JOIN US IN BONAIRE – JUNE 14-28, 2025
THE WORLD’S BEST UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
The Digital Shootout, hosted by Backscatter, is a renowned annual event for underwater photography and videography enthusiasts. It is a two week-long immersive workshop and competition that provides participants with the opportunity to improve their skills, test the latest underwater photography gear, and engage with a community of like-minded underwater image-makers. The event is held at premier dive locations known for their vibrant marine life and clear waters, making it an ideal setting for underwater imaging.
DETAILS
OUR TWO WEEK SCHEDULE
One week isn’t enough for all the great diving, learning, and fun at The Digital Shootout. Our two-week schedule allows us to offer even more classes without having to choose between attending a seminar or going on the afternoon dive. You can now do it all! Each afternoon there will be a seminar after the PM boat dive and every other evening there will be an image critique up on the big screen. Classes the first week will cover the basics of underwater photography and Lightroom techniques and gradually move to more advanced topics.
SEE ALL THE DETAILS HERE »
VIEW OUR TWO WEEK SCHEDULE »
DIVING/RESORT
SPECTACULAR BONAIRE DIVING
Bonaire is home to the Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino – a colorful, casual resort painted in hues of blue, pink, and warm yellow. The Divi Flamingo has all of the modern amenities. Divi Dive Bonaire – a PADI five star dive operation with custom dive boats, gear, and an experienced dive crew – is right at the resort with unlimited shore diving. World-class Caribbean scuba diving in Bonaire offers plentiful opportunities from boat or shore for both macro and wide angle photography.
CHECK OUT THE RESORT & DIVING »
SEMINARS
SEMINARS EVERY AFTERNOON
Each afternoon we offer professionally produced seminars on basic and advanced photo and video techniques. Just learning how to assemble your camera for the first time? Looking for the secrets of exposure and strobe placement? Our seminars are world renowned for their simple delivery of complex topics and will take you to the next level.
CHECK OUT OUR AWESOME SEMINAR TOPICS »
COMPETITION
FRIENDY COMPETITION WITH BIG PRIZES
With our staff of world renowned underwater photography pros and comprehensive seminars, you’ll have taken your shooting to the next level by week two. Fostering a supportive learning environment for all skill levels, the friendly competition awards over $50,000 in prizes.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR FRIENDLY COMPETITION »
DIVE INTO THE BEST DEMO GEAR STAFF IN THE INDUSTRY
THE DIGITAL SHOOTOUT IS SPONSORED BY:
DIGITAL SHOOTOUT STAFF
BERKLEY WHITE
Owner and founder of Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo. Berkley is one of the leading underwater imaging professionals, who’s passion for underwater imaging is equaled by his passion for educating others. His images and articles are regularly seen in national and international scuba diving publications, and he leads several educational underwater imaging expeditions each year, such as The Digital Shootout. To view his online portfolio, please visit berkleywhite.com.
JIM DECKER
As the CEO of Backscatter, Jim is one of the top experts in the world on underwater photo and video equipment and shooting technique. From SLRs to compacts and handycams to broadcast video, Jim has shot video and photo systems from all the major underwater manufacturers and has been a consultant on many of the designs seen in the water today. Jim has also consulted with many professional photographers, production companies, resorts, and magazines including Mythbusters, Discovery Channel, Sport Diver Magazine, Scuba Diving Magazine, Into The Drink, National Geographic, Freshwaters Illustrated, and many more.
ERIN QUIGLEY
Erin Quigley, Digital Imaging Consultant specializing in customized workflows and editing strategies, and Award-Winning Underwater Photographer, will help you sort out your processing woes. These one-on-one or small group sessions will be informal and based on participant’s interest, so bring Erin your images for tutorials and tips to improve your post production skills. For more information about Erin, please see: https://www.goaskerin.com/
CRISTIAN DIMITRIUS
Cristian Dimitrius is a Brazilian Emmy Award Winning cinematographer, photographer and television presenter specializing in wildlife and natural history films around the world. On land or underwater, from ants to whales, Cristian’s innovative cinematography and unorthodox camera techniques are helping revolutionise the way people see and perceive wildlife. Cristian pushes the boundaries of wildlife filmmaking with his amazing still images and stunning video sequences. In addition to several film credits, Cristian has shot for the world’s top television networks including the BBC, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, History Channel, Animal Planet & Globo TV. For more information about Cristian, please see: www.cristiandimitrius.com
HERGEN SPALINK
Hergen Spalink is at the forefront of underwater imaging, capturing sublime images and video using the latest gear, provided by industry-leading equipment manufacturer Nauticam. Hergen is also co-author of the online Underwater Photography Course for Lynda.com along with award winning graphic designer Deke McClelland. Since 2010, Hergen and his partner Kerri Bingham have been leading exclusive underwater photography safaris and workshops in the world’s best dive destinations through their travel company Got Muck LLC. Their guests benefit from the couple’s deep passion for the underwater world and twelve years of experience living and managing dive businesses in Indonesia and the Caribbean. Hergen is a PADI scuba diving instructor and also an Adobe Certified Expert in Lightroom. Hergen is a frequent contributor to leading underwater photography websites and magazines worldwide.
