2014 Ocean Art Photo Competition

Announcing the 2014 Ocean Art Photo Competition, brought to you by the Underwater Photography Guide.
By Scott Gietler

Ocean Art Photo Competition 2014

Over $70,000 in prizes and growing!

 

Winners Choose Their Own Prizes

3 Categories Dedicated to Compact Camera Users

 

** WINNERS ANNOUNCED - SEE WINNING PHOTOS HERE **

 

2014 Submission Period Ended

 

- open to all photographers -

 

Categories

Wide-Angle • Macro • Marine Life Behavior • Portrait • Cold/ Temperate

Nudibranchs  • SuperMacro • Diver / Underwater Model / Fashion • Novice dSLR

Compact Camera Wide-Angle • Compact Camera Marine Life Behavior • Compact Camera Macro

 

Entry Form Link  • Entry Fee Info • Rules • Category Details • Judges • Prize Details

 

 

View the 2014 Ocean Art winning photographs

View the 2013 Ocean Art winning photographs

View the 2011 Ocean Art winning photographs

View the 2010 Ocean Art winning photographs

 

 

Ocean Art 2014 Competition Sponsors & Prizes


 

SMY Ondina, a romantic and modern wooden schooner, runs fantastic Indonesia liveaboard adventure safaris to dive Komodo, Fak Fak, Flores, Sulawesi and the Raja Ampat area - some of the most amazing waters in the world. Eight air-conditioned double cabins with en suite bathroom guarantee a level of comfort you’ll appreciate. The SMY Ondina is sponsoring an 11-day trip on their liveaboard for ANY of their scheduled cruises + 50% off your companion!

 


 

Paradise Taveuni

Paradise Taveuni is a secluded and remote boutique Resort offering some of the best soft coral dive sites in the South Pacific. This is a place where divers find true hospitality and while experiencing the culture of a mystical land. Paradise Taveuni is sponsoring a 7-night dive package that includes unlimited beach dives!

 


 

Manthiri Maldives LiveaboardDivers are spoiled from the moment they arrive on the Manthiri. The luxury liveaboard experience is made even better by Manthiri's crew, who have expert knowledge of Maldives marine life and the most remote and pristine dive sites across the 1000 island chain. Manthiri is sponsoring a 7-night liveaboard cruise in the Maldives!

 


 

Bilikiki offers liveaboard dive trips in the Solomon islands, from ships consistently rated among the best live-aboards in the world, with some of the best diving in the world. You'll have a good opportunity to see sharks, mantas, dolphins, and turtles, barracuda, and more varieties of coral than almost anywhere. Bilikiki is sponsoring a 7-night trip on any of their Solomon Islands liveaboards!

 


 

LissenungSome consider Lissenung Island Resort the ultimate paradise. Imagine a small tropical island covered in palm trees, surrounded by a white sandy beach, a beautiful house reef and some of the best diving in the world. Lissenung Island is located just off Kavieng, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea. Nestled amongst natural surrounds, traditionally built bungalows accommodate a max. of 14 guests. Forget your high heels, tropical attire is our dress code. At Lissenung Island Resort, personal service is guaranteed and a visit here is truly exclusive! Lissenung is sponsoring a 10-night stay + diving!

 


 

Bluewater PhotoBluewater Photo is the premier online and retail shop for underwater photography gear as well as international photo trips. Offering years of experience and expert advice on cameras, housings, strobes and accessories, Bluewater Photo is known for excellent customer service during and after sale.  Bluewater Photo is sponsoring gift certificates for several contest winners!

 


 

 

Ocean Art 2014 Competition Sponsors & Prizes


 

Villa MarkisaVilla Markisa is an exclusive resort located on the north east coast of Bali. Nestled at the foot of Bali’s most famous volcano “Gunung Agung”, the private bungalows offer individual service and great attention to detail. Bali's famous Liberty Wreck is minutes away, and the house reef has hundreds of nudibranch species.  Villa Markisa is sponsoring a 7-night stay in the deluxe bungalow, full board, and diving for the 1st place winner of the Nudibranch category!

 


 

Discovery Fleet

 

The Discovery Fleet offers full diving and non-diving cruises through the Philippines Islands. Avid divers & u/w photographers can expect a full day of diving spectacular coral reefs, wrecks and incredible marine life while non-diving companions can snorkel, visit remote islands and even kayak. Discovery Fleet is sponsoring a 7-night spring 2015 Tubbataha cruise for one with companion 50% off!

 


 


Known for Red Sea diving, Emperor Divers has expanded its fleet with the MV Emperor Voyager, offering divers several itineraries through the Maldives. Dive with schools of fish, sharks, mantas and rays in the comfort of the remodeled boat. Emperor Divers is sponsoring a 7-night Best of the Maldives liveaboard for one with companion 50% off!

 


 

VoliVoliDive into the heart of Fiji at VoliVoli Beach Resort. World-class reefs and marine life during the dive day are paired with a relaxing and friendly resort atmosphere for the ultimate Fiji dive vacation. For those with more time, the Fiji Siren is also based at VoliVoli, presenting a great opportunity to combine a liveaboard and resort trip. VoliVoli is sponsoring a 7-night, 10-dive package with twin-share accommodation!

 

 


 

Atmosphere ResortAtmosphere Resort & Spa delivers a luxurious retreat and dining experience with incredible diving in one of the world's most famous dive regions - Dumaguete, Philippines. Atmosphere is sponsoring a 7-night, 10-dive package with free nitrox and airport transfers!

 

 

