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DPG Masters Underwater Imaging Competition 2022

Best of Show by Martin Broen
Best of Show

PHOTOGRAPHER
Martin Broen

CATEGORY
Black & White
Gold

The DPG Masters Underwater Imaging Competition has become the “World Championship” of international underwater imagery events. The competition celebrates the splendor of the oceans and the challenging art of underwater photography and video.

Our esteemed panel of judges—Erin Quigley, Kurt Amsler, Marty Snyderman, Renee Capozzola, Tom St George, and William Tan—pored over thousands of entries submitted by shooters from all over the world.

Congratulations to Martin Broen, who won the grand prize for his 1st place image in the Black & White category, taking home $1,000 in cash. We would also like to congratulate the 1st place winners in the other categories: Renata Romeo (Traditional), Nicolas Remy (Macro), Raffaele Livornese (Wide Angle), JillAnne Ward McCarty (Over-Under), and Alex del Olmo (Short Film).

The winners will be published by supporting media partners worldwide. You can enjoy the winning images and videos below.

As with all Underwater Competition Series events, 15% of entry proceeds will be donated to marine conservation efforts.

Winners
BEST OF SHOW
Best of Show by Martin Broen

Black & White
Gold
Martin Broen United States
Prize
9-night liveaboard trip with MV Oceania, Papua New Guinea

Various lighting equipment from Ikelite
Traditional
Gold
Lion Rays by Renata Romeo (Italy)

Renata Romeo
Italy

"Lion Rays"
Location: Makadi Bay, Hurgada, Red Sea
Prize
10-day dive packages at Lembeh Strait and Bangka with Critters@Lembeh and Lembeh Resort
Silver
Leafy seadragon in the sun by Nicolas Remy (Australia)

Nicolas Remy
Australia

"Leafy seadragon in the sun"
Location: Rapid Bay, South Australia
Prize
Various lighting equipment from Ikelite
Bronze
Salmon 1 by Yung-Sen Wu (Taiwan)

Yung-Sen Wu
Taiwan

"Salmon 1"
Location: Adams River Canada
Prize
5-night packages at Siladen Resort & Spa, Sulawesi, Indonesia
Honorable Mention
Mobula dance by Vanessa Mignon (Australia)

Vanessa Mignon
Australia

"Mobula dance"
Location: Mexico
Prize
Various lighting equipment from Ikelite
Honorable Mention
Tannic Glow by Martin Broen (United States)

Martin Broen
United States

"Tannic Glow"
Location: Cancun, Mexico
Prize
Various lighting and lens accessories from Inon

Various imaging equipment from Backscatter
Macro
Gold
Dragon in a Dream by Nicolas Remy (Australia)

Nicolas Remy
Australia

"Dragon in a Dream"
Location: Rapid Bay, Australia
Prize
10-day dive packages at Lembeh Strait and Bangka with Critters@Lembeh and Lembeh Resort
Silver
Little Beauty by Enrico Somogyi (Germany)

Enrico Somogyi
Germany

"Little Beauty"
Location: Cala Sant Vincenc, Mallorca,Spain
Prize
7-night packages at Crystal Blue Resort, Anilao, Philippines
Bronze
new life by Alessandro Giannaccini (Italy)

Alessandro Giannaccini
Italy

"new life"
Location: sharm el sheikh
Prize
5-night packages at Siladen Resort & Spa, Sulawesi, Indonesia
Honorable Mention
The design of Nature by Suzan Meldonian (United States)

Suzan Meldonian
United States

"The design of Nature"
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida
Prize
Various imaging equipment from Backscatter

Various lighting and lens accessories from Inon
Honorable Mention
Yellow gobies with green mini goby in the shell. by Adriano Morettin (Italy)

Adriano Morettin
Italy

"Yellow gobies with green mini goby in the shell."
Location: Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
Prize
Various lighting equipment from Ikelite
Wide Angle
Gold
Godiva in the sunshine by Raffaele Livornese (Italy)

