Underwater Photography Competitions

Overview

Underwater photography competitions have been a defining force in shaping the community, driving technique innovation, and establishing reputations since the earliest days of the hobby. Wetpixel covered dozens of competitions from 2001 to 2023, from global prestige events like Wildlife Photographer of the Year to grassroots community contests and on-location shootouts. The competitive landscape expanded dramatically during the digital era, with new events launching regularly through the 2000s and 2010s. By the 2020s, the competition ecosystem included prestige international awards, regional on-location shootouts, online-only contests, and hybrid formats adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Competition culture also generated robust community debate around judging standards, digital processing limits, image manipulation ethics, and prize fulfillment — topics that filled some of the longest forum threads in Wetpixel’s history.

Prestige International Competitions

Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPY)

The Natural History Museum’s WPY competition, established in 1964 (initially attracting 500 entries), is the most prestigious wildlife photography award. Its underwater category regularly features on Wetpixel. In 2004, WPY accepted digital entries for the first time, requiring submission of both the RAW file and the processed TIFF or JPEG ([1]). The initial rules were restrictive — stating “no digital manipulation allowed” — which prompted community debate about whether standard digital workflow steps like unsharp mask or RAW converter adjustments constituted “manipulation” ([2]).

Doug Perrine won the 2004 WPY with “Bronze whalers charging a baitball,” shot with a Canon EOS D60 in a UK-Germany housing — the first digital winner in the competition’s 40-year history. Perrine noted that the rules for digital entries “went through a series of refinements” during that inaugural year ([3]). Other underwater digital winners that year included Charles Hood (great hammerhead, Nikon D100) and Douglas David Seifert (white shark, Canon D60).

Alex Mustard won the Animal Portraits category in 2005 with a hamlet photo, his first major WPY placement ([4]). In 2006, underwater images dominated WPY, winning the overall prize (Goran Ehlme’s walrus feeding photo) and placing first in 4 of 12 categories. Three Wetpixel members — Gavin Parsons, Jordi Chias, and Alex Mustard — were highly commended ([5]). The competition attracted around 20,000 entries annually from approximately 60 countries.

Wetpixel covered WPY results annually through at least 2022, with marine-related winners highlighted in dedicated articles. In 2021, Laurent Ballesta won both the Underwater category and the overall Wildlife Photographer of the Year title with “Creation,” a five-year project documenting camouflage grouper spawning in Fakarava. Alex Mustard won the Natural Artistry category the same year ([6]).

WPY integrity controversies

In 2010, WPY winner Jose Luis Rodriguez was disqualified after the judging panel determined his winning image used a trained wolf. The incident sparked a Wetpixel forum discussion about how such disqualifications related to underwater photography competitions ([7]). In 2011, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency Nature Photographer of the Year Terje Helleso was discovered to have composited stock animal photos into nature scenes — though the Swedish EPA controversially let him keep his prize ([8]).

Underwater Photographer of the Year (UPY)

The world’s oldest dedicated underwater photography competition, UPY has been running since 1965. Peter Rowlands served as chair. Wetpixel covered UPY results extensively, with dedicated Wetpixel Live episodes reviewing winning images — including UPY 2021 British Winners and UPY 2023 ([9], [10]). Renee Capozzola won UPY 2021 Overall with “Shark Skylight.”

Ocean Photographer of the Year

Organized by Oceanographic Magazine with judges including David Doubilet, Paul Nicklen, and Cristina Mittermeier, this competition expanded rapidly in the early 2020s. In 2022, Ben Thouard won with an image of a surfer battling waves at Teahupo’o, French Polynesia. Second place went to Katherine Lu for a blanket octopus image shot on a blackwater night dive, and third to Brook Peterson for a cormorant diving through baitfish ([11]). Winners were exhibited at Tower Bridge, London.

Nature’s Best / Ocean Views

Nature’s Best Photography Magazine ran an Ocean Views Photography Contest that attracted over 10,000 entries. In 2010, winners included Bryce Flynn (humpback whale), Yeang Ch’ng (great barracuda), and several Wetpixel community members including Jason Bradley and Keri Wilk ([12]).

