Jury May-August 2024
Luca Chiarabini Memorial Contest 2024, Round May-August Jury Members
Luca Chiarabini
MEMORIAL
Photo Contest
2024
Worldwide Edition
(Free participation)
JURY MEMBERS
Round May-Aug 2024
We thank our Jury Members for their time and cooperation!
closing 31 Aug.
JURY BIOGRAPHY
PHIL BENCE (France).
Exploration caver for over 25 years
I have participated in numerous expeditions in more than 40 different countries across 5 continents.
Expert in cave rescue and a certified instructor. I participate in specialized technical training in France and abroad.
Ambassador and equipment tester for Petzl.
A photographer of the underground world since 2005, my images are regularly published and have received awards in various competitions.
I am also an expert rope access technician and a documentary filmmaker.
Website: www.explos.fr
GUSTAVO VELA (Mexico).
Co-leader of the Sierra Negra Speleological Project
I was born in Mexico City and for 27 years I have dedicated myself to caving, from exploration to photographic documentation. I have participated in countless expeditions in Mexico and in various countries such as Cuba, Abhazia, Chile, Iran, Spain, China among other places.
In Mexico I am co-leader of the Sierra Negra Speleological Project where together with several colleagues and friends we discovered a cave more than 1000 meters deep: Santito Cave.
I am currently traveling the west coast of Africa by bicycle, having covered 11 countries and 12,300 kilometers in 11 months.
Instagram: @vagabundodelmundo1973
Youtube: @vagabundodelmundo1973
Facebook: facebook.com/vagabundodelmundo
SAVVAS PARAGKAMIAN (Greece)
Certified instructor in canyoning
I have been fortunate to have started from very young age to explore caves and learn about cave life with my father. Since 2012, I have been a certified instructor (moniteur) in canyoning by the French Federation of Speleology. I have instructed more than 25 seminars for both speleology and canyoning for over 150 participants. My favorite activity is exploring new places which has led me to organize and join several expeditions to canyons and caves.
Instagram: @the_unonoctium
Facebook: facebook.com/savvas.paragamian
PAT SOLER (Spain)
Specialized Journalist in Outdoor Activities
Since 2015, I have been a specialized journalist in outdoor activities (such as climbing, mountaineering, skyrunning, hiking, and canyoning, among others) for media outlets in the communication and corporate sectors (Climbat, Newex, Kissthemountain, Sportvicius, Wogu, Federació d'Entitats Excursionistes de Catalunya, …).
Additionally, I have served as the press/communication officer for the Spanish Federation of Mountain and Climbing Sports (Barcelona).
I consider myself a cheerful, determined, practical, organized, and skilled communicator.
During my leisure time, I enjoy rock climbing, reading, and writing.
Instagram: @pat_soler
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/pat-soler-a07876113
Facebook: facebook.com/solerpat
ERTUGRUL KULAKSIZOGLU (TURKEY)
Professional Adventure Cinematographer and Photographer
Ertuğrul Kulaksızoğlu is a professional commercial, nature, adventure cinematographer and photographer.
He was born 1985 in Ankara. He graduated from TED Ankara College in 2003. In high school, he enjoyed being in nature with his school's scouting group. During his high school years, he discovered caving with Hacettepe University Cave Research Club. Between 2004-2010, he completed his university education at Ankara University, Radio, Cinema and Television department. He was one of the founders of the Ankara University Cave Research Society. The idea of combining image taking abilities with adventures flourished during university years. In addition to commercial photography and video shooting, he continues to take photos and videos of landscapes and adventures.
Instagram: @ekulak
Facebook: facebook.com/ErtugrulKulaksizogluPhoto
FRANCESCO MICHELACCI (ITALY)
Canyoning Instructor and Professional Photographer
More than 20 years in canyoning. I have descended more than 600 gorges, some more than 20 times, others just once.
I placed 100 anchors and drowned three cameras, but it was worth it.
I have a background as a sports paratrooper, paraglider and in the piloting of light airplanes.
I started photographing sports in 1982 and going to the mountains in 1986. First with ski mountaineering and via ferrata, then climbing and finally since 1998 with the great passion of my life, canyoning.
Today, in addition to taking photographs, I live by managing my adventure park and doing other work at height on roofs, rock faces and trees.
Instagram: @francescomichelacci
Facebook: facebook.com/francesco.michelacci
ELKE OSSWALD (GERMANY)
International relations at the DCV (German Canyoning Association)
Canyoning since more than 30 years. An Austrian Rafting guide who was curious about the small rivers flowing into the Inn introduced me to canyoning long time ago. I fell immediately in love with this adventure.
Since then I have been canyoning mainly in Europe but also in countries like Nepal, Azores, USA; Ecuador, Bali, Dominica. My favorite destination is Ticino. My favorite canyon the Bodengo in Italy.
