Judges' Remarks on the Ocean Art Photography Contest 2020
In a celebration of underwater photography, the Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition, one of the most renowned events in the diving world, crowned "The Day of the Tentacles" as the overall winner this year. The winning entry showcased an octopus's arms exploring and tasting a dome port, conveying a sense of human interaction that resonated with the judges.
The judging panel, comprising esteemed underwater photographers from around the globe, including Tony Wu, author of the coffee table book "Silent Symphony," and Marty Snyderman, author of Dive Training magazine's Behind the Lens column, ensured expert evaluation of the entries. The judging process was subjective, encouraging diverse points of view and aesthetic sensibilities, and involved debates among judges.
The competition received numerous high-quality images from all over the diving world, despite lockdowns and travel restrictions in 2020. The judges emphasised the importance of adherence to technical rules, such as no watermarks, RAW files required, and authentic underwater natural scenes within the last five years. Ethical considerations were also paramount, with images resulting from harmful harassment to marine life being disqualified at the judges' discretion.
Image quality without excessive manipulation, originality, and no prior major awards were other key judging factors. The competition had 12 different categories, and many outstanding photos were taken with compact cameras. The judges encouraged photographers to create something new and different, rather than just copying someone else's successful efforts.
Recurring themes among the winning images included uniqueness, accurate use of processing software, and multiple elements in an image. The judges also reminded photographers to read the rules thoroughly, think carefully about the most appropriate category for each image, and to calibrate their display before adjusting images.
The judges were pleased with the final outcome of the competition and encouraged photographers to enter the contest again next year. Mark Strickland, who has had careers as a lifeguard, boat captain, scuba instructor, and cruise director, was also part of the judging panel. His work has appeared in many publications around the world and has been displayed at the Smithsonian Institution and United Nations Visitor Center.
In conclusion, the Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition continues to set the bar high for underwater photography, showcasing the best of the diving world's talent and fostering creativity and innovation in the field.
- The winning entry of the Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition, "The Day of the Tentacles," was captured using a compact camera.
- The colorful image of an octopus interacting with a dome port was taken by a photographer who managed to convey a sense of human immediacy.
- The judging panel, comprised of experts in the field such as Tony Wu and Marty Snyderman, emphasized the importance of authenticity and technical adherence in the entries.
- Ethical considerations were prioritized in the judging process, with images showing harm to marine life being disqualified.
- The contest received numerous high-quality images despite the challenges of lockdowns and travel restrictions in 2020.
- Image quality, originality, and proper usage of processing software like Photoshop and Lightroom were other key factors in the judging process.
- Judges encouraged photographers to think carefully about the most appropriate category for their images and to calibrate their display before adjusting images.
- In addition to judging the contest, Mark Strickland, a renowned photographer and lifestyle expert, shared his insights with the participants.
- The Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition, a prominent event in the diving world, consistently sets the standard for underwater photography, promoting creativity and innovation in the field.