Wetpixel and DivePhotoGuide Competition Series

Origins: UnderwaterCompetition.com

In October 2005, Eric Cheng of Wetpixel and Jason Heller of DivePhotoGuide teamed up to create “the first instance of a new, annual, international underwater photography competition” — digital-only, with over $25,000 in prizes. Winners were announced on stage at the 2006 Our World Underwater festival in Chicago. Fifteen percent of entry proceeds were donated to marine conservation ([13]).

By the 3rd annual edition in 2007, the competition had grown to over $50,000 in prizes across seven still-image and two video categories, with judges including Eric Cheng, Berkley White, Tony Wu, Ric Frazier, Chuck Nicklin, and Mary Lynn Price. The competition was described as the “Superbowl” of international underwater imagery competitions ([14]).

In 2008, Wetpixel and DivePhotoGuide relaunched UnderwaterCompetition.com with an automated online submission and payment system. The site became the permanent home for the competition series, which the organizers described as having become “some of the most prestigious and widely supported international underwater photography & video competitions in the world” in just four years ([15]).

Our World Underwater (OWU) Competition

The flagship U.S.-based competition in the series ran annually from 2006, held in association with the Our World Underwater dive show in Chicago. Winners were announced live on stage. The competition featured categories for wide-angle, macro, compact cameras, conservation, and video. By 2016, it regularly attracted thousands of entries and awarded $55,000 in prizes ([16]).

DEEP Indonesia Competition

Launched in 2006 as a companion to the OWU competition, DEEP Indonesia was held in association with Indonesia’s first diving and adventure-travel expo. The two competitions formed a unique complementary series — “never before have 2 international competitions associated with dive expos on opposite sides of the world cooperated to establish a complementary series of categories and prizing opportunities.” Initial judges included Eric Cheng, Tony Wu, and Berkley White ([17]). DEEP Indonesia continued annually through at least 2020 ([18]).

DEEP 2018 controversy

The DEEP Indonesia 2018 results generated controversy when concerns arose that some winning images showed physical manipulation of subjects — in violation of rules stating that “images in which the subject has been moved into a position or environment in which they are not normally found are not allowed.” Best of Show winner Yung-Sen Wu’s image of a blue-ring octopus with eggs was scrutinized; the organizers investigated by requesting RAW files, the shot sequence, and consulting scientists and experienced Lembeh divers. They concluded there was “no definitive evidence” of manipulation, and the award stood. A second contested image, of a nudibranch on a seahorse, was also supported by expert testimony that such encounters occur naturally ([19]).

DPG/Wetpixel Masters

In 2020, the OWU competition was rebranded as the “DPG/Wetpixel Masters Underwater Imaging Competition,” emphasizing its prestige — “for those that have placed in it, this is a pinnacle achievement and marks an entry into the membership of a very exclusive group of underwater image-makers.” The 2020 judging panel included David Doubilet, Stephen Frink, Erin Quigley, Scott “Gutsy” Tuason, Keri Wilk, and Tony Wu, with a prize fund exceeding $55,000 ([20]).

The Masters continued through 2022, when Martin Broen won Best in Show for a black-and-white image from Mexico’s Yucatan cenotes. The 2022 judging panel included Renee Capozzola, Erin Quigley, Marty Snyderman, Kurt Amsler, Tom St George, and William Tan ([21]).

On-Location Shootouts

Digital Shootout

The Digital Shootout, created by Berkley White of Backscatter, was both a competition and educational workshop event. It began with a Kona Aggressor II charter in November 2001, where divers competed in nightly digital slide shows with winning images posted live via Iridium satellite phone. Jim Watt served as professional photographer and Eric Cheng produced daily web updates ([22]). The event moved to Fiji in 2004, with Cheng providing daily webcasts ([23]), then became an annual Bonaire fixture from 2005 onward ([24]). It also ran in Palau in 2006 ([25]).

The Bonaire editions typically awarded over $15,000 in prizes, and Wetpixel provided extensive daily coverage through 2008 ([26]). The Digital Shootout continued through at least 2019 ([27]).

