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DivePhotoGuide

ADEX Voice of the Ocean Photo+Video+Art Competition 2025

ADEX Voice of the Ocean is the photo, video and art competition associated with the flagship Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) in Singapore, the largest and longest-running dive show in Asia. Held from April 4 to 6, 2025, Singapore Ocean Week, ADEX Ocean Festival 2025 culminates in a captivating live judging event, with a prestigious jury—David Doubilet, Jennifer Hayes, Berkley White, Erin Quigley, Franco Banfi, Kate Jonker, Kay Burn Lim, Nicolas Remy, Tobias Friedrich, and William Tan—choosing the winners and runners-up in the competition categories as well as the “Best of Show” overall winner.

ADEX Ocean Festival 2025 is DEDICATED TO CEPHALOPODS with a CELEBRATION OF MARINE LIFE BEHAVIOR, and ADEX Voice of the Ocean 2025 includes both “Cephalopods” and “Animal Behavior” categories. Entrants are invited to submit their best work in the following five categories: Animal Behavior, Cephalopods, Waterscapes, Artwork, and Short Film.


Submissions closed on March 1st, 2025 11:59PM PST


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.

Judges
VIP GUEST JUDGES
David Doubilet

David Doubilet is considered to be among the best by editors, peers and colleagues the world over. He has photographed over 75 stories for National Geographic magazine, where he is a contributing photographer and author. David has documented our changing underwater world since his first assignment with National Geographic in 1971. He has authored seven books on the sea, and is the recipient of many prestigious awards, including the Sara Prize, the Explorers Club Lowell Thomas Award, and the Lennart Nilsson Award in Photography. He is a member of the Royal Photographic Society and International Diving Hall of fame.

Jennifer Hayes

Jennifer Hayes is an aquatic biologist and photojournalist specializing in natural history and ocean environments from the tropics to the polar regions. Jennifer is a contributing photographer, author and speaker for National Geographic Partners and visiting professor of marine ecology, State University of New York. Jennifer’s passion for the study and conservation of sharks and sturgeons lead to graduate degrees in zoology and marine biology. Jennifer is an award-winning photographer, author of numerous publications and books on marine environments and recipient of the Presidential Award for Environmental Education. Her work has been featured on CNN, ABC Good Morning America, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Channel and Disney. She is a trustee of the Shark Research Institute, Explorer Club Fellow, Contributing Editor for Ocean Geographic Magazine and Principal for Elysium Artists for Antarctic, Arctic and Coral Triangle Expeditions.

JURY PANEL
Berkley White

Berkley White is a leading expert in the field of underwater photography and digital image processing. As a professional photographer and instructor, he shares his in-field photographic techniques and digital methods through a series of select travel events each year. Berkley is the founder of Backscatter in Monterey, California, the largest specialty underwater photographic supplier in the US, and is the organizer of international photographic events such as The Digital Shootout.

Erin Quigley

Erin Quigley is an award-winning photographer and Adobe A.C.E. certified expert in Lightroom and Photoshop. Her company, Go Ask Erin, provides education and post-production resources specifically developed for underwater photographers. Erin is a member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame, the Boston Sea Rovers, and the Ocean Artists Society. She teaches post-production and shooting techniques workshops worldwide.

Franco Banfi

Franco Banfi started shooting pictures 40 years ago and became a professional photographer in 2000, specializing in underwater as well as topside wildlife images. His company, Wildlife Photo Tours, runs trips for small groups interested in encountering and photographing animals both above and below the surface. Fluent in four languages, Franco has explored almost every corner of the planet, and his work has been published in numerous renowned publications around the world, including GEO, National Geographic, and BBC Wildlife.

Kate Jonker

Kate Jonker is an award-winning writer and underwater photographer based in Gordon’s Bay, just outside Cape Town, South Africa. Kate’s passion lies with sharing her love of the ocean and her underwater experiences with others through photography and storytelling. Kate is a regular contributor to numerous underwater photography and diving magazines, and her images have been featured in both local and international publications. She teaches underwater photography and is a qualified dive boat skipper and dive guide for Indigo Scuba Diving Centre, which she owns and runs with her husband.

Kay Burn Lim

Kay Burn Lim is an acclaimed underwater cinematographer and photographer from Australia. His notable achievements include a Best Cinematography nomination for the 2018 Canadian Screen Awards and contributions to television series such as “Great Blue Wild.” Kay is also active in product development with various manufacturers for underwater camera equipment. In late 2023, he founded SUBNOX, a company specialising in the manufacture of underwater video lighting equipment. He also serves as a brand ambassador for several companies.

