Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition
Type: Photography competition
Frequency: Annual (since 2010)
Location: International (US-based organization)
Organizer: Scott Gietler, Underwater Photography Guide / Bluewater Photo
First edition: 2010
Editions covered: 2010–2022 (13 editions)
Countries represented: 96+ (by 2022)
Overview
Ocean Art is an annual international underwater photography competition organized by the Underwater Photography Guide, a publication run by Scott Gietler of Bluewater Photo in Culver City (later Los Angeles), California. First announced in August 2010, it has grown into what the organizers describe as “the world’s largest underwater photo contest,” attracting entries from over 96 countries by 2022. ([1], [2])
The competition is distinctive for its prize structure: rather than cash awards, winners receive dive travel packages at resorts and liveaboards worldwide, with category winners able to rank their preferred prizes. This model has attracted sponsorship from dozens of dive resorts, liveaboard operators, and gear manufacturers across the Indo-Pacific, Caribbean, and beyond. ([3])
Ocean Art has also been notable for its inclusive category structure, which from the beginning included dedicated compact camera categories alongside DSLR divisions, giving photographers at all equipment levels a chance to compete. Over the years, categories expanded to include mirrorless cameras (2015), blackwater photography (2019), underwater conservation (2019), black and white (2021), and mobile phone photography (2022). ([4], [5], [6])
Organization and Judging
The competition has been organized throughout its history by the Underwater Photography Guide, with Scott Gietler as publisher and primary organizer. The judging panel has remained remarkably consistent:
- Martin Edge — Author of The Underwater Photographer; judge from 2010 through at least 2019 ([7], [8])
- Marty Snyderman — Emmy-winning filmmaker and National Geographic contributor; judge from 2010 through at least 2022 ([9], [10])
- Tony Wu — Photographer and author of Silent Symphony; judge from 2011 through at least 2022 ([11], [12])
- Bonnie Pelnar — Published photographer and workshop leader; judge 2010–2011 ([13], [14])
- Chris Newbert — Judge for the inaugural 2010 edition ([15])
- Scott Gietler — Publisher and organizer; joined the judging panel from 2014 onward ([16])
- Mark Strickland — Published author and Bluewater Photo specialist; replaced Martin Edge on the panel from 2020 ([17], [18])
By 2022, Nirupam Nigam had become Editor-in-Chief of the Underwater Photography Guide and a partner in Bluewater Photo, commenting on the results alongside Gietler. ([19])
Categories
The competition began with 11 categories in 2010 and expanded over the years:
Original categories (2010): Wide-Angle, Macro, Marine Life Portrait, Behavior, Diver/Fashion, Nudibranchs, Supermacro, Novice DSLR, Compact Wide-Angle, Compact Macro, Compact Behavior. ([20])
Added 2011: Cold/Temperate Water (12 categories total). ([21])
Added 2015: Mirrorless Wide-Angle, Mirrorless Macro, Mirrorless Behavior, Pool/Conceptual (15 categories). ([22])
Added 2016: Reefscapes (16 categories). Reef Check Foundation partnered as non-profit sponsor, offering a $1,000 Bluewater Photo shopping spree for the Reefscapes winner. ([23])
Added 2018: Underwater Art, replacing Pool/Conceptual (16 categories). ([24])
Restructured 2019: Mirrorless and “open” categories merged due to advances in mirrorless technology. Novice split into Novice Wide-Angle and Novice Macro. Two new specialty categories added: Blackwater and Underwater Conservation (16 categories). ([25])
Reduced 2020: Streamlined to 12 categories during the COVID-19 pandemic. ([26])
Added 2021: Black & White category.