Raffaele Livornese
Italy

"Godiva in the sunshine"
Location: Gulf of Neaples Italy
Prize
7-night liveaboard trip with Dive Damai
Silver
Face to face in the dark by Taner Atilgan (Turkey)

Taner Atilgan
Turkey

"Face to face in the dark"
Location: Funchal / Madeira
Prize
7-day packages at Gulen Dive Resort, Norway
Bronze
Face to Face by Mirko Zanni (Switzerland)

Mirko Zanni
Switzerland

"Face to Face"
Location: Canada
Prize
7-night packages with Eco Divers Lembeh, Indonesia
Honorable Mention
Car Wash Cavern with Tannic Water by Fan Ping (China)

Fan Ping
China

"Car Wash Cavern with Tannic Water"
Location: Mexico
Prize
Various lighting equipment from Ikelite
Honorable Mention
frogs spawn by Naohiro Takasu (Japan)

Naohiro Takasu
Japan

"frogs spawn"
Location: Owase, Japan
Prize
Various imaging equipment from Backscatter

Various imaging equipment from Isotta
Over-Under
Gold
Stingray at Dawn by JillAnne Ward McCarty (United States)

JillAnne Ward McCarty
United States

"Stingray at Dawn"
Location: Grand Cayman
Prize
7-night trip to the Solomon Islands aboard the Solomons PNG Master
Silver
Sharks and birds by Borut Furlan  (Slovenia)

Borut Furlan
Slovenia

"Sharks and birds"
Location: French Polynesia
Prize
7-night packages with Eco Divers Lembeh, Indonesia
Bronze
Compass jellyfish at sunrise by Martin Stevens (United Kingdom)

Martin Stevens
United Kingdom

"Compass jellyfish at sunrise"
Location: Cornwall, UK
Prize
7-night packages at Crystal Blue Resort, Anilao, Philippines
Honorable Mention
sunset over the reef by Nathalie Rodrigues (France)

Nathalie Rodrigues
France

"sunset over the reef"
Location: terre sainte reunion
Prize
Various imaging equipment from Backscatter
Honorable Mention
Toads by Claudio Zori (Italy)

Claudio Zori
Italy

"Toads"
Location: Monticolo Lake-Italy
Prize
Various lighting equipment from Ikelite
Black & White
Gold
Big Cave Chamber by Martin Broen (United States)

Martin Broen
United States

"Big Cave Chamber"
Location: Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Prize
9-night liveaboard trip with MV Oceania, Papua New Guinea

Various lighting equipment from Ikelite
Silver
The Next Generation by Sage Ono (United States)

Sage Ono
United States

"The Next Generation"
Location: San Carlos Beach, California
Prize
7-day packages at Solitude Lembeh Resort, Indonesia or Solitude Acacia Resort, Anilao, Philippines
Bronze
Chandelier At Night by Wen Chou Wu (Taiwan)

Wen Chou Wu
Taiwan

"Chandelier At Night"
Location: Romblon, Philippines
Prize
7-night dive package at Walindi Dive Resort, Papua New Guinea
Honorable Mention
Cenote Xulu by Herbert Meyrl (Germany)

Herbert Meyrl
Germany

"Cenote Xulu"
Location: Mexico, Quintana Roo
Prize
Various lighting and lens accessories from Inon
Honorable Mention
Circle of light by Gianni Pecchiar (Italy)

Gianni Pecchiar
Italy

"Circle of light"
Location: Rt. Kamenjak National Park, Pula, Croatia
Prize
3-day diving safari in Tulamben with Bali Diving Academy
Short Film
Gold

Alex del Olmo
Spain
"Out of the Black and into the Blue: Banda Sea"
Silver

Mattias Granberg
Sweden
"Coldwater Diversity"
Bronze

Alex del Olmo
Spain
"Out of the Black and into the Blue: Triton Bay"
Honorable Mention

Tobias Dahlin
Sweden
"What Have We Done?"
Honorable Mention

Alfred Schaschl
Austria
"Sharkydelity"
Categories
PHOTO
Traditional

Any image captured in the “traditional” way—that is, only global adjustments of brightness, contrast, color, and sharpness are allowed. Cropping, cloning, and other digital manipulation—including spot (backscatter) removal—are not permitted. Restricting digital manipulation enables people who are not as savvy at photo editing to compete on more-or-less even ground as those with more experience. It also highlights composition and lighting skills by not allowing cropping and cloning. Macro, wide-angle, over-under and blackwater images can all be entered in this category—as long as they comply with the above post-processing restrictions.

