The Underwater Photography Guide is now accepting images for its 2016 Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition. Over $75000 worth of prizes are on offer to professional and amateur photographers across the world.
This year there are sixteen categories to enter, including a Novice DSLR category, 3 compact camera categories and 3 mirrorless camera categories, giving underwater photographers of all levels a chance to win a prize. Other categories include Supermacro, Cold/Temperate Water and Nudibranchs. New for 2016 is the Reefscapes category, offering the grand prize of a $1000 underwater photo gear shopping spree.
Winners can choose their own reward from the liveaboard trips, resort diving and gear prizes available. Grand prizes include Indonesia liveaboard itinerary on the S.M.Y. Ondina, a 10 night Cocos Island liveaboard trip with the Undersea Hunter Group, a 7 night liveaboard trip on the Palau Siren, a 7 night Solomon Islands liveaboard trip with Bilikiki Cruises, a 10 night dive package at Lissenung Island Resort in Papua New Guinea and a 5 night dive package for two at Siladen Resort & Spa in Indonesia. Equipment prizes are provided by I-Torch, SEA&SEA, the Reef Check Foundation, Ikelite, ReefNet SubSee, BARE Sports and Ultralight Control Systems.
The winning photographers will be asked to rank prizes after the judging is completed and will receive the highest ranked prize available on their list. Best of Show will be awarded their first prize choice. 1st place winners will be able to choose before all other winners, 2nd place winners before 3rd place winners, etc.
Judges include world-renowned underwater photographers Tony Wu, Martin Edge, Marty Snyderman and Scott Gietler. Martin Edge is the author of The Underwater Photographer, a top-selling book on underwater photography. Marty Snyderman is an Emmy winner with work appearing in top publications like National Geographic. Tony Wu is a renowned underwater photographer and author of Silent Symphony. Scott Gietler is the owner of Bluewater Photo, Bluewater Travel and the Underwater Photography Guide.
Submit your photos by 22 November 2016. For full competition rules see the underwaterphotographyguide.com. Good Luck!
