Participate in underwater photography contests- a practical guide (UPY, Ocean Art, LIFRAS). Categories for beginners and tips from judges to help you improve.
Participating in an underwater photography competition is accessible to all skill levels. The major competitions include the UPY (Underwater Photographer of the Year), Ocean Art, and the LIFRAS competition for Belgian photographers. Most offer categories specifically for compact cameras and smartphones, making them accessible to amateur photographers of all levels.
When I looked at the results of the UPY 2022, I spent an hour analyzing the winning images in the "Compact" category without closing my browser. It wasn't frustration, it was learning. Each winning photo answered the same question that I need to ask myself before every dive: what does this image say about the subject, and why this fraction of a second rather than another?
Participating in an underwater photography competition without aiming for first place is already a form of achievement.
Competitions have an often-underestimated benefit: they create useful constraints. A deadline, a limited number of images, and specific rules. These constraints force you to make choices.
In photography, choosing means eliminating 95% of your photos to keep the 5% that deserve to be seen. A photographer who regularly participates in competitions develops this ability to select much faster than someone who posts daily on Instagram without any editorial filtering.There's also passive feedback: reviewing the results from previous editions is one of the best ways to understand what distinguishes a good photo from an award-winning one. Most competitions publish the winning images along with comments from the judges.
And if you are planning a transition towards a more serious activity in underwater photography, being selected in a competition (even without winning) is a valuable credential that you can mention in your portfolio. Our article on selling your underwater photos details how to monetize this portfolio.
The UPY is the most well-known underwater photography competition in the world. Created in 2015 in the United Kingdom, it brings together thousands of participants from over 70 countries. The categories cover a wide range: wide angle, macro, black and white, diver portrait, topside (surface), and since 2023, a smartphone category.
The winning photos are exhibited at the Natural History Museum in London. The results are published each year in March.
Registration fees: approximately £15-20 per category.
To analyze the current level and trends, see our article on the UPY 2026 results.
Registration fees: approximately $10-15 per category.
DEEP Indonesia is the largest diving trade show in Southeast Asia and hosts an associated photography competition each year. It is particularly suitable for photographers who regularly dive in Indonesia (Raja Ampat, Komodo, Bali). The categories focus on Indo-Pacific marine life.
The Ligue Francophone de Recherches et d'Activités Subaquatiques (LIFRAS) organizes an annual photo and video competition open to members. It is the ideal starting point for Belgian photographers who are new to competitions.
The atmosphere is friendly, the amateur category is accessible, and registration fees are often free for members. It is also a great opportunity to meet other Belgian underwater photographers.
Other competitions deserve attention depending on your specialty: the Glassbox Photography Award (focused on conservation), regional competitions organized by diving clubs or festivals. An annual search for "underwater photography competition 2026" helps update the list each year.## Categories Suitable for Beginners
All the competitions mentioned offer categories designed for photographers with less experience. Here's where to look first.
"Compact" Category: This category is reserved for waterproof compact cameras (e.g., TG-7, Sealife DC2000, Ricoh WG-80). The technical level in this category is often more consistent than in hybrid or DSLR categories.
"Smartphone" Category: Introduced by UPY since 2023. This allows participation using an iPhone or Samsung in a waterproof housing without needing to invest in dedicated equipment.
"Wide Angle" Category: Surprisingly, this category can be quite accessible. Wide-angle photography underwater allows you to capture impactful images even with simple equipment, provided you have good control over natural light.
"Conservation" Category: This category focuses on environmental documentation and values honest representation more than pure technical performance.
Be aware of the use of artificial intelligence in competitions. The rules have changed significantly in 2025-2026. Please consult our explanations regarding AI rules in underwater photo contests before submitting your entries.
The golden rule: submit your best photo for each category, not necessarily the most recent one.
Here's the recommended process before each competition:First, gather all the photos you have taken since your last participation (or within the past 12 months). Do not pre-select anything at this stage.
Next, sort the photos by category for the competition you are targeting. Which photos fit into each category? Set them aside separately.
Then, evaluate them technically: sharpness of the main subject, exposure, absence of excessive noise, and intentional composition. Eliminate any images that do not meet these basic criteria.
Finally, from what remains, ask yourself about each image: "Does this photo convey something more than just a catalog picture?" The judges are looking for intention, emotion, and perspective. A rare subject can help, but it is not enough if the photo lacks intention.
The technical preparation of the files is as important as the selection process. Read the competition rules carefully: maximum file size, accepted formats (usually only JPEG), and permitted editing conditions.
After analyzing jury comments published by UPY, Ocean Art, and LIFRAS over several years, here are the recurring factors in winning entries.
The Decisive Moment. Most unawarded photos suffer from the same problem: an interesting subject, correct lighting, but not the precise moment when something significant happens. The judges look for behavior, interaction, that fraction of a second where the image comes to life and makes sense.The Simplicity of the Main Subject. Overly complex compositions (multiple subjects competing for attention, a complicated background, a confusing coral reef) are often less effective than images where the subject is clearly isolated within the frame.
Mastery of Light. In underwater photography without flash, skillful use of natural light immediately makes a difference. A subject bathed in surface light, controlled backlighting, or a diagonal ray of light: these elements are difficult to achieve and are therefore highly valued.
Consistency in Post-Processing. Aggressive post-processing that appears to be trying to "save" an underexposed photo is easily recognized. Judges generally prefer a well-captured image with minimal editing over a heavily processed, "rescued" image.
Authenticity of Behavior. Photos depicting natural, unprovoked behavior are consistently preferred over posed shots. A nudibranch on coral is common. The same nudibranch while laying eggs or interacting with another individual is exceptional.
Competitions are one of the best and most affordable tools for improvement. Participate, analyze the results, and try again. And if you want to accelerate the development of your photographic vision before your next competition, the AquaExposure underwater photography course is specifically designed for that purpose.
To improve your mastery of your equipment and optimize your procedures while diving, discover the AquaExposure training modules.
No. Most competitions, including the UPY (Underwater Photographer of the Year), offer specific categories for amateur photographers and even beginners. Some competitions have categories reserved for photos taken with smartphones or waterproof compact cameras.
The Underwater Photographer of the Year (UPY), based in the UK, is generally recognized as the most prestigious competition. It attracts thousands of entrants from over 70 countries. Ocean Art, organized by Wetpixel, is another major international competition with more accessible entry requirements.
Yes, several competitions have categories specifically for smartphone photography. The Underwater Photographer of the Year (UPY) introduced a smartphone category in 2023. These categories are particularly accessible to beginners who dive with an iPhone or a Samsung in an underwater housing.
It depends on the competition rules. Some nature categories prohibit any editing beyond cropping and exposure adjustment. Other artistic categories allow for more extensive retouching. Please read the rules carefully before submitting your entry.
Check the results from previous editions of the competition you're interested in. Honestly compare your images with the winning photographs. If your best photo is of a similar technical and artistic quality, then enter it. The only way to know is to participate.
Entry fees vary depending on the competition. For UPY, it's approximately £15-20 per category. For Ocean Art, it's around $10-15 per category. The LIFRAS competition (Belgium) is often free or has very low entry fees for members. Some regional competitions are completely free.
Most reputable photography competitions require that a photograph not have previously won an award in another competition, but they often allow photographs that have already been published on social media or in a portfolio. Always check the eligibility requirements outlined in the rules of each specific competition.
The rules have changed significantly in 2025-2026. Most reputable competitions now prohibit substantial modifications made using AI (adding, deleting, or replacing elements). Adjusting colors and reducing noise with AI are generally tolerated. Please check the specific rules of each competition before submitting your work.