Nicolas Remy

Nicolas Remy is a French-Australian freelance underwater photographer based in Sydney, Australia. He is the founder of The Underwater Club, an online photography school and community, with members in 18 countries, and he serves as an ambassador for Nauticam and Mares. Nicolas’ images have won over 40 international awards and have been widely published in print and digital media. A seasoned photojournalist, he has authored dozens of articles for publications such as Scuba Diver Magazine, Plongez! and DivePhotoGuide, covering marine life, dive travel, and equipment topics.

Tobias Friedrich

Tobias Friedrich first started taking pictures underwater with a DSLR in 2007. He is based in Wiesbaden, Germany, conveniently close to Frankfurt Airport, a major hub that facilitates his international travels for assignments around the globe. His images have been published in prestigious magazines and newspapers around the world, and numerous underwater photography competitions have honored his work, resulting in over 50 accolades, including 30 first-place awards. Notably, he was crowned “Underwater Photographer of the Year” in the prestigious UPY competition in 2018 and named “German Photographer of the Year” in the World Shootout contest in 2019.

William Tan

William Tan has been fascinated with the creatures of the sea since childhood. While studying at the Johns Hopkins University (USA), much of his spare time was spent gazing at the extensive marine collection of the nearby National Aquarium in Baltimore. A violinist with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, William earned his scuba diving certification in 1994. Thereafter, without his prized antique Italian violin, he travels extensively between concert seasons throughout the Pacific region photographing marine life for scientific institutions, camera and housing manufacturers, tourism organizations, dive magazines and resorts.

Prizes
“Best of Show”: SEACAM underwater housing voucher worth US$10,000

 

SEACAM has been fulfilling the wishes of underwater photographers with an innovative spirit and state-of-the-art technology for more than three decades. Founded in 1989 by Harald Hordosch, a passionate photographer with a fascination for diving and craftsmanship, SEACAM has earned a reputation for products that meet the highest standards of quality and reliability, with every product carefully handcrafted and assembled in Austria. SEACAM housings, strobes and accessories are trusted by the world’s best underwater photographers, including David Doubilet, Laurent Ballesta, Amos Nachoum, Kurt Amsler, Michael Aw, and Tobias Friedrich.

 
10-day dive package at Lembeh Resort and Murex Bangka, Sulawesi, Indonesia worth US$3,600

 

Lembeh Resort is a spectacular boutique style resort situated on Lembeh Island and perched above the beautiful Strait. The property is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and blends perfectly into the landscape. All guest cottages boast spacious verandas for perfect views of glorious North Sulawesi sunsets and an intimate connection with nature. Modern amenities including air-conditioning, mini bar, wifi internet and massage ensure your comfort and relaxation.

7-night liveaboard trip with Fish ‘n Fins Palau on the Ocean Hunter

 

Fish ‘n Fins Palau is the premium one-stop-shop for diving and adventure tours in Palau. Our team of experts and seamless online booking system make planning your ideal Palau dive adventure effortless. Our liveaboard, Ocean Hunter, offers world-class diving experiences, upscale cuisine, and comfortable accommodations for its guests. The ship has eight guest cabins, the upper deck has a sun deck with two jacuzzis and garden furniture for relaxation, and the salon offers a 48-inch wall-mounted flatscreen TV, a computer station, a library, and board games for guests to relax after a dive. Ocean Hunter is Palau’s most luxurious liveaboard.

7-night cruise aboard the Maldives Master worth US$2,625

 

Master Liveaboards was founded as Worldwide Dive and Sail (WWDAS) in 2004 with a simple aim to push the boundaries of liveaboard diving. In short order, they had expanded into Siren Fleet, with liveaboard yachts dotted around Southeast Asia. On the back of this, in 2014, Galapagos Master became the first vessel to bear the current brand name, with the fleet then steadily growing across the Pacific and Caribbean. Through the last few years, there has been consolidation and Master Liveaboards now fully encompasses the Siren Fleet and Master Liveaboards vessels. They are plying the waters of Galapagos, The Bahamas, Bikini Atoll, Solomon Islands, Truk Lagoon, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Palau. The aim remains simple: to push dive industry standards and provide guests with an unsurpassed liveaboard diving experience.