Added 2022: Mobile Phone category (14 categories). The organizers stated this was intended to “lower the barrier to entry” and showcase that “anyone, anywhere” could take underwater photos. ([27])
Prize Structure
The competition’s prize pool grew substantially over its first decade:
| Year | Prize Value | Winners Awarded | Countries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | $62,000–$67,000 | ~44 | 50+ |
| 2011 | $75,000–$82,000 | 52 | 50+ |
| 2014 | $70,000+ | 60 | 50+ |
| 2015 | $75,000+ | — | — |
| 2016 | $75,000+ | 95 | 60+ |
| 2018 | $80,000+ | 75+ | 70 |
| 2019 | $80,000+ | 75+ | — |
| 2022 | $100,000+ | 50+ | 96 |
([28], [29], [30], [31], [32], [33], [34], [35])
Prizes consisted primarily of dive travel packages at resorts and aboard liveaboards across Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Maldives, Mexico, Bahamas, Australia, and the Caribbean. Gear prizes were provided by manufacturers including Sea & Sea, Ikelite, Light & Motion, Kraken, and Think Tank Photo. ([36], [37])
COVID-19 Impact
The 2020 edition ran during the global pandemic with a reduced 12-category format. Despite travel restrictions, the organizers noted that “underwater explorers took photos in their own backyards or select destinations open to travel and revisited their archives.” The competition also helped raise money for the WHO and CDC during the pandemic. ([38])
Best of Show Winners
| Year | Winner | Image Title | Subject / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Keri Wilk | — | — |
| 2011 | Tobias Friedrich | ”Manta Madness” | Multiple manta rays (wide-angle) |
| 2013 | Viktor Lyagushkin | — | Ice diving with off-camera strobe (cold water) |
| 2014 | Ray Collins | — | Breaking wave, Kirra Beach, Australia |
| 2015 | Jeff Milisen | — | Larval cusk eel, black water dive, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (supermacro) |
| 2016 | Matty Smith | ”Blue Lasso” | Portuguese Man of War, NSW, Australia |
| 2018 | Duncan Murrell | ”Courting Devil Ray Ballet” | Three Giant Devil Rays feeding in loops |
| 2019 | Greg Lecoeur | — | Crabeater seal diving near brash ice, Antarctica |
| 2020 | Gaetano Dario Gargiulo | ”The Day of the Tentacle” | Octopus CFWA selfie, Kamay Botany Bay, NSW, Australia |
| 2021 | Luc Rooman | ”Snoeken” | Two pikes locked in a duel |
| 2022 | Kat Zhou | ”Octopus Mother” | Caribbean octopus (Octopus briareus), Blue Heron Bridge, Florida |
([39], [40], [41], [42], [43], [44], [45], [46], [47], [48], [49])
Note: No 2012 or 2017 results articles appear in the Wetpixel archive. The 2012 edition likely took place (the 2013 call-for-entries describes it as an ongoing annual competition), but detailed results were not covered. The 2017 edition results are also absent; the 2018 call-for-entries describes that year as the “7th annual,” consistent with 2017 having been held.
Notable Repeat Winners
Several photographers achieved multiple high placements across editions:
- Steven Kovacs — One of the most prolific Ocean Art winners, placing in Behavior and Supermacro (2010), Blackwater (1st place 2019, 2020, 2021), Behavior, and Conservation categories across many years. ([50], [51], [52], [53])
- Tobias Friedrich — Best of Show 2011; also placed in Coldwater (2011), Wide-Angle (2019), and Reefscapes (2018). ([54], [55])
- Luc Rooman — Best of Show 2021; placed in Portrait (2010 HM), Supermacro (2011 HM), Nudibranchs (2014), and Coldwater (2021). ([56], [57])
- Greg Lecoeur — Best of Show 2019 (Coldwater); also placed in Behavior (2016), Coldwater (2018 1st), Portrait (2019 HM), and Reefscapes (2019). ([58], [59], [60])
- Jenny Stock — Won Underwater Art in 2019, 2020, and 2021, dominating that category for three consecutive years. ([61], [62], [63])
- PT Hirschfield — Won Compact Behavior in 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022, with multiple placements each year. ([64], [65], [66], [67])
- Enrico Somogyi — Multiple compact category wins and placements from 2019 through 2022. ([68], [69], [70], [71])
- Renee Capozzola — Novice DSLR placements in 2014; Wide-Angle 1st place in 2022. ([72], [73])
Wetpixel Coverage
Ocean Art received consistent editorial coverage on Wetpixel throughout its history, with Adam Hanlon and Abi Smigel Mullens writing the call-for-entries and results articles. The competition was also discussed on the Wetpixel forums and featured on Wetpixel Live, where Alex Mustard and Adam Hanlon critiqued the 2020 winning images on their YouTube show. ([74])
Martin Edge, one of the original judges, commented on the difficulty of judging in 2011: “This year the judging was very tight due to so many superb images. After much discussion, agreements, and disagreements, we felt the winners really stood out. For myself, the best in show was the most awesome shot in the entire collection.” ([75])
Timeline
- 2010-08: First edition announced by Underwater Photography Guide; $62,000 in prizes, 11 categories; judges include Martin Edge, Chris Newbert, Marty Snyderman, and Bonnie Pelnar; deadline November 14 ([76])
- 2010-12: First winners announced; Keri Wilk wins Best of Show; $67,000 in prizes awarded across 11 categories ([77])
- 2011-08: Second edition opens; $75,000+ in prizes, 12 categories (Coldwater added); Tony Wu joins judging panel ([78])
- 2011-12: 2011 winners announced; Tobias Friedrich wins Best of Show with “Manta Madness”; entrants from 50+ countries; $82,000 in prizes to 52 photographers ([79])
- 2013-08: 2013 edition opens with 12 categories; deadline November 10 ([80])
- 2013-11: Final call for 2013 entries; late entries accepted until November 17 at $12/photo ([81])
- 2013-12: 2013 winners announced; Viktor Lyagushkin wins Best of Show with ice diving image; entries from 50+ countries ([82])
- 2014-09: Fourth edition opens; $70,000+ in prizes, 12 categories; Scott Gietler joins judging panel alongside Tony Wu, Martin Edge, and Marty Snyderman ([83])
- 2015-01: 2014 winners announced; Ray Collins wins Best of Show with breaking wave image from Kirra Beach, Australia; $70,000 in prizes to 60 photographers from 50+ countries ([84])