Macro

Any close-up image captured with a macro lens, where the reproduction ratio is between 1:10 and 1:1, or greater. Unlike the “Traditional” category, this category is more permissive with digital manipulation. However, as we are not running a digital manipulation contest, you should exercise care in the decisions that you make. (Please refer to the Rules & Guidelines for details.)

Wide Angle

Any image captured with a wide-angle lens (focal length 35mm or less in 35mm format). Unlike the “Traditional” category, this category is more permissive with digital manipulation. However, as we are not running a digital manipulation contest, you should exercise care in the decisions that you make. (Please refer to the Rules & Guidelines for details.)

Over-Under

Any image where the lower portion is underwater and the upper portion is above water. Splits, aka half-and-halfs, will be judged on the merits of the picture as a whole. A minimum of 30% of the image should be underwater. Only “true” over-unders—captured in a single frame in camera—are allowed. Multiple exposures or composite images are not permitted. Note: Split shots can only be entered in the “Over-Under” and “Traditional” categories.

Black & White

Any single-toned image, such as black and white, or sepia, with no additional accent color.

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.

Judges
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.

Kurt Amsler

Kurt Amsler is an underwater photographer and environmentalist from Switzerland. Kurt studied photography at arts school in Zurich, becoming one of Europe’s first professional underwater photographers. Over the years, he has received over 100 awards in international photo contests, while his countless magazine and newspaper articles have helped readers connect with the marine world. Kurt worked with dive pioneer Hans Hass to produce the 1985 documentary, The Maldives: Paradise Transformed, and has contributed to many other TV productions as a cameraman. He has authored 12 books on the subaquatic realm, as well as his well-received memoir A Life Behind the Camera. He has also been awarded for his environmental work, including recognition from the PADI AWARE Foundation. www.photosub.com

Marty Snyderman

Based in Solana Beach, California, Marty Snyderman has been making still photographs and films for almost 50 years. He has taught, written for various publications, given presentations about underwater image making, and judged contests for almost 45 years. Marty has been honored with a 2018 NOGI award in the Arts, an Emmy award for his cinematography, a Reaching Out Award from DEMA in 2008, and the 2020 California Scuba Service Award. He serves as the Photography Ambassador for Atlantis Dive Resorts and Liveaboards. www.martysnyderman.com

Renee Capozzola

Renee Capozzola is an award-winning, conservation-oriented underwater photographer who specializes in wide-angle and split-level images. Her work is an intriguing combination of artistic talent honed through oil painting during her youth, a professional background in biology, and growing up by the ocean as a Southern Californian native. Her images have been awarded over 50 prestigious international accolades, including “Underwater Photographer of the Year 2021” in the Underwater Photographer of the Year competition and the “Female Fifty Fathoms Award” from Blancpain through the 2021 “Ocean Photographer of the Year.” Her work has also appeared throughout the world in leading publications, including National Geographic in print, and she serves as an Ocean Geographic Photographer-in-Residence. Renee has been featured by multiple news outlets such as CNN, USA Today, and the BBC and is also a fellow of The Explorers Club and an Ambassador for SEACAM. When she is not in the water with her camera, Renee strives to educate others about the challenges facing our oceans and the importance of conserving marine ecosystems.

Tom St George

Tom St George discovered a passion for diving over 20 years ago after emigrating from the UK to New Zealand. A decade later, the wanderlust struck again but with renewed force, motivating him to quit his office job and travel the world. When he settled on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, it was in cenotes that his dual obsessions of scuba diving and photography truly came together. He is best known for his award-winning images of these underwater caves, which have been published worldwide. Tom now works full time as a photographer and also offers underwater photography coaching and group workshops. www.tomstgeorge.com

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
10-day dive packages at Lembeh Strait and Bangka with Critters@Lembeh and Lembeh Resort

 

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.

