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DPG/Wetpixel Masters Underwater Imaging Competition 2022

Best of Show by Martin
Best of Show

PHOTOGRAPHER
Martin Broen

CATEGORY
Black & White
1st Place

The DPG/Wetpixel 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
Traditional
Gold
Lion Rays by Renata Romeo (Italy)
Renata Romeo
Italy

"Lion Rays"
Location: Makadi Bay, Hurgada, Red Sea
Silver
Leafy seadragon in the sun by Nicolas Remy (Australia)
Nicolas Remy
Australia

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

"Salmon 1"
Location: Adams River Canada
Honorable Mention
Mobula dance by Vanessa Mignon (France)
Vanessa Mignon
France

"Mobula dance"
Location: Mexico
Honorable Mention
Tannic Glow by Martin Broen (United States)
Martin Broen
United States

"Tannic Glow"
Location: Cancun, Mexico
Macro
Gold
Dragon in a Dream by Nicolas Remy (Australia)
Nicolas Remy
Australia

"Dragon in a Dream"
Location: Rapid Bay, Australia
Silver
Little Beauty by Enrico Somogyi (Germany)
Enrico Somogyi
Germany

"Little Beauty"
Location: Cala Sant Vincenc, Mallorca,Spain
Bronze
new life by Alessandro Giannaccini (Italy)
Alessandro Giannaccini
Italy

"new life"
Location: sharm el sheikh
Honorable Mention
The design of Nature by Suzan Meldonian (United States)
Suzan Meldonian
United States

"The design of Nature"
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida
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
Wide Angle
Gold
Godiva in the sunshine by Raffaele Livornese (Italy)
Raffaele Livornese
Italy

"Godiva in the sunshine"
Location: Gulf of Neaples Italy
Silver
Face to face in the dark by Taner Atilgan (Turkey)
Taner Atilgan
Turkey

"Face to face in the dark"
Location: Funchal / Madeira
Bronze
Face to Face by Mirko Zanni (Switzerland)
Mirko Zanni
Switzerland

"Face to Face"
Location: Canada
Honorable Mention
Car Wash Cavern with Tannic Water by Fan Ping (China)
Fan Ping
China

"Car Wash Cavern with Tannic Water"
Location: Mexico
Honorable Mention
frogs spawn by Naohiro Takasu (Japan)
Naohiro Takasu
Japan

"frogs spawn"
Location: Owase, Japan
Over-Under
Gold
Stingray at Dawn by JillAnne Ward McCarty (United States)
JillAnne Ward McCarty
United States

"Stingray at Dawn"
Location: Grand Cayman
Silver
Sharks and birds by Borut Furlan  (Slovenia)
Borut Furlan
Slovenia

"Sharks and birds"
Location: French Polynesia
Bronze
Compass jellyfish at sunrise by Martin Stevens (United Kingdom)
Martin Stevens
United Kingdom

"Compass jellyfish at sunrise"
Location: Cornwall, UK
Honorable Mention
sunset over the reef by Nathalie Rodrigues (France)
Nathalie Rodrigues
France

"sunset over the reef"
Location: terre sainte reunion
Honorable Mention
Toads by Claudio Zori (Italy)
Claudio Zori
Italy

"Toads"
Location: Monticolo Lake-Italy
Black & White
Gold
Big Cave Chamber by Martin Broen (United States)
Martin Broen
United States

"Big Cave Chamber"
Location: Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Silver
The Next Generation by Sage Ono (United States)
Sage Ono
United States

"The Next Generation"
Location: San Carlos Beach, California
Bronze
Chandelier At Night by Wen Chou Wu (Taiwan)
Wen Chou Wu
Taiwan

"Chandelier At Night"
Location: Romblon, Philippines
Honorable Mention
Cenote Xulu by Herbert Meyrl (Germany)
Herbert Meyrl
Germany

"Cenote Xulu"
Location: Mexico, Quintana Roo
Honorable Mention
Circle of light by Gianni Pecchiar (Italy)
Gianni Pecchiar
Italy

"Circle of light"
Location: Rt. Kamenjak National Park, Pula, Croatia
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 (macro or wide angle) captured in the “traditional” way—that is, with strictly limited post-processing. Only global adjustment of brightness, contrast, color, and sharpness is allowed. Cropping, cloning, and other digital manipulation are not permitted. This restriction on digital manipulation enables people who are not as savvy at Photoshop 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. Before selecting winning entries, we will audit your original RAW files.

