Photo Contests

DUPS conducts a monthly photo contest at each meeting. You must be a member in good standing (paid member) to enter but everyone present can vote. We have 3 Division levels in which to compete.

 

2026 DUPS Photo Contest Topics

Jan – Black & White

Feb – Hard Corals (Video Month)

Mar – Patterns

Apr – Pufferfish

May – Facial Expressions

Jun – Boxfish/Trunkfish (Video Month)

Jul – Red, White, or Blue

Aug – Batfish/Spadefish

Sep – Parasites

Oct – Hiding Behind (Video Month)

Nov – Leading Lines

Dec –  Party Dec. 13th – No Contest

2025 Photographers of the Year

2025 Novice Division Winners

  • 1st Place – Jennifer Crocker
  • 2nd Place – Nam Pham
  • 3rd Place – Laurel Ligon

2025 Intermediate Division Winners

  • 1st Place – Paul Crocker 
  • 2nd Place – Paul Brooks
  • 3rd Place – Linda Briggs

2025 Advanced Division Winners

  • 1st Place – Jay Freeman
  • 2nd Place – Richard Todd
  • 3rd Place – Carol Herrlie

February 2026 Photo Contest Winners. (All copyrights remain with the photographer.)

Novice 

  • 1st Place – Nam Pham
  • 2nd Place – Lauren Brooks
  • 3rd Place – Nam Pham
 

Intermediate 

  • 1st Place – Paul Brooks
  • 2nd Place – Jennifer Crocker
  • 3rd Place – Jennifer Crocker

Advanced 

  • 1st Place – Richard Todd
  • 2nd Place – Jay Freeman
  • 3rd Place – Jay Freeman

Contest Rules

  1. Only members in good standing (dues current) can enter.
  2. Members may enter up to two images each month. Each entry must fit the topic of the month.
  3. Submissions must have been taken underwater, with the exception of topics that would require surface shots.
  4. The photographer/videographer does not have to be present at the monthly meeting to enter their work. However, in the event of a tie, if either of the photographers/videographers is not present, the tie goes to the photographer/videographer who is present.
  5. No aquarium or pool shots unless the monthly topic calls for that.
  6. No entry in any of the above divisions or catagories will be accepted that has won first place in any competition. First, second or third place winners from previous DUPS competitions are not eligible for resubmission.
  7. Any work that has produced monetary compensation for the photographer is ineligible for competition.
  8. Entries will be disqualified if, in the opinion of the Photo Contest Officer, the entry does not meet the monthly subject topic, or violates any of the marine conservation rules listed below.
  9. The general membership and others in attendance will be the judges of the monthly contest entries in accordance with the guidelines set forth above.

Marine Conservation

Marine life should never be stressed or endangered for the sake of a photo.  Entries exhibiting the following behavior that is diver-caused will be summarily disqualified by the Photo Contest Officer.

  1. Divers visibly damaging (e.g. gear dragging or kicking up sand) the environment.
  2. Animals with signs of stress (e.g. puffed puffers, inking octopus).
  3. Animals moved to an unnatural environment or risky location.
  4. Animals being fed (especially artificial food from divers) with the exception of sharks.
  5. Marine life being touched (e.g. coral polyps, seahorse tails).
  6. Divers exhibiting poor bouyancy control.