Monterey Shootout

The Monterey Shootout, one of the oldest on-location competitions, held its 10th annual edition in 2004, drawing over 150 underwater photographers for a weekend of seminars, shooting, and socializing. Divers had 24 hours to shoot their best and compete for over $15,000 in prizes. The event featured a Friday night underwater film festival with presenters including Norbert Wu, Jim Watt, and Berkley White, plus an Adobe Photoshop seminar. Categories included Advanced and Novice (both film and digital) and Video — and in 2004, the competition “embraced the digital workflow” by allowing two levels of Photoshop adjustments ([28]). Wetpixel covered results through at least 2019 ([29]).

World Shootout

An international online competition covered by Wetpixel from 2014 onward, with regular call-for-entries articles. Mike Bartick won the 2018 edition. A Junior category was added to encourage young photographers. The World Shootout also hosted live broadcast events and an awards ceremony ([30], [31]).

Lembeh-Gulen Critter Shootout

The Lembeh-Gulen Shootout, announced in 2015 and first held in May 2016, was a novel format: simultaneous cold-water (Gulen, Norway) versus warm-water (Lembeh, Indonesia) macro photography competition. Alex Mustard led the Gulen team while Tobias Friedrich served as Lembeh captain. Thirty-two contestants competed across three themed days — Fish, Invertebrate Life, and Nudibranch — with winners decided by public Facebook voting. The organizers described it as “the first ever International shootout” spanning “two different countries, two different continents, two different hemispheres” ([32], [33]).

Anilao Shootout

The Anilao Underwater Shootout, based in the Philippines’ premier macro diving destination, became a regular fixture from 2017 onward. The event featured live reports and attracted international participants. Wetpixel covered results through 2021, when the event evolved into a “Lembeh vs Anilao Shootout” format ([34], [35]).

SoCal Shootout

Organized by Scott Gietler of Bluewater Photo, the SoCal Shootout began in 2011 as an annual three-day photography competition in Southern California waters. Major editing was not allowed — the competition “truly tests a photographer’s ability to capture stunning imagery in-camera.” The 2013 edition drew over 70 photographers and awarded over $15,000 in prizes, with 18-year-old Nirupam Nigam winning Best of Shootout with a sarcastic fringehead image ([36]).

Other regional shootouts

Wetpixel also covered:

Other Major Competitions

Ocean Art

Organized by Underwater Photography Guide and Scott Gietler, the Ocean Art competition launched in 2010 and grew into one of the largest underwater photography competitions. Wetpixel ran annual call-for-entries and results articles from 2011 through 2022. Keri Wilk won Ocean Art 2010 Best of Show ([42]). The competition included Wetpixel Live episode coverage of results, such as Ocean Art 2020 ([43]).

Antibes Festival

The Antibes Festival (World Festival of Underwater Images), running from 1974 to 2017, was the premier European underwater film and photography competition. Tony Wu won the Grand Prize. DivePhotoGuide was awarded Best Website at Antibes in 2006 ([44]).

Beneath the Sea

The Beneath the Sea competition, associated with the largest US consumer dive show, featured the David Doubilet Award for Excellence in Underwater Photography as its Best in Show prize. In 2004, Wetpixel members swept the competition ([45]). The show was founded by Armand “Zig” Zigahn. Wetpixel covered winners annually from 2004, with the 2007 winners thread accumulating 33 replies on the forum ([46]).

Underwater Tour Awards

An Australian-based competition that adapted to COVID-19 by going fully virtual in 2020, with online judging, “People’s Choice” voting, and a live-stream awards ceremony. Categories included five themed sections plus a “Guru Award” for best portfolio. Judges included Darren Jew, Jurgen Freund, Aaron Wong, William Tan, and Jasmine Carey ([47]).

Golden Dolphin (Moscow)

The Moscow Golden Dolphin International Photo and Film Festival featured underwater photography among its categories. In 2007, Wetpixel members Marco Wannenmacher, Dean Burman, and Gyula Somogyi were among the winners ([48]).