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 has no specific rules regarding digital manipulation. However, as we are not running a digital manipulation contest, you should exercise care in the decisions that you make.

Wide Angle

Any image captured with a wide-angle lens (focal length 35mm or less in 35mm format). Unlike the “Traditional” category, this category has no specific rules regarding digital manipulation. However, as we are not running a digital manipulation contest, you should exercise care in the decisions that you make.

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.

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. At least 50% of the footage must be shot underwater.

Prizes
Martin Broen9-night liveaboard trip with MV Oceania, Papua New Guinea
Various lighting and lens accessories from Inon
Various imaging equipment from Backscatter
Various lighting equipment from Ikelite
Alex del Olmo7-day packages at Solitude Lembeh Resort, Indonesia or Solitude Acacia Resort, Anilao, Philippines
7-night package at Atlantis Puerto Galera or Atlantis Dumaguete, Philippines
JillAnne Ward McCarty7-night trip to the Solomon Islands aboard the Solomons PNG Master
Nicolas Remy10-day dive packages at Lembeh Strait and Bangka with Critters@Lembeh and Lembeh Resort
Various lighting equipment from Ikelite
Raffaele Livornese7-night liveaboard trip with Dive Damai
Renata Romeo10-day dive packages at Lembeh Strait and Bangka with Critters@Lembeh and Lembeh Resort
Wen Chou Wu7-night dive package at Walindi Dive Resort, Papua New Guinea
Borut Furlan 7-night packages with Eco Divers Lembeh, Indonesia
Enrico Somogyi7-night packages at Crystal Blue Resort, Anilao, Philippines
Mirko Zanni7-night packages with Eco Divers Lembeh, Indonesia
Martin Stevens7-night packages at Crystal Blue Resort, Anilao, Philippines
Taner Atilgan7-day packages at Gulen Dive Resort, Norway
Mattias Granberg7-day packages at Gulen Dive Resort, Norway
Sage Ono7-day packages at Solitude Lembeh Resort, Indonesia or Solitude Acacia Resort, Anilao, Philippines
Yung-Sen Wu5-night packages at Siladen Resort & Spa, Sulawesi, Indonesia
Alessandro Giannaccini5-night packages at Siladen Resort & Spa, Sulawesi, Indonesia
Gianni Pecchiar3-day diving safari in Tulamben with Bali Diving Academy
Naohiro TakasuVarious imaging equipment from Isotta
Various imaging equipment from Backscatter
Suzan MeldonianVarious lighting and lens accessories from Inon
Various imaging equipment from Backscatter
Tobias DahlinVarious imaging equipment from Isotta
Herbert MeyrlVarious lighting and lens accessories from Inon
Alfred SchaschlVarious imaging equipment from Backscatter
Nathalie RodriguesVarious imaging equipment from Backscatter
Claudio ZoriVarious lighting equipment from Ikelite
Vanessa MignonVarious lighting equipment from Ikelite
Fan PingVarious lighting equipment from Ikelite
Adriano MorettinVarious lighting equipment from Ikelite
Prize Details
10-day dive packages at Lembeh Strait and Bangka with Critters@Lembeh and Lembeh Resort

 

7-night packages at Crystal Blue Resort, Anilao, Philippines

 

7-night packages with Eco Divers Lembeh, Indonesia

 

7-day packages at Gulen Dive Resort, Norway

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

7-night liveaboard trip with Dive Damai

 

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

 

Various lighting equipment from Ikelite

 

DS230 213Ws TTL Strobe DS160 II 160Ws TTL Strobe DS51 II 50Ws TTL Strobe
Various imaging equipment from Backscatter

 

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

 

Various lighting and lens accessories from Inon

 

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

 

Various imaging equipment from Isotta

 

GoPro HERO 8–11 Housing FotoSub Bag Dry Bag
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. www.goaskerin.com

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 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 Photography Awards. Her work has also appeared throughout the world in leading online dive publications and in print, including National Geographic, and she has been featured by multiple news outlets. www.beneaththesurfaceimaging.com

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. www.facebook.com