19/09/2024
After a long and necessary period of reflection, the Organizing Committee of the Abissi UnderwaterPhotoVenice Association wish to communicate the cessation of the "Abissi" project, International Underwater Photography Competition - City of Venice. In 2008, when we organized the first edition of the Competition, we did so by focusing some specific targets. And thanks to tenacious willpower and commitment, these targets have been reached and even exceeded beyond all expectations. Forced to witness over the years the problematic transition from films to digital photography, the creation of increasingly advanced photo editing software up to the most recent AI, and the entry onto the market of lenses that have overturned the traditional canons of underwater photography, we considered It was necessary to work drastically to modify the now stale regulations linked to traditional underwater photography competitions and this was possible thanks to the help of jurors who were experts from both a technical and biological point of view. It was a very hard job that pushed us harder and harder. We have created new rules and new categories in order to optimize the quality as well as the graphic appearance of the competing images and to encourage photographers to search for new subjects or situations.
To maintain Abissi at a high international level, we had to carry out a huge amount of work which took us at least 14 months per edition and the results obtained were gratifying. In recent years our organizational standards, our strategies and our tenders have often been imitated, if not even copied, but that was fine for us. It meant that we were on the right path and that our work was appreciated. A reason for pride for us is the fact that many underwater photographers made their debut for the first time by winning a podium in Venice have then confirmed themselves in the following years among the best at an international level, just as some new images awarded in our competition for the first time have subsequently won some of the most prestigious contests in the world.
We had the great joy and fortune of meeting some fantastic and beautiful people who helped us, advised us, taught us and inspired us. Unfortunately, someone left us too soon, but we will jealously cherish their memory forever. 15 editions, 6500 images, 32 nations, over 900 participants, 70 sponsors, more than 50 conferences dedicated to the sea and diving, the creation of the Italian Underwater Photographer of the Year, a title registered at the Venice Chamber of Commerce, the prestigious collaboration with DAN EUROPE, the awarding with 3 TOP AWARDS and, very important and fundamental, the hospitality and collaboration of the Natural History Museum of Venice... we couldn't ask for more. We want to thank all the underwater photographers who participated in Abissi, the Jurors, the Sponsors, our Families and Friends who helped us, the Venetian Civic Museums Foundation, the Natural History Museum of Venice and its staff. Without their support we would never have been able to realize this ambitious project. We hope that during these 15 years we have managed to convey our love and respect for the sea and the creatures that live there, instilling in those who have followed us a dutiful and necessary spirit of protection towards the Sixth Continent.