- 2015-08: Fifth edition opens; expanded to 15 categories with three mirrorless categories and Pool/Conceptual; $75,000+ in prizes ([85])
- 2016-01: 2015 winners announced; Jeff Milisen wins Best of Show with supermacro image of larval cusk eel from blackwater dive in Hawaii ([86])
- 2017-01: 2016 winners announced; Matty Smith wins Best of Show with “Blue Lasso” (Portuguese Man of War); 16 categories including new Reefscapes; Reef Check Foundation sponsors Reefscapes category; $75,000+ to 95 winners from 60+ countries ([87])
- 2018-09: Seventh edition opens; 16 categories with Underwater Art replacing Pool/Conceptual; $75,000+ in prizes ([88])
- 2019-01: 2018 winners announced; Duncan Murrell wins Best of Show with “Courting Devil Ray Ballet”; entries from 70 countries; $80,000+ in prizes; described as “most competitive year to date” ([89])
- 2019-09: Eighth edition opens; major restructuring merges mirrorless and open categories; adds Blackwater and Underwater Conservation; splits Novice into Wide-Angle and Macro; $80,000+ in prizes ([90])
- 2020-01: 2019 winners announced; Greg Lecoeur wins Best of Show with crabeater seal image from Antarctica ([91])
- 2020-09: 2020 edition opens during COVID-19 pandemic; reduced to 12 categories ([92])
- 2021-01: 2020 winners announced; Gaetano Dario Gargiulo wins Best of Show with “The Day of the Tentacle” (octopus CFWA); entries from 80 countries; Mark Strickland replaces Martin Edge on judging panel; competition helped raise money for WHO and CDC ([93])
- 2021-01: Wetpixel Live episode discusses and critiques 2020 winning images ([94])
- 2022-01: 2021 winners announced; Luc Rooman wins Best of Show with “Snoeken” (two pikes); Black & White category debuts ([95])
- 2022-09: Eleventh edition opens; $100,000+ in prizes (largest ever); 14 categories with new Mobile Phone category ([96])
- 2023-01: 2022 winners announced; Kat Zhou wins Best of Show with “Octopus Mother”; entries from 96 countries; judges Tony Wu, Mark Strickland, and Marty Snyderman ([97])
References
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Aug 4, 2010: Call For Entries Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 17, 2023: Results Ocean Art 2022 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 9, 2011: Call For Entries 2011 Ocean Art Photo Competition ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 14, 2015: Call For Entries Ocean Art 2015 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 9, 2019: Ocean Art 2019 Is Open For Entries ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 26, 2022: Ocean Art 2022 Is Calling For Entries ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 4, 2010: Call For Entries Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 9, 2019: Ocean Art 2019 Is Open For Entries ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 4, 2010: Call For Entries Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 26, 2022: Ocean Art 2022 Is Calling For Entries ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 9, 2011: Call For Entries 2011 Ocean Art Photo Competition ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 26, 2022: Ocean Art 2022 Is Calling For Entries ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 4, 2010: Call For Entries Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 13, 2011: Winners Of Ocean Art 2011 Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 4, 2010: Call For Entries Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 7, 2015: 2014 Ocean Art Competition Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 14, 2021: Ocean Art 2020 Results ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 26, 2022: Ocean Art 2022 Is Calling For Entries ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 17, 2023: Results Ocean Art 2022 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 4, 2010: Call For Entries Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 9, 2011: Call For Entries 2011 Ocean Art Photo Competition ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 14, 2015: Call For Entries Ocean Art 2015 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 11, 2017: 2016 Ocean Art Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 6, 2018: Ocean Art 2018 Is Calling For Entries ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 9, 2019: Ocean Art 2019 Is Open For Entries ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 23, 2020: Call For Entries Ocean Art 2020 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 26, 2022: Ocean Art 2022 Is Calling For Entries ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 14, 2010: Ocean Art Competition Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 13, 2011: Winners Of Ocean Art 2011 Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 7, 2015: 2014 Ocean Art Competition Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 14, 2015: Call For Entries Ocean Art 2015 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 11, 2017: 2016 Ocean Art Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 15, 2019: Results Ocean Art 2019 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 9, 2019: Ocean Art 2019 Is Open For Entries ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 26, 2022: Ocean Art 2022 Is Calling For Entries ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 14, 2015: Call For Entries Ocean Art 2015 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 6, 2018: Ocean Art 2018 Is Calling For Entries ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 14, 2021: Ocean Art 2020 Results ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 14, 2010: Ocean Art Competition Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 13, 2011: Winners Of Ocean Art 2011 Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 18, 2013: Results Ocean Art Contest 2013 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 7, 2015: 2014 Ocean Art