I am responsible for International relations in the German Canyoning Association DCV (Deutscher Canyoning Verein) and doing a calendar for them since 15 years. I used to work for the German Alpine magazine and love to look at pictures of the beautiful nature in our world.
Facebook: facebook.com/1264487639
PETER GEDEI (Slovenia)
Cave photographer
After joining the local caving club and acquiring experience as a explorer of the underground for several years, he started to dedicate himself more and more to the cave photography in the early nineties. Through the years, he perfected the lighting technique and his creative approach and was awarded many times for his work with the highest prizes at domestic and international contests. He has become one of the world's best known cave photographers, who would take on the most demanding projects. He regularly publishes photographs in domestic and foreign printed media, presents stories about caves he visited, and has been active on social networks in recent years.
Instagram: @petergedei
Facebook: facebook.com/petergedei
Linktr.ee: linktr.ee/petergedei
JOSE HUMBERTO M. DE PAULA (Brazil)
Cave Photographer & Professor at the University of Brasilia
José Humberto is Professor at the University of Brasilia and a renowned cave photographer deeply involved in subterranean exploration and art of cave photography in Brazil. He's coined "The Art of Cave Photography," showcased in his book "The Subterranean World of Terra Ronca”. Beyond photography, he teaches subterranean photography through courses and workshops. An active speleologist he was president of Brasília's Speleo Group, he completed the French Cave Rescue-SSF course in 2012 and 2013, highlighting his dedication to safety. His milestone achievement was coordinating the First Cave Rescue Course Taught by Brazilian Instructors in 2015, training fellow Brazilian speleologists in rescue practices. Awards from contests, book covers, and publications establish José Humberto as a respected figure in cave photography in Brazil, celebrated for his dedication to exploring and sharing the captivating cave world.
Instagram: @josehumberto_cavefoto
Facebook: facebook.com/josehumberto.depaula
CRISTIAN SÁEZ (Chile)
Co-founder & Head of Training, Chilean Canyoning Association (ACHCAN).
Initiated in mountain sports since I was 16 years old (2001).
Fan of canyoning sport since 2007, professional Canyoning Guide since 2011.
Since 2015 dedicated to the exploration and opening of new ravines in the Biobio Region, with a total of 15 canyon openings in the area, accompanied and motivated in by Eduardo Gomez.
My biggest hobby is scouting areas with digital tools to prepare future openings, as well as carving wood, creating articles related to nature and mountain sports. All this mixed with the most important leading in life, my 2 daughters and future clan explorers.
As for photography, I develop it as a hobby, and always in search of the best possible angle, but with an approach more focused on nature that surrounds the canyons rather than the canyoneers themselves.
Instagram: @explorar.biobio
Facebook: facebook.com/cristian.saezjara
PIETRO TORELLINI (Italy)
Former Official Photographer of AIC (Italian Canyoning Association)
Photographer since 1972. I have been practicing Canyoning for 25 years and, in search of high quality shots with my reflex camera, I went down in over 130 canyons.
For many years Official photographer of the Italian Canyoning Association (AIC), I collaborated with specialized magazines and contributed to several books on the subject.
I love any photographic genre, but photography in the canyons has given me the greatest satisfaction.
Instagram: @pietrotorellini
Facebook: facebook.com/pietro.torellini
PEPE BENAVIDES (Mexico)
Canyoneer, graphic designer, entrepreneur and consultant in nature tourism projects for 20 years, he has collaborated in the exploration, documentation and equipment of canyons in Mexico since 2006. He currently works as a creative director and commercial graphic designer for companies related to adventure sports and co-founder of the canyons.mx project.
Instagram: @pepe_barranc0
https://www.facebook.com/DonPepeBarranco
CRISTIANO FORTES (Brazil)
Canyoning Explorer and Canyoning Guide. He started in the middle of the verticals in 1995, since then in 2001 he began to explore the Serra Miguel Inácio, where today he has a commercial canyoning itinerary. Tourismologist, physical education professional and tour guide, participated in professional training at ICAN, ICA and CIC.
Instagram: @cristianofortes @canionismo
https://www.facebook.com/cristiano.fortes.5
JOSH HYDEMAN (United States)
Professional conservation and exploration photographer based in Oregon, US. He has been published by National Geographic, Outside Magazine, Outdoor Photographer, amongst others. He has worked with brands like Mountain Hardwear, Garmin, and Subaru. In 2015 he received the National Speleological Society's Best in Show in Cave Photography. Most recently Josh has been documenting the efforts of the subterranean team at Bat Conservation International.
Instagram: @josh_hydeman
https://www.facebook.com/josh.hydeman
PAOLO MALTINTI (Italy)
WASE Sub Instructor and PADI Underwater Digital Photography Instructor.
I am currently the only one who has made the entire Bodengo (Como Lake, Italy) route with scuba equipment, searching all the pools. I have participated in numerous underwater and non-underwater photography exhibitions.
Currently Vice President of Golden Players and General Manager of Golden Players Italia, associations of Over 50 basketball players.