Ocean Photography Awards

Launched by Oceanographic Magazine, this competition grew rapidly with judges including David Doubilet, Paul Nicklen, and Cristina Mittermeier. Winners were exhibited at London landmarks. Wetpixel covered call-for-entries and results from 2020 through 2022 ([49], [50]).

Mangrove Photography Awards

A newer competition focused on mangrove ecosystems, with Wetpixel covering entries in 2020 and 2021 ([51]).

Regional and Club Competitions

LAUPS International

The Los Angeles Underwater Photo Society ran one of the longest-standing club competitions, holding its 43rd annual edition in 2005. That year, for the first time, the competition accepted digital files in addition to prints, slides, and video. The 2004 edition drew entries from 17 countries and 23 states ([52]).

NCUPS

The Northern California Underwater Photographic Society hosted the annual California Beach Dive Photo Competition (running since at least 1980, with the 25th edition in 2005) where all diving was done from shore — “no boats, which is a great equalizer.” Photographers had one day to shoot in Monterey waters, with awards the following day ([53]). NCUPS also held the annual Sea competition ([54]).

RSMAS (University of Miami)

The University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science ran an underwater photo contest with categories for Wide Angle, Macro, and Florida Diving, offering liveaboard trip prizes ([55]).

Other regional competitions

Wetpixel also covered: DEEP Visions, British Underwater Image Festival (BUIF), Celebrate the Sea (Kuala Lumpur, with a Wetpixel Digital Portfolio category in 2004) ([56]), Bodrum World Championship, BSOUPS International Focus, Medes Festival (Spain), Asian Diver Shootout Indonesia, Sharks in Focus, and various national competitions.

Wetpixel’s Own Competitions

Wetpixel ran its own contest program from early in the site’s history. The first bi-monthly photo contest, themed “sharks,” was won by Mike Oelrich in February 2003, administered by community member Cybergolfish in the forums ([57]). In 2004, the contest moved from the forums into a dedicated gallery module with sponsor-donated prizes ([58]).

By 2005, the format evolved into a Picture of the Week (POTW) contest with plans to shift to a daily format ([59]). In 2009, the site hosted 44 POTW contests, with the annual Picture of the Year decided by public vote. The 2009 Picture of the Year winner received a one-week liveaboard trip on the M/V Solmar V ([60]).

Impact on the Community

Competition as education

Competitions drove technique innovation by rewarding creative approaches. The Digital Shootout was designed from the start as an educational event with competition as motivation — featuring professional instructors, nightly seminars, and critique sessions alongside the contest itself ([61]).

Mike Veitch’s 2011 article “The Ringer” (originally published in Scuba Diver Australasia) provided an inside perspective on what judges look for: personality (not just identification shots), color, action, behavior, and advanced planning. He noted Jim Church’s advice that when judges disagree, they would put finalist photos on the light table, turn their backs, and choose whichever stood out most on turning around — “the motto of this story is that it’s best to shoot bright, colorful photos that stand out from the crowd with a mere glance” ([62]).

Expert guidance

Multiple articles and Wetpixel Live episodes provided competition strategy:

Controversies and community debate

Competition integrity was a recurring topic on the Wetpixel forums:

Career building

Competition wins became career-defining credentials:

Digital transition

Competitions were a key battleground in the film-to-digital transition during the 2000s:

COVID-19 adaptation

The pandemic forced competitions to adapt. The Underwater Tour Awards pioneered a fully virtual format in 2020 with online submissions, People’s Choice voting, and a live-stream awards ceremony ([84]). Several other competitions followed suit with online-only editions.

