Divers vie for best photo of ancient submerged city

Source: The Daily Star

TYRE, Lebanon: Divers showed off their photography skills while exploring a submerged ancient Phoenician city at the second annual International Underwater Photography Contest in Tyre. The event, held Sept. 13 and 14 as part of the Lebanon Water Festival, showcased the talents of 10 divers. Festival co-founder Simon Khoury said he was pleased to see Lebanese divers taking part in the contest.

“We are pleased to see that all the people of Tyre have become more receptive to this event. We chose Tyre’s underwater Phoenician city, which gives this competition a historic edge,” he said.

The competition was divided into three photographic categories: macro photography, wide-angle photography and photographs of the ruins. Luis Perez Suarez, a world-renowned photographer from Argentina, came in first place in the last two categories.

“I am happy to have the opportunity to dive among other Lebanese divers,” Suarez said. “ Tyre is a good place to dive because there is a lot of history and the ruins. I will definitely be back next year.”

The divers took advantage of good weather and calm waters to show off both their underwater skills and photographic know-how. They visited three diving sites over the course of the two-day event.

Mario Lahoud, who took third place in the macro category, said capturing marine life was his passion.

“It was my second time diving in Tyre,” he said. “Overall, it was interesting to meet and dive with other divers who are also passionate about exploring what is under the sea.”

Five judges used their credentials to evaluate every photo based on a number of criteria.

“Hopefully when we have a proper diving federation one day, we will ask to have a world contest in Tyre in the next two years,” Khoury said.