Uncharted Cruises prize TBA

 

Uncharted Cruises is a liveaboard company dedicated to exploring the Indonesian archipelago and connecting diverse cultures through responsible and ecologically friendly travel experiences. We combine our passion for exploratory and expedition diving with a deep commitment to wildlife conservation and respect for nature and the diversity of cultures. The crew is a team of dedicated professionals who share a passion for Indonesia’s history and natural wonders and a commitment to providing a safe and unparalleled experience for our guests. Our boat, Thalassa, is a two-mast comfort phinisi built by hand on a sandy beach over 18 months and in the traditional style of South Sulawesi. She is equipped with the newest high-end equipment. From the engine room to navigation to solar panels, this technology and attention to sustainable practices allows us to safely and conscientiously discover and explore new dive sites and destinations. The expansive interior is equipped with indoor and outdoor dining areas, a fully equipped kitchen, dive deck, and relaxation area, and can host up to eight guests.

SUBNOX SUB10KEF wide-angle video lights (pair) worth US$1,600

 

SUBNOX is a pioneering company founded by underwater cameraman Kay Burn Lim, specializing in the development of advanced underwater lighting products designed for videographers and the general scuba diving community. The company aims to enhance the quality of underwater cinematography by providing reliable and innovative lighting solutions that cater to the unique challenges of illumination and filming in aquatic environments.

 
SUB10KEF 10,000-lumen (93 CRI) wide-angle video light with the ability to switch between daylight color (5600K), and ambient water color for 6–13m (20–43ft) or 13-20m (43–66ft)
5-day, 4-night dive-and-stay package for two people with All 4 Diving Indonesia worth US$1,510

 

The world’s leading retailer of underwater imaging equipment, All 4 Diving Indonesia, a premier PADI 5-star dive facility in Sanur, Bali, offers an extensive range of PADI courses from beginner to professional levels. Experience daily scuba diving and snorkeling tours to explore Bali’s unique underwater ecosystems. Our commitment to safety is our top priority, with the highest standards and procedures in place. Our diving center and day boat, Little Mermaid, are equipped with the latest marine and diver safety equipment and up-to-date PADI multimedia teaching facilities, ensuring your safety is our main focus. As your one-stop destination for all water sports and diving needs across Indonesia, All 4 Diving Indonesia guarantees an exceptional experience. Dive into the beauty of Bali’s underwater world with us, where scuba diving becomes an unforgettable adventure.

Backscatter Hybrid Flash Package worth US$1,260

 

The world’s leading retailer of underwater imaging equipment, Backscatter has been serving underwater photographers and videographers of every skill level, from point-and-shoot to professional, for over 30 years. Headquartered in Monterey, California, Backscatter lives by the philosophy, “We dive, shoot and service everything we sell,” and has created some of the most essential gear used by underwater shooters, including the FLIP filter system for GoPro and the Mini Flash and Optical Snoot. The company also offers comprehensive gear reviews and other educational online content as well as specialized underwater photo and video trips. Every purchase from Backscatter always includes free lifetime tech support.

 
Backscatter Hybrid Flash Package (including Backscatter Hybrid Flash, Nitecore Dual 21700 Battery & Dual USB Charger Package, Backscatter Hybrid Flash Flat Diffuser Package, Backscatter Hybrid Flash Dome Diffuser Package, Backscatter Hybrid Flash Ambient Blue Diffuser Package, Backscatter Hybrid Flash IR Filter)
Marelux Apollo III 2.0 strobe worth US$1,200

 

Founded in California USA, Marelux has grown to become a front runner in the expansive domain of underwater photography. Every product we develop, from our industry-leading mirrorless camera housings to state-of-the-art snoots and strobes with patented design, is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence. Our dedication isn’t limited to creating durable and reliable equipments; it’s about creating a new chapter where underwater photography becomes more accessible, safer, and enjoyable. As we continue to grow and evolve, our focus remains steadfast: to empower underwater photography enthusiasts around the world, ensuring that every dive is an opportunity to capture the unparalleled beauty of the aquatic realm.

 
Apollo III 2.0 Strobe
Umizaru Lite 30 backplate system worth US$785

 

Umizaru, a Singaporean scuba diving brand established in 2016, offers high-quality gear and equipment for underwater exploration. With a focus on innovation and safety, Umizaru caters to diving enthusiasts with a wide range of products designed to enhance the diving experience.

 
 
Umizaru Lite 30 Backplate System (aluminum backplate, single continuous harness, Umizaru Lite outershell made from 1000 denier nylon, 30lbs internal bladder made from 420 denier nylon)
AOI UIS-P1 strobe worth US$750

 

AOI was founded in 1994 in Hong Kong by a team of experienced managers and engineering professionals. The company first started manufacturing compact film cameras which then progressed to single-use cameras, single-use underwater cameras, and underwater digital camera housings. AOI advanced into a professional OEM/ODM underwater camera casings and underwater electronic products manufacturer. In 2014, AOI began to develop a series of underwater conversion lenses and lens port systems for underwater housings and market them under the AOI brand name.

