Territory: Worldwide
Theme: Underwater
Eligibility: The organizers call on underwater shooters of all levels, from novice to professional, to compete in what has become the “World Championship” of international underwater imagery events.
Entry Fees: $10/image
The DPG Masters Underwater Imaging Competition is a long-established and widely respected contest that celebrates the splendor of the oceans and the challenging art of underwater photography and video.
The organizers call on underwater shooters of all levels, from novice to professional, to compete in what has become the “World Championship” of international underwater imagery events.
The prizes, worth more than $85,000 in total, include dive trips with the world’s top resorts and liveaboards, and the latest underwater photo and video gear.
Entrants compete for prizes in 10 categories, with the photographer or filmmaker behind the top entry among the category winners crowned “DPG Grand Master 2025.” The overall winner will receive a top trip prize as well as a top equipment prize.
This year’s illustrious judging panel comprises six top photographers: Nicolas Remy, Jennifer Hayes, Álvaro Herrero (Mekan), Jill Heinerth, Aaron Wong, and Kate Jonker.
As well as assessing your entries, each of these seasoned photo pros is offering a unique “mentor prize” to one lucky winner — an invaluable hour-long one-on-one video chat session to review your portfolio and give you handy tips and advice to help make your underwater photography even better.
Winners will be revealed on UnderwaterCompetition.com and published by supporting media partners worldwide shortly thereafter.
The entry fees are US$10 per image or video entered. As with all Underwater Competition Series events, 15% of entry proceeds will be donated to marine conservation efforts.
SPECIAL MENTOR PRIZES
One-on-one portfolio review sessions with the judges
Six winners each receive a unique “mentor prize,” a one-on-one video chat with one of the six members of the judging panel.
An invaluable learning opportunity, the hour-long sessions offer winners the chance to go through their portfolios and discuss ways to improve their photography with a seasoned photo pro.
Dive Trip Prizes Include:
• 10-day dive packages at Lembeh Resort and Murex Bangka, Sulawesi, Indonesia
• 9-night liveaboard trip with MV Oceania, Papua New Guinea
• 7-night dive package at Walindi Dive Resort, Papua New Guinea
• 7-night packages with Eco Divers Lembeh, Indonesia
• 7-day packages at Gulen Dive Resort, Norway
• 7-night package at Solitude Acacia Resort, Anilao, Philippines
• 7-night package at Solitude Lembeh Resort, Indonesia
• 5-night packages at Crystal Blue Resort, Anilao, Philippines
• 7-night liveaboard trip on the Philippine Siren
• 7-night package at Atlantis Puerto Galera or Atlantis Dumaguete, Philippines
• $3,000 voucher towards a trip to Wakatobi Dive Resort or on the Pelagian liveaboard
• 7-night package at Silver Reef Dive Resort, Dumaguete, Philippines
& Equipment
