Join us in congratulating this year’s Digital Online Underwater Photography and Film Competition winners!
DATE: Thursday 18th May 2023
TIME: 7 PM
LOCATION: Deep Dive Dubai
NON-MEMBERS: AED 75 Entry (must be registered by a member – this is a catered event)
REGISTRATION: Please email Layla to book your place and those of your guests at projects@emiratesdiving.com
We look forward to seeing you all on this very special night to celebrate this year’s award-winning work from photographers and videographers that highlights the importance of protecting our beautiful marine environment. We have our partners and prize sponsors to thank in making this event possible each year. There are some fantastic prizes to be handed out to our winners. Join us in this social evening and cheer them on!
Refreshments and a specially formulated sustainable menu with some of the best handmade freshly prepared samosas you’ll ever have had will be served at the event by @moreish.by.k.
SUBMISSIONS OPEN: Monday 6th March 2023
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE: Thursday 6th April 2023 @ 11:59 PM (GST)
DIGITAL ONLINE AWARDS & EXHIBITION OPENING NIGHT: Thursday, 18th May 2023 at Deep Dive Dubai
DIGITAL ONLINE’S MAIN OBJECTIVES ARE:
Digital Online is open to all photographers and videographers of all skill levels with a valid EDA Membership status. EDA membership must
be renewed if expired or acquired in order to take part: www.emiratesdiving.com/membership-form
DIGITAL ONLINE 2009-2023
Digital Online – EDA’s Underwater Photography and Film Competition, is about to celebrate its 14th year! The competition was introduced by EDA in 2009 to resident photographers to develop a relationship and human interaction amongst those unfamiliar with the underwater world environment. The competition holds both local and international marine life categories to offer variety between our local and international diving enthusiasts. The film category was introduced as an extension to the competition in 2012 to share our underwater world through motion pictures and deliver a better understanding of the habitats and surroundings.
The event sees continuous and steady growth with new underwater photographers taking part and joining our regular annual participants. The enthusiasm and passion strives on, and the drive to bring our underwater world’s conservation to the forefront increases even more so. The purpose of Digital Online is to keep our underwater world visible by displaying its hidden beauties and to exemplify its importance to all life on Earth through the powers of its ecosystems.
The event has attained equal success with non-divers who come to support the participating photographers and videographers at the annual Awards & Exhibition Opening Night. Whether it’s through discussions, or articles published for our readers through our free quarterly magazine, Divers for the Environment, the inspiration the event brings, is a success in its own right.
COMPETITION CLAUSE
EDA does not disclose photographers’ names during the judging process. The competition is run fairly and without prejudice, professionally adhering to all of Digital Online’s rules and guidelines throughout.
RULES AND GUIDELINES
HOW TO ENTER
HOW PRIZES ARE AWARDED
Once the judging is complete, the winners will be able to choose a prize available to them on the list they will receive via email. Digital Online Judges award a 3-way point system to each photograph/video consisting of Technique, Composition, and Impact which is added to give the image or video’s total grand score.
Best of show with the highest points will get first choice. 1st place winners by highest score will choose a prize before all other winners, 2nd place winners before 3rd place winners, etc. Please note, each individual can only win one prize. If photographers get a multiple win, their highest scoring image will win a prize and the other will get a highly commended mention which will also be displayed at the event.
Photographers may enter one image per photography category. The categories are open to photos taken with any type of camera: DSLR, mirrorless or compact.
Details to Include with Each Photo Submission:
1. MACRO
Definition: Photographs taken with close-up equipment, portraying underwater flora and/or fauna. The photographer may not crop the original more than 20%. The original image may be requested.
2. WIDE ANGLE
Definition: Photographs taken with a wide angle lens (or adapters that provide an equal field-of-view), with or without human presence, portraying the natural beauty of the underwater environment.
3. BEST OF THE UAE
Definition: Any underwater subject taken in the UAE or Musandam.
4. BLACK & WHITE
Definition: Black and white photography is timeless and elegant. Focus on tonal contrast, shapes and textures and the composition of the shot.
5. BEHAVIOUR (New Addition for 2023)
Definition: An underwater photograph showing marine life action, such as feeding, cleaning, schooling, mating, fighting, etc.
6. CREATIVE UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY
Definition: This field is wide open. It can involve a simple workflow used to capture a unique look of a photo. Or it can be a complex post-processing technique that is used to bring out the mood and textures in an image. Photos entered into this category can be taken in any underwater environment – including controlled environments (e.g. pools, tanks). The main subject can be anything ranging from an abstract concept to a person (a diver, freediver, model, etc.) to a fish. There are no post-processing (photoshop) limits in this category. This category is designed to let your imagination swim free.
You may enter one film with the following title:
7. UNDERWATER DIMENSIONS
Definition: Looking for films of all genres – documentaries, narratives, shorts and animation films. Film subject must focus on all aspects of our underwater world including but not limited to: ocean exploration, wildlife, environmental, conservation and oceanography.