Timeline

References

Sources

  1. Wetpixel article, Mar 2, 2004: Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2004 Goes Digital ↩
  2. Wetpixel article, Mar 2, 2004: Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2004 Goes Digital ↩
  3. Wetpixel article, Oct 25, 2004: Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Doug Perrine ↩
  4. Wetpixel article, Oct 20, 2005: Alex Mustard Wins At Bbc Wildlife Competition ↩
  5. Wetpixel article, Oct 25, 2006: Underwater Images Dominate In Wildlife Photographer Of The Year ↩
  6. Wetpixel article, Oct 12, 2021: Results Marine Related Winners Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2021 ↩
  7. Wetpixel article, Jan 20, 2010: Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Disqualified Of Title ↩
  8. Wetpixel article, Sep 5, 2011: Award Winning Photographer Admits To Faking Images ↩
  9. Wetpixel article, Jan 2, 2020: Final Call Upy 2020 ↩
  10. Wetpixel article, Feb 15, 2023: Result Upy 2023 ↩
  11. Wetpixel article, Oct 4, 2022: Results Ocean Photographer Of The Year 2022 ↩
  12. Wetpixel article, May 3, 2010: Natures Best Ocean Views 2010 Winners Announced ↩
  13. Wetpixel article, Oct 30, 2005: Wetpixelcom Divephotoguidecom International Photo Competition ↩
  14. Wetpixel article, Sep 17, 2007: 3nd Annual Wetpixel Divephotoguide Photo And Video Contest ↩
  15. Wetpixel article, Oct 7, 2008: Wetpixel And Divephotoguide Relaunch Underwatercompetitioncom ↩
  16. Wetpixel article, Feb 27, 2016: Results Of Our World Underwater 2016 Announced ↩
  17. Wetpixel article, Sep 18, 2006: 1st Annual Deep Indonesia Photo Contest ↩
  18. Wetpixel article, Mar 5, 2020: Call For Entries Deep Indonesia International Photo Contest ↩
  19. Wetpixel article, Mar 23, 2018: Deep 2018 Results Controversy ↩
  20. Wetpixel article, Jan 7, 2020: Announcing The Dpg Wetpixel Masters Underwater Imaging Competition 2020 ↩
  21. Wetpixel article, Jan 23, 2023: Results Dpg Wetpixel Masters 2022 ↩
  22. Wetpixel article, Nov 9, 2001: Kona Aggressor Ii Digital Shootout Webcast ↩
  23. Wetpixel article, May 27, 2004: Digital Shootout Fiji 2004 Updated ↩
  24. Wetpixel article, May 11, 2005: Digital Shootout 2005 Bonaire ↩
  25. Wetpixel article, Nov 17, 2005: The Digital Shootout Palau April 1 11 2006 ↩
  26. Wetpixel article, Jun 17, 2007: Digital Shootout Bonaire 2007 Daily Webcast ↩
  27. Wetpixel article, Dec 22, 2019: Deepvision Contest Open For Entries ↩
  28. Wetpixel article, Jul 17, 2004: Monterey Shootout 2004 ↩
  29. Wetpixel article, Sep 6, 2019: Results Monterey Shootout 2019 ↩
  30. Wetpixel article, Oct 21, 2019: Call For Entries World Shootout 2019 ↩
  31. Wetpixel article, Jan 26, 2022: Awards Ceremony 2021 World Shootout ↩
  32. Wetpixel article, Nov 7, 2015: Lembeh And Gulen Announce Inter Resort Shootout ↩
  33. Wetpixel article, May 24, 2016: First Lembeh Vs Gulen Critter Shootout Is Underway ↩
  34. Wetpixel article, Jan 25, 2020: Major Announcement Lembeh Vs Anilao Shootout In December 2020 ↩
  35. Wetpixel article, Dec 14, 2021: Results Anilao Underwater Shootout 2021 ↩
  36. Wetpixel article, Sep 25, 2013: Results Socal Shootout ↩
  37. Wetpixel article, Apr 9, 2007: Layang Layang Underwater Photo Challenge 2007 ↩
  38. Wetpixel article, Aug 26, 2017: Results Of 2017 Duc Shootout Announced ↩
  39. Wetpixel article, Jul 5, 2015: Call For Entries North Carolina Wreck And Shark Shootout ↩