Competition Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 6, 2016: Results Ocean Art 2015 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 11, 2017: 2016 Ocean Art Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 15, 2019: Results Ocean Art 2019 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 13, 2020: Results Ocean Art 20191 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 14, 2021: Ocean Art 2020 Results ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 20, 2022: Results Ocean Art 2021 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 17, 2023: Results Ocean Art 2022 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 14, 2010: Ocean Art Competition Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 13, 2020: Results Ocean Art 20191 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 14, 2021: Ocean Art 2020 Results ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 20, 2022: Results Ocean Art 2021 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 13, 2011: Winners Of Ocean Art 2011 Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 15, 2019: Results Ocean Art 2019 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 14, 2010: Ocean Art Competition Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 20, 2022: Results Ocean Art 2021 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 11, 2017: 2016 Ocean Art Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 15, 2019: Results Ocean Art 2019 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 13, 2020: Results Ocean Art 20191 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 13, 2020: Results Ocean Art 20191 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 14, 2021: Ocean Art 2020 Results ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 20, 2022: Results Ocean Art 2021 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 15, 2019: Results Ocean Art 2019 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 14, 2021: Ocean Art 2020 Results ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 20, 2022: Results Ocean Art 2021 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 17, 2023: Results Ocean Art 2022 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 13, 2020: Results Ocean Art 20191 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 14, 2021: Ocean Art 2020 Results ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 20, 2022: Results Ocean Art 2021 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 17, 2023: Results Ocean Art 2022 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 7, 2015: 2014 Ocean Art Competition Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 17, 2023: Results Ocean Art 2022 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 15, 2021: Wetpixel Live Ocean Art 2020 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 13, 2011: Winners Of Ocean Art 2011 Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 4, 2010: Call For Entries Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 14, 2010: Ocean Art Competition Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 9, 2011: Call For Entries 2011 Ocean Art Photo Competition ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 13, 2011: Winners Of Ocean Art 2011 Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 8, 2013: Call For Entries Ocean Art 2013 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 13, 2013: Final Call Ocean Art 2013 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 18, 2013: Results Ocean Art Contest 2013 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 23, 2014: Call For Entries Ocean Art 2014 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 7, 2015: 2014 Ocean Art Competition Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 14, 2015: Call For Entries Ocean Art 2015 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 6, 2016: Results Ocean Art 2015 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 11, 2017: 2016 Ocean Art Winners Announced ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 6, 2018: Ocean Art 2018 Is Calling For Entries ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 15, 2019: Results Ocean Art 2019 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 9, 2019: Ocean Art 2019 Is Open For Entries ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 13, 2020: Results Ocean Art 20191 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 23, 2020: Call For Entries Ocean Art 2020 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 14, 2021: Ocean Art 2020 Results ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 15, 2021: Wetpixel Live Ocean Art 2020 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 20, 2022: Results Ocean Art 2021 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 26, 2022: Ocean Art 2022 Is Calling For Entries ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 17, 2023: Results Ocean Art 2022 ↩
- Call for entries: Ocean Art Underwater photo competition (article) ↩
- Ocean Art competition winners announced (2010) (article) ↩
- Call for entries: 2011 Ocean Art Photo Competition (article) ↩
- Final call for entries: Ocean Art 2011 (article) ↩
- Winners of Ocean Art 2011 announced (article) ↩
- Call for entries: Ocean Art 2013 (article) ↩
- Final call: Ocean Art 2013 (article) ↩
- Results: Ocean Art contest 2013 (article) ↩
- Call for entries: Ocean Art 2014 (article) ↩
- Final call: Ocean Art 2014 (article) ↩
- 2014 Ocean Art competition winners announced (article) ↩
- Call for entries: Ocean Art 2015 (article) ↩
- Results: Ocean Art 2015 (article) ↩
- 2016 Ocean Art winners announced (article) ↩
- Ocean Art 2018 is calling for entries (article) ↩
- Results: Ocean Art 2018 (article) ↩
- Ocean Art 2019 is open for entries (article) ↩
- Results: Ocean Art 2019 (article) ↩
- Call for entries: Ocean Art 2020 (article) ↩
- Ocean Art 2020: Results (article) ↩
- Wetpixel Live: Ocean Art 2020 (article) ↩
- Results: Ocean Art 2021 (article) ↩
- Ocean Art 2022 is calling for entries (article) ↩
- Results: Ocean Art 2022 (article) ↩