s Digital Adventures (article)
  94. Kararu Digital Seminar (article)
  95. Fiji Digital Shootout, May 6-15th, 2004 (article)
  96. Fiji Digital Shootout (article)
  97. Digital Shootout Fiji Webcast 2004 (article)
  98. Digital Shootout Fiji 2004 Webcast (article)
  99. Digital Shootout Fiji 2004 - Updated (article)
  100. Monterey Shootout 2004 (article)
  101. Monterey Shootout 2004 Results (article)
  102. Digital Shootout Bonaire 2005 (article)
  103. Digital Shootout, July 2005 - Bonaire (article)
  104. Bonaire Digital Shootout 2005 prizes announced (article)
  105. Bonaire Digital Shootout 2005: Daily Webcast (article)
  106. The Digital Shootout Palau, April 1-11, 2006 (article)
  107. The Digital Shootout Palau (article)
  108. Palau Digital Shootout 2006 Daily Webcast (article)
  109. Digital Shootout Bonaire, June 2007 (article)
  110. Digital Shootout Bonaire 2007 Day 0 (article)
  111. Digital Shootout Bonaire 2007 Daily Webcast (article)
  112. Digital Shootout Bonaire 2007 Winners (article)
  113. Join us at the Digital Shootout Bonaire 2008 (article)
  114. Digital Shootout adds David Fleetham to workshop staff (article)
  115. Digital Shootout Bonaire 2008 Live Coverage (article)
  116. Bonaire Digital Shootout 2008 Winners (article)
  117. Join us at the Digital Shootout Bonaire 2009 (article)
  118. The 2009 Digital Shootout Winners (article)
  119. Digital Shootout participants win Wetpixel Quarterly (article)
  120. The Digital Shootout live coverage underway (article)
  121. The Digital Shootout updates website with winners’ galleries (article)
  122. Registrations for Digital Shootout 2011 open (article)
  123. Full details of 2011 Digital Shootout released (article)
  124. The Digital Shootout 2012 (article)
  125. Report from the 2013 Digital Shootout published (article)
  126. The Digital Shootout 2014 (article)
  127. Results: Digital Shootout Contest 2016 (article)
  128. Official Coverage from the Digital Shootout available (article)
  129. Backscatter posts report from Digital Shootout (article)
  130. Results: Digital Shootout 2019 (article)