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.

 

2024 Contest Topics

Jan – Eels

Feb – Say “Ahh”

Mar – Symbiosis

Apr – Eye Contact

May – “Butt Shots” (Interesting shots)

Jun – Stripes

Jul – Seastars (Formally Starfish)

Aug – Goatfish

Sep – Sharks or Rays

Oct – “Prickly”

Nov – Rule of Thirds

Dec – Party – No Contest

2023 Photographers of the Year 

2023 Novice Division Winners

  • 1st Place – Lissa Armstrong
  • 2nd Place – Jennifer Crocker 
  • 3rd Place – Sally Wheeler

2023 Intermediate Division Winners

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

2023 Open Division Winners

  • 1st Place – Dave Wheeler
  • 2nd Place – Woody Mayhew
  • 3rd Place – Richard Todd

November 2024 Photo Contest Winners. (All copyrights remain with the photographer.)

Novice

  • 1st Place – Mikael Lindström
  • 2nd Place – Jennifer Crocker
  • 3rd Place – Nam Pham

Intermediate

  • 1st Place – Lissa Armstrong
  • 2nd Place – Paul Crocker
  • 3rd Place – Carol Herrlie

Open / Advanced

  • 1st Place – Woody Mayhew
  • 2nd Place – Richard Todd
  • 3rd Place – Richard Todd

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.