The international underwater photo grand prix, Epson World ShootOut 2011, has just concluded.

During the month of August, the whole underwater world performed as one huge festival, hosting professional and amateur photographers competing with each other for some very worthy World ShootOut prizes.

Prizes worth 70,000 USD were awarded to the winners of the 7 categories, including cash, diving trips to dreamy destinations, underwater photo equipment and more.

226 photographers participated in the World ShootOut competition. Participants submitted their images from 27 different countries all around the world, including Alaska, China, Egypt, Russia, Tahiti, Mexico, Papua New Guinea and more.

All in all, 1556 images were submitted to the competition. Those who will reach the semi-final stages of the competition will be introduced in a special World ShootOut exhibition at the annual Epson Red Sea event, which will take place this November at the Isrotel Yam-Suf hotel in Eilat.

“This was the first time ever such a competition took place in the world”, says David Pilosof, producer of the World ShootOut, “photographers competed their colleagues from all around the world by diving in their most favorite local wet territory”.

All World ShootOut categories winners and nominees will be announced on a festive winning ceremony in Eilat, Israel, November 18th, 2011.