TODD WINNER
Todd Winner has been diving and photographing marine life since 1990. As a professional underwater photographer and cinematographer, his work has appeared in commercials, museums and private collections. Todd is a regular contributor to Sport Diver and Scuba Diving magazines and has won over 60 international underwater photography competitions.
Based out of Southern California, Todd works for Nauticam as a content provider and equipment specialist on the west coast. He runs several international and domestic underwater workshops every year and is a proud member of the Ocean Artists Society, which uses ocean art to inspire people around the world to a greater awareness of our need to protect and preserve our natural world. To find out more please go to toddwinner.com or immersedimaging.com
JOEL PENNER
Joel is the founder of Newmediasoup, LLC, a multimedia and event coverage company. He also provides multimedia projects for Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo and is a part of their digital media team. He is also an active product tester for Backscatter assisting with underwater video camera testing and video editing for new products. His underwater video footage has been licensed to Disney+, National Geographic and more. His images have been published in various magazines, such as, Scuba Diver TTL, Scuba Diver Ocean Planet, Scuba Diving and Sport Diver. Along with his wife Jennifer, they have authored many published articles on techniques to improve underwater imaging for GoPro cameras and DSLRs, and are regular presenters at scuba diving trade shows.
JENNIFER PENNER
Jen’s foray-turned-passion for underwater photography started as a participant at the Digital Shootout in 2008 (ask her some time about her first nightly image critiques). She quickly retired her all-auto point&shoot camera for a DSLR, and now would be in the water everyday with her camera if possible. Her images have been published in various magazines, such as, Scuba Diver TTL, Scuba Diver Ocean Planet, Scuba Diving and Sport Diver. Along with her husband Joel, they have authored many published articles on techniques to improve underwater imaging for GoPro cameras and DSLRs, and are regular presenters at scuba diving trade shows. When not in her ocean office, she attends to their multimedia company, Newmediasoup, LLC.
JAMES EMERY
Backscatter Photo Pro, James has spent the last 11 years working in the field of underwater imaging throughout Asia, including Thailand, the Philippines, and the Maldives, with his most recent role managing the Authorized Backscatter Photo Center at Lembeh Resort in Indonesia. Through his extensive experience, he loves to share his knowledge with others and talk about everything related to the underwater world.
ELISA ISOTTA AND ANDREA COMERLATI
100% Made in Italy, since 1967 Isotta‘s family has marketed high-end equipment for underwater video, photography and lighting, starting its own production in 1980 in Castelnuovo del Garda (Verona), Northern Italy. Founded by professional photographer Egidio Isotta, the brand is reknown for its craftsmanship, for fostering innovation and pursuing excellence in every facet of manufacturing. Today, this tradition is continuing with Elisa Isotta, who with her husband Andrea, has led the company since 2006: she drives forward her father’s same innovation principles guiding a team that works with passion and commitment with the aim of maximum quality of each product.
MARISSA WIGANOWSKE
Marissa Wiganowske is the President of Pegasus Manufacturing, a complete line of thrusters for professional and recreational divers along with underwater vehicles. She has been in the dive industry for over 18 years, previously with Pro Dive International as both the Director of Marketing and Admissions while being their Master Scuba Diver Trainer. She has found her international work in marine conservation, shark research, and military diving as some of the most rewarding. As a competitor in the extreme sports world she Co-Founded the Northeast Progression Wakeboarding School. Being a sponge in the underwater world her passion for underwater photography expands every time she’s below the surface.
THOMAS ANDERSON
For over 6 years, Thomas Anderson has been diving deep into the world of underwater photography at Backscatter. His journey has taken him through five different positions, giving him a unique and well-rounded perspective on everything you need to capture stunning underwater images. Now, as Backscatter’s Media Producer, Thomas brings his passion for the ocean and cameras to life in our videos, showcasing the incredible equipment available to take your underwater photography to the next level.
DAVIDE LOMBROSO
Born in Milan on 29.03.1965, married with 2 kids, I’m currently living in Trieste since 2010. Professional UW diver certification in 1985 for 3 years I was working on platform, before to move as dive guide in a Tour operator all around the world with long time in Maldives, my preferred sea!!! I started my UW photo passion in Maldives with the iconic Nikonos III, then on 1996 my first year within the FIPSAS CMAS circuit competition. My first competition was within Fish Hunting competition where I was 4 times Italian Champion. In parallel I was also taking part to UW photograph competition in Italy where I’m the current Italian Champion after the 2019 and 2020 won, for the third consecutive time. I’m currently part of Italian National Team of UW Photography.
DAN BALDOCCHI
Underwater digital photography equipment expert Dan Baldocchi was part of the Light & Motion team for over ten years. From the humble beginnings of early digital cameras to the latest digital SLRs, Dan has been an industry expert in the evolution of underwater digital photography. Leading photo expeditions since 1998 with his company Under Exposoures, and as co-founder of the Digital Shootout, Dan has introduced countless divers to the exciting world of underwater digital photography.