Various lighting equipment from Ikelite

 

Ikelite has manufactured underwater flashlights, compasses and photographic equipment since 1962, introducing many innovative new products to the diving industry like the first O-ring sealed underwater light to incorporate a sealed beam bulb, and the first diving compass with a rotating bezel and direct reading degrees. Ikelite manufactures a diverse line of underwater photographic equipment that ranges from housings for simple point-and-shoot cameras to exotic housings for slr and video cameras. Ikelite is famous for the design and manufacture of sophisticated electronic flash units, strobe mounting systems, and a wide range of unique accessories for underwater photography.

 
DS230 213Ws TTL Strobe DS160 II 160Ws TTL Strobe DS51 II 50Ws TTL Strobe
7-night packages at Crystal Blue Resort, Anilao, Philippines

 

Crystal Blue Resort is the first resort in Anilao, Philippines to be purpose-built for underwater photographers. With low guest-to-guide ratios, limited boat loads, long bottom times, and professionally trained guides, the resort ensures that guests experience the best of what Anilao has to offer. Anilao is well known throughout the world for its high-impact macro subjects, so bring your critter list along for the hunt! Crystal Blue Resort’s grounds are well manicured, organized and ready to meet the high standard of any well-traveled photographer or group. Chef prepared meals, air-conditioned rooms, nitrox, and the resort’s renowned house reef are awaiting your arrival.

7-night packages with Eco Divers Lembeh, Indonesia

 

Eco Divers’ highly experienced Lembeh guides know every inch of the Strait and will show you where the best critter action can be found. You’ll stay in a unique location, the only white sandy beach in Lembeh Strait, and all rooms have an amazing ocean view. Elegantly furnished and air-conditioned throughout, each double bedroom has an ensuite bathroom with Western-style toilet, shower and hot and cold running water.

7-day packages at Solitude Lembeh Resort, Indonesia or Solitude Acacia Resort, Anilao, Philippines

 

Welcome to Solitude Liveaboards & Resorts, a forward-thinking collection of resorts and liveaboards committed to crafting exceptional experiences in breathtaking locales known for their vibrant marine life and welcoming communities. From its inception, our founders shared a vision to establish an intimate portfolio of boutique liveaboards and resorts that prioritize hospitality, value, and the well-being of guests and staff alike. Our unwavering dedication ensures that every guest is treated as a VVIP, with warm and sincere hospitality from the moment of arrival. Our devoted team wholeheartedly strives to provide outstanding service, creating indelible memories for each guest in our care. Join us in discovering extraordinary moments in some of the world’s most captivating destinations.

5-night packages at Siladen Resort & Spa, Sulawesi, Indonesia

 

Siladen Resort & Spa, an exclusive boutique dive resort on Pulau Siladen, sits in the heart of Bunaken National Marine Park, a global marine biodiversity hotspot. Since 2003, this international resort has offered exquisite comfort and unforgettable diving in North Sulawesi. The resort’s spa provides traditional treatments and natural therapies for ultimate relaxation. Siladen’s sister resort on Bangka Island, Coral Eye, allows guests to combine two exceptional destinations in one vacation, experiencing some of Indonesia’s best dive sites. Together, these resorts offer divers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the rich underwater worlds of North Sulawesi while enjoying luxurious accommodations, delicious food, and world-class amenities.

7-day packages at Gulen Dive Resort, Norway

 

Gulen Dive Resort is located in western Norway, in the coastal area of Sogne Fjord, the world’s largest. The diving centre is surrounded by many unique and varied dive sites, ranging from big WWII wrecks to icy nature dives. The resort’s house reef is home to more species of nudibranchs than anywhere else in Europe—all found in the same place. Gulen Dive Resort is a Netto-positive dive travel company, meaning it releases fewer CO2 emissions or other related gases that damage our global environment than it captures with its sustainability program.

7-night trip to the Solomon Islands aboard the Solomons PNG Master

 

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.