 
Shearwater Peregrine TX dive computer worth US$750

 

Shearwater Research Inc. was founded in 2004 by Bruce Partridge, who brought a unique perspective to the world of dive computers through his background in computer systems design, embedded programming, and advanced technical diving. As an experienced rebreather and open circuit technical diver, Bruce clearly understood the need for divers to be offered reasonable choices, requiring as few button pushes as possible, during stressful underwater situations. Shearwater quickly became a major supplier of trimix computers and electronic control systems for rebreathers. After enjoying wide acceptance in technical diving circles, the company gained popularity amongst recreational divers. Shearwater’s computers are notably easy to use for divers at all development levels and have a reputation for being reliable, user friendly, and easy to read underwater.

Shearwater Peregrine TX
XDEEP prize TBA

 

XDEEP products are made from high-quality materials and components sourced primarily from Germany and the USA and designed to be durable and reliable, even in the harshest underwater environments. The quality of the material used is complemented by the company’s cutting-edge production process. XDEEP is constantly innovating and introducing new products designed to improve the diving experience for backmount and sidemount divers. XDEEP products are designed to be comfortable, even for long dives. They use ergonomic designs and high-quality materials to ensure divers can stay comfortable and focused underwater. XDEEP has gained a worldwide reputation in a relatively short time for producing cutting-edge diving products at reasonable prices—without compromising on quality.

Weefine WFH07 Smart Housing worth US$480

 

Weefine, a brand of Umeing Technology, focuses on diving equipment. Its manufacturing plant is located in Shenzhen, China. Since 2009, Umeing Technology has been committed to the diving product research, development, processing and production, and has won the trust and praise of many well-known ODM customers due to its technological innovation and excellent quality. In 2015, we started to create our own brand—Weefine—and launched a number of product series in diving lighting and photographic equipment, in which the Smart Housing won the best design award in Hong Kong DRT exhibition. The design of Ring Light also led the product trend in the industry. In addition, we also continued to work in the fields of underwater lens, underwater multifunction photographic lamp, and underwater flash lamp and so on, and constantly promoted innovative products.

 
Weefine WFH07 Smart Housing (including storage bag, USB-C charging cable, extended shutter lever, spare O-rings, and other accessories)
X-Adventurer RL3000 PRO ring light worth US$300

 

X-Adventurer was founded in 2010 to design, engineer, and manufacture innovative underwater photographic equipment. As the designer and manufacturer of their own brand, their mission is to increase the popularity of underwater photography by making it more affordable and user-friendly and therefore more enjoyable for both amateurs and professionals. X-Adventurer products are designed to be highly functional, aesthetically appealing, and competitively priced. The combination of these factors makes X-Adventurer products accessible to everyone. The company’s goal is to enable you to have many unforgettable underwater photography experiences!

 
RL3000 PRO ring light with strobe flash mode
Halcyon Univision Mask worth SG$132

 

Living Oceans is a Singapore retailer of premium dive brands. The company’s policy is to ensure that every product they carry has been tried and tested in the toughest of conditions, and held up to its name. Living Oceans’ customers are avid divers that have plunged into uncharted waters and that know their equipment has to be able to perform beyond expectations. Living Oceans invites you to come in for a chat and a coffee, and they’ll be very happy to share their views and recommend what would suit your needs best.

 
 
The Halcyon UniVision delivers a wide spectrum view due to its unique shape and a low-profile form factor that is just deep enough to fit a wide range of faces, including those with a narrower shape
Categories
PHOTO
Animal Behavior

Any underwater image showing natural animal behavior. This includes (but is not limited to) feeding, hunting, fighting, courtship, mating, yawning, and activity at cleaning stations.

Cephalopods

Any underwater image involving a member (or members) of the cephalopod family in its (their) natural habitat. This includes octopuses, squids, cuttlefishes, and nautiluses. Subjects must be exhibiting natural behavior.

Waterscapes

Any image, captured above water, of a natural water body. This includes (but is not limited to) the sea, lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands. Both images shot on land as well as images shot using drones are accepted.

Artwork

Any artistic work depicting or inspired by the ocean or other natural water body. It may be created through two-dimensional media such as drawing, painting and printmaking, or mixed media. Digital drawing and painting tools may also be used. Artworks must be photographed for submission.

VIDEO
Short Film

Any film, five minutes or less in duration, where at least 50 percent of the footage is shot underwater. The remaining footage may be captured on land or from the air, including via drones.