  40. Wetpixel article, Nov 22, 2008: Fijis First Annual Ultimate Shark Photo Video Shootout ↩
  41. Wetpixel article, Jan 7, 2011: Registrations Open For Underwater Festival Shootout 2011 ↩
  42. Wetpixel article, Dec 13, 2011: Winners Of Ocean Art 2011 Announced ↩
  43. Wetpixel article, Jan 14, 2021: Ocean Art 2020 Results ↩
  44. Wetpixel article, Nov 2, 2006: Antibes International Underwater Photo Festival 2006 Report ↩
  45. Wetpixel article, Feb 5, 2004: Wetpixel Members Sweep Beneath The Sea Competition ↩
  46. Wetpixel article, Mar 6, 2007: Beneath The Sea 2007 Contest Winners Announced ↩
  47. Wetpixel article, May 8, 2020: Underwater Tour Awards Go Virtual ↩
  48. Wetpixel article, Mar 1, 2007: 2007 Moscow Golden Dolphin Winners Announced ↩
  49. Wetpixel article, Jul 23, 2021: Final Call Ocean Photography Awards 2021 ↩
  50. Wetpixel article, Oct 4, 2022: Results Ocean Photographer Of The Year 2022 ↩
  51. Wetpixel article, Jun 18, 2021: Call For Entries 2021 Mangrove Photography Awards ↩
  52. Wetpixel article, Jun 7, 2005: Laups 2005 43rd Annual International Competition ↩
  53. Wetpixel article, Apr 12, 2005: 25th California Beach Dive Photo Competition ↩
  54. Wetpixel article, Sep 13, 2003: Ncups Sea2003 Contest ↩
  55. Wetpixel article, Feb 24, 2005: Rsmas Underwater Photo Contest ↩
  56. Wetpixel article, Jun 16, 2004: Celebrate The Seawetpixel Contest ↩
  57. Wetpixel article, Feb 17, 2003: Bi Monthly Photo Contest ↩
  58. Wetpixel article, Feb 24, 2004: Wetpixel Launches Photo Contest ↩
  59. Wetpixel article, Mar 1, 2005: Wetpixel Potw Contest ↩
  60. Wetpixel article, Jan 12, 2010: Voting Open Wetpixel Picture Of The Year 2009 ↩
  61. Wetpixel article, Nov 9, 2001: Kona Aggressor Ii Digital Shootout Webcast ↩
  62. Wetpixel article, May 30, 2011: The Ringer ↩
  63. Wetpixel article, Mar 4, 2010: How To Win Underwater Photo Competitions ↩
  64. Wetpixel article, Dec 17, 2011: How To Win Competitions The Tony Wu Way ↩
  65. Wetpixel article, May 6, 2009: Jason Bradley Presents Seminar On Winning Photo And Video Contests ↩
  66. Wetpixel article, Oct 26, 2020: Wetpixel Live How To Win Photography Contests ↩
  67. Wetpixel article, Dec 20, 2022: Wetpixel Live Top Tips For Competition Success ↩
  68. Forum thread: Competition Reform Proposal ↩
  69. Forum thread: Photo Contests And Sharpening ↩
  70. Forum thread: Non Receipt Of Prizes From Photo Contest ↩
  71. Forum thread: Reef Keeper Supply Using Pictures From Miami Rosenstiehl Underwater Photo Competition ↩
  72. Wetpixel article, Mar 23, 2018: Deep 2018 Results Controversy ↩
  73. Wetpixel article, Sep 5, 2011: Award Winning Photographer Admits To Faking Images ↩
  74. Wetpixel article, Oct 25, 2004: Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Doug Perrine ↩
  75. Wetpixel article, Oct 20, 2005: Alex Mustard Wins At Bbc Wildlife Competition ↩
  76. Wetpixel article, Oct 12, 2021: Results Marine Related Winners Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2021 ↩
  77. Wetpixel article, Oct 12, 2021: Results Marine Related Winners Of Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2021 ↩
  78. Wetpixel article, Jan 7, 2020: Announcing The Dpg Wetpixel Masters Underwater Imaging Competition 2020 ↩
  79. Wetpixel article, Mar 2, 2004: Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2004 Goes Digital ↩
  80. Wetpixel article, Oct 30, 2005: Wetpixelcom Divephotoguidecom International Photo Competition ↩