9-night liveaboard trip with MV Oceania, Papua New Guinea

 

MV Oceania is the newest addition to liveaboard diving in the waters of Papua New Guinea. Working out of Walindi Plantation Resort, MV Oceania commenced operations in January 2019. She is a 88-foot catamaran accommodating up to 16 guests in fully rebuilt cabins and guest areas. Itineraries include the waters of the Bismarck Sea and beyond, for diving trips on some of the most biodiverse reefs in the world.

7-night dive package at Walindi Dive Resort, Papua New Guinea

 

Walindi Resort is a small dive resort, situated on the shores of Kimbe Bay, Northern New Britain, Papua New Guinea. New Britain is the largest of Papua New Guinea’s Islands. Walindi’s accommodation consists of 12 self contained, comfortable bure style bungalows spread along the beach front, and surrounded by rainforest gardens. The bungalows are constructed of local materials and timbers, with thatched roofs. They are all fully screened, with private bathroom, a kitchenette with tea and coffee making facilities, and ceiling fans. Laundry service daily is included in the tariff.

7-night package at Atlantis Puerto Galera or Atlantis Dumaguete, Philippines

 

With small dive groups, five-star service, a dedicated camera room in each resort, and top-class cuisine, Atlantis Dive Resorts and Liveaboards offer a great opportunity to dive Philippines’ premier destinations, Puerto Galera and Dumaguete, from their two beachfront dedicated dive resorts, as well as Apo Reef, Coron, Tubbataha, and Visayas Safari off their liveaboard Atlantis Azores. Dumaguete features dark volcanic sand, with rich macro life and excellent critter diving, while Puerto Galera boasts vivid reefs, incredible formations and rich marine life. Atlantis Azores offers divers the opportunity to explore remote locations, covering the best dive sites in a week.

7-night liveaboard trip with Dive Damai

 

Dive Damai has the most varied travel itineraries in the diving industry in the world’s best diving locations. The Dive Damai fleet sets a new standard for safety and comfort: Our vessels have been specifically designed for cruising and diving in the tropical waters of Indonesia with passenger well-being our top priority. We specialize in small groups receiving personalized service on purpose-built traditional wooden schooners with a dive-guide-to-guest ratio of 1 to 4. We started what will become the industry standard!

Various imaging equipment from Backscatter

 

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.

 
 
Mini Flash 2 Ultimate Package
with Optical Snoot and
Color Filter System
Macro Wide 4300
Video Light Package
FLIP11 Pro Pack

 
     
  Complimentary Housing Overhaul   $250 Gift Certificate  
Various lighting and lens accessories from Inon

 

Inon designs and manufactures a wide range of underwater imaging equipment, from arm systems and GoPro accessories to housings and strobes. Their catalog includes the S-220 and D-200 strobes, and an extensive range of close-up and wide-angle lens attachments that have become the go-to conversion lenses for countless underwater photographers.

 
D-200 Strobe UCL-90 M67 Close-up Lens LF1100h-EWf Light
3-day diving safari in Tulamben with Bali Diving Academy

 

Bali Diving Academy, a 5-star member of PADI, has been long recognized as Bali’s premier diving service provider. Operating since 1991, it is a Swiss-owned diving operation of the highest quality, multilingual and 100% accident-free. Our PADI professional management and full service facilities are located in four premier diving locations: Sanur (main office), Tulamben, Pemuteran and Nusa Lembongan, providing an unmatched range of diving experiences. Bali Diving Academy is proudly environmentally responsible and community based, and has something for everyone who wants to discover the underwater world: scuba diving as well as freediving and yoga, with or without accommodation.

Various imaging equipment from Isotta

 

Since 1967 Isotta’s family has marketed high-end equipment for underwater video, photography and lighting, starting its own production in 1980. In four decades of development, the company has always offered its customers cutting-edge signature red products that are fully manufactured in Italy. With extensive industry experience, we strive to build the highest-quality products to keep photographers around the world comfortable when shooting underwater and their cameras protected from the elements, empowering them to frame memorable moments in water.

 
GoPro HERO 8–11 Housing FotoSub Bag Dry Bag