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
May 2026 Photo Contest Winners. (All copyrights remain with the photographer.)
Novice
- 1st Place – Laurel Ligon
- 2nd Place – Nam Pham
- 3rd Place – Nam Pham
Intermediate
- 1st Place – Jennifer Crocker
- 2nd Place – Paul Brooks
- 3rd Place – Jennifer Crocker
Advanced
- 1st Place – Paul Crocker
- 2nd Place – John Perritt
- 3rd Place – Richard Todd
Other Novice Entries:
- Lauren Brooks
- Brian Wicker
- Laurel Ligon
- Max Peterson
- Jim Magnuson
- Brian Wicker
- Mike Brown
- Jim Magnuson
- Lauren Brooks
- Mike Brown
Other Intermediate Entries:
- Paul Brooks
- Aline Franco-Flores
Other Advanced Entries:
- Jay Freeman
- Carol Herrlie
- John Perritt
- Shawn Rener
- Jay Freeman
- Shawn Rener
- Igor Ivensky
- Richard Todd
- Carol Herrlie
NEW Video Category:
Contest Rules
- Only members in good standing (dues current) can enter.
- Members may enter up to two images each month. Each entry must fit the topic of the month.
- Entries must have been taken underwater, with the exception of topics that would require surface shots. They also must have been edited by the entrant.
- 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 entrants is not present, the tie goes to the entrant who is present.
- No aquarium or pool shots.
- No entry in any of the above divisions or categories 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.
- Any work that has produced monetary compensation for the entrant is ineligible for competition.
- 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.
- 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.
- Divers visibly damaging (e.g. gear dragging or kicking up sand) the environment.
- Animals with signs of stress (e.g. puffed puffers, inking octopus).
- Animals moved to an unnatural environment or risky location.
- Animals being fed (especially artificial food from divers) with the exception of sharks.
- Marine life being touched (e.g. coral polyps, seahorse tails).
- Divers exhibiting poor bouyancy control.