  81. Wetpixel article, Jun 7, 2005: Laups 2005 43rd Annual International Competition ↩
  82. Wetpixel article, Jul 17, 2004: Monterey Shootout 2004 ↩
  83. Forum thread: Ncups Beach Dive Photo Competition Goes Digital ↩
  84. Wetpixel article, May 8, 2020: Underwater Tour Awards Go Virtual ↩
  85. Wetpixel article, Nov 9, 2001: Kona Aggressor Ii Digital Shootout Webcast ↩
  86. Wetpixel article, Feb 17, 2003: Bi Monthly Photo Contest ↩
  87. Kona Aggressor II Digital Shootout Webcast (article) ↩
  88. Bi-Monthly Photo Contest (article) ↩
  89. Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2004 goes digital (article) ↩
  90. Wetpixel members sweep Beneath the Sea Competition (article) ↩
  91. Wetpixel Launches Photo Contest (article) ↩
  92. Wildlife Photographer of the Year - Doug Perrine (article) ↩
  93. Monterey Shootout 2004 (article) ↩
  94. Digital Shootout Fiji 2004 - Updated (article) ↩
  95. 25th California Beach Dive Photo Competition (article) ↩
  96. Wetpixel POTW Contest (article) ↩
  97. Alex Mustard wins at BBC Wildlife Competition (article) ↩
  98. Digital Shootout, July 2005 - Bonaire (article) ↩
  99. Wetpixel.com/DivePhotoGuide.com International Photo Competition (article) ↩
  100. LAUPS: 2005 43rd Annual International Competition (article) ↩
  101. RSMAS Underwater Photo Contest (article) ↩
  102. Celebrate the Sea/Wetpixel Contest (article) ↩
  103. 1st Annual DEEP Indonesia Photo Contest (article) ↩
  104. Underwater images dominate in Wildlife Photographer of the Year (article) ↩
  105. Nature’s Best/Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year (article) ↩
  106. 3rd Annual Wetpixel/DivePhotoGuide Photo and Video Contest (article) ↩
  107. 2007 Moscow Golden Dolphin winners announced (article) ↩
  108. Wetpixel and DivePhotoGuide relaunch UnderwaterCompetition.com (article) ↩
  109. Jason Bradley presents seminar on winning photo and video contests (article) ↩
  110. 2009 Wildlife Photographer of the Year disqualified of title (article) ↩
  111. Voting open: Wetpixel Picture of the Year 2009 (article) ↩
  112. How to win underwater photo competitions (article) ↩
  113. Nature’s Best Ocean Views 2010 winners announced (article) ↩
  114. The Ringer (article) ↩
  115. Award-winning photographer admits to faking images (article) ↩
  116. How to win competitions (the Tony Wu way) (article) ↩
  117. Results: SoCal Shootout (article) ↩
  118. Lembeh and Gulen announce inter resort shootout (article) ↩
  119. Underwater photo takes top prize in Royal Society Publishing photo competition (article) ↩
  120. Results of Our World Underwater 2016 announced (article) ↩
  121. DEEP 2018: Results controversy (article) ↩
  122. Announcing the DPG/Wetpixel Masters Underwater Imaging Competition 2020 (article) ↩
  123. Underwater Tour Awards go virtual (article) ↩
  124. Wetpixel Live: How to win Photography Contests (article) ↩
  125. Results: Marine-Related Winners of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2021 (article) ↩
  126. Result: UPY 2023 (article) ↩
  127. Results: DPG/Wetpixel Masters 2022 (article) ↩
  128. Results: Ocean Photographer of the Year 2022 (article) ↩
  129. Wetpixel Live: Top Tips for Competition Success (article) ↩
  130. Competition Reform Proposal (forum) ↩
  131. Photo contests and sharpening (forum) ↩
  132. Non-receipt of prizes from photo contest (forum) ↩
  133. Reef Keeper Supply using pictures from Miami Rosenstiel Underwater Photo Competition (forum) ↩