VIEW THE FULL CONTEST RESULTS HERE

Grand Prize — Andy Schmid

AGE: 45

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A SHOOTER: 13 years

HOW LONG DIVING: 20 years

DAY JOB: IT Program/Project Manager

FAVORITE CAMERA: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

AWARDS: Quite a few, but not like this one!

How did you start in underwater photography?

I became a passionate diver first. At some point I wanted to show friends and family why I was so addicted, so I got a point-and shoot camera. From there it took me years of learning by doing, adding components to my setup and upgrading it. In 2017 I took a break from work and did a trip around the world for eight months with a lot of diving. This is when it really kicked off.

What inspires your photography?

The beauty and fragility of nature, how photography can inspire people to be better humans, how animals behave and what technology allows us to capture.

How would you describe your photography style? How did you develop this?

I don’t try to be too artistic or experimental. I rather want to let the beauty of things speak for themselves. I try to capture my subjects in the best possible light and frame them nicely without altering what I see too much.

What underwater photographer do you most admire and why?

Laurent Ballesta: He pushes everything, not just the boundaries of photography, also the diving side with incredibly complex expeditions with many aspects.

How do you choose which of your photos to enter in a photo contest?

It’s a mix of gut feeling, friends’ reactions to the images I show them and sometimes also feedback from social media.

What’s your advice for underwater shooters entering their first photo contest?

Don’t just rely on your own opinion. You might like a certain picture mainly because of how you got it, and this makes you think that it’s great. The viewer doesn’t see the story behind a photo. To them, it’s purely about the image. Always get other opinions.

Related Reading: Orca Moms ‘Baby’ Adult Sons and Forego Future Offspring to Care for Them

Amateur — David Curry

AGE: 44

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A SHOOTER: 15 years

HOW LONG DIVING: 30 years

DAY JOB: Project Director

FAVORITE CAMERA: Nikon D850

What’s your favorite place to shoot underwater?

I’ve been very lucky and had the opportunity to dive in some fantastic places. I’d say Bali is my favorite as there are so many amazing things to shoot hiding in the muck.

What’s your most unforgettable moment underwater?

Diving the Brother Islands (known locally as Al-Akhawain) in Egypt. I was following a reef wall with a group of friends. I looked out into the blue and caught site of a huge school of hammerheads just before they cruised out of range. My friends didn’t believe me as they were all focused on the wall, oblivious to what was in the blue.

What inspires your photography?

Making progress and improving my images.

How would you describe your photography style? How did you develop this?

I’d say I’m still developing a style.

What’s your #1 bucket-list dive destination?

My bucket-list destination would have to be Raja Ampat, Indonesia.

What underwater photographer do you most admire and why?

Alex Mustard: Aside from his superb portfolio I’ve learned a great deal from his books and articles.

How do you choose which of your photos to enter in a photo contest?

I look for sharp images with something that draws you in. For instance, the whip coral in my photo.

What’s your advice for underwater shooters entering their first photo contest?

After being convinced to submit an image for this competition by my good friend Jo, my advice would be to take a chance on the next competition. I didn’t expect to come close!

Amateur — Lauren Wang

AGE: 40

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A SHOOTER: 3 years

HOW LONG DIVING: 7 years

DAY JOB: Pharmacist

FAVORITE CAMERA: Nikon D850

What’s your favorite place to shoot underwater?

I like to shoot photos anywhere that offers good wide-angle opportunities.

What’s your most unforgettable moment underwater?

My most unforgettable moment underwater would have to be getting up-close and personal with manta rays in Palau.

How did you get started in underwater photography?

I love diving and I really wanted to share the beauty of the underwater world with my friends.

What inspires your photography?

I become inspired when I see lots of fish life and healthy coral reefs.

How would you describe your photography style? How did you develop this?

I like shooting wide-angle or big scenes. They are my favorite types of photos to look at.

What’s your #1 bucket-list dive destination?

I would love to dive in Cuba.

What underwater photographer do you most admire and why?

I most admire the work of Alex Mustard. His photos are amazing!

How do you choose which of your photos to enter in a photo contest?

When deciding which photos to enter into competitions, I choose what I like and what I think the judges would like.

What’s your advice for underwater shooters entering their first photo contest?

Don’t be afraid to enter. If you don’t enter, you can’t win. Just have fun with it!

Related Reading: Lessons for Life: Respect the Wreck

Wide-Angle — Jean-Siegfried Louis

AGE: 51

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A SHOOTER: 15 years

HOW LONG DIVING: 15 years

DAY JOB: Anesthesiologist

FAVORITE CAMERA: My new Sony A74

AWARDS: Paris International Dive Show, first place, 2021; European Celebration of Underwater Images and Environment, first place, 2022; Réunion Ocean Festival, second place, 2022; Underwater International Image Festival of Mayotte, third place, 2023; and more.

What inspires your photography?

When I’m underwater, I no longer think of anything, I’m in my bubble. I’m disconnected from everyday life, from reality. Through my photos I try to transcribe this feeling of fullness, calm and wellbeing. I also want to share the beauty of the underwater world, and make people aware that it is a fragile world that absolutely must be preserved.

What’s your favorite place to shoot underwater?

I am not a fan of great depths. I like to go looking in shallow depths at night, in rocky basins or lagoons. Or, like for my winning photo of a whale, calf and dolphins, being on the surface and playing with the sunlight. I often look for small species that go unnoticed but are nevertheless so beautiful and fascinating!

What’s your most unforgettable moment underwater?

I would say the encounter with humpback whales: the giants of the seas. On Réunion Island we are lucky enough to get into the water while respecting a charter in order to be the least intrusive for the whales, thanks to a specific passive-observation protocol.

How do you choose which of your photos to enter in a contest?

They must move me and tell a story. Of course, they must be sharp, well-framed and well-lit. But above all, they must give off an emotion. Sometimes I have trouble choosing so I ask my children or friends their opinions. But don’t tell them... It’s me who ends up choosing in the end!

What’s your advice for underwater shooters entering their first photo contest?

My advice is don’t be afraid of judgment. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. You may be lucky that the jury likes your photos!

Blackwater — Ken Keong Chong

AGE: 44

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A SHOOTER: I learned landscape photography 20 years ago, then underwater photography a few years after I was certified.

HOW LONG DIVING: 15 years

DAY JOB: Process Technician

FAVORITE CAMERA: Canon R6

AWARDS: Lens Beyond Ocean (Malaysia)

How did you get started in underwater photography?

I met a diver many years ago who showed me his photo of a beautiful nudibranch. I was impressed and immediately hooked, so I bought a compact camera and started to learn.

What’s your favorite place to shoot underwater?

Anilao, Philippines, and Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia.

What’s your most unforgettable moment underwater?

A mola mola less than 2 meters away from me. It stayed still for few minutes before swimming away.

What inspires your photography?

I want to show people how beautiful our underwater world is and hopefully raise awareness to help protect and save our ocean.

How would you describe your photography style? How did you develop this?

I prefer to photograph subjects against a black background because it gives more contrast, grabs attention and highlights details.

What’s your #1 bucket-list dive destination?

Raja Ampat.

What underwater photographer do you most admire and why?

I learned a lot from Scott Gietler in uwphotographyguide.com when I was just a beginner. He shared a lot of information and good tips that really inspired me.

How do you choose which of your photos to enter in a photo contest?

I like to share unique images and photos that highlight marine animal behavior or rare subjects.

What’s your advice for underwater shooters entering their first photo contest?

Look at photos of previous winners. Keep shooting and keep trying!

Related Reading: How Intelligent Are Octopuses? Your Octopus Questions, Answered.

Conceptual — Purwanto Nugroho

AGE: 49

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A SHOOTER: 12 years

HOW LONG DIVING: 12 years

DAY JOB: Self-employed, photographer

FAVORITE CAMERA: Nikon and Fujifilm

AWARDS: Donggala Underwater Photo Competition, 2022; Solo Photo Awards Intersalon, 2023; Malang Photo Club Photo Awards, 2023

How did you get started in underwater photography?

Since 1999 I have loved various types of photography, including landscape, wildlife and astrophotography. Living in Indonesia, which has many stunning diving locations, makes me want to venture out and capture the beauty of the underwater world.

In 2010 I earned my PADI Open Water Diver certification and then continued with my PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification in 2011. Over time, I honed my underwater photographic gear to the configuration I currently use. Since 2012 underwater photography has been my main focus.

What’s your most unforgettable moment underwater?

The first time I photographed a manta ray from a very close distance. I never expected to get up close and personal with this magnificent creature, and I was so mesmerized by its beautiful movements that I almost forgot to take a picture.

What inspires your photography?

My passion is capturing the natural beauty and uniqueness of Indonesia’s underwater ecosystems to share it with the world, while at the same time voicing the spirit to preserve it.

What’s your #1 bucket-list dive destination?

Wakatobi, Indonesia.

How do you choose which of your photos to enter in a photo contest?

I chose the photo that I thought would look different or unique from the others and that has visual impact.

What’s your advice for underwater shooters entering their first photo contest?

I recommend reviewing the previous winning shots from various underwater photo competitions. Get inspired, and try to create a new shot with your own style.

Behavior — Yury Ivanov

AGE: 51

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A SHOOTER: 20 years

HOW LONG DIVING: 30 years

DAY JOB: Driver

FAVORITE CAMERA: Nikon D850

AWARDS: Several, including past Scuba Diving Through Your Lens contests.

How did you get started in underwater photography?

I went to Egypt in 1998, saw the beauty of the underwater world and immediately decided that I wanted to photograph amazing sea animals.

What’s your favorite place to shoot underwater?

My favorite location for underwater photography is Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia.

What’s your most unforgettable moment underwater?

The most memorable moments for me are those that show animal behaviors.

What inspires your photography?

What inspires me is being able to see, photograph and show people something that is absolutely unique.

How would you describe your photography style? How did you develop this?

Underwater macro photography is my style. I spent 12,000 hours underwater with a camera, observing the behavior of sea animals.

What underwater photographer do you most admire and why?

I admire Steven Kovacs. His blackwater photos are just super fantastic!

How do you choose which of your photos to enter in a photo contest?

I try to choose a dynamic photo that will show a unique behavioral moment.

What’s your advice for underwater shooters entering their first photo contest?

I would advise them to have a look at the results of previous competitions, try to understand the preferences of the judges and find an interesting subject underwater. Take as many photos as possible and then choose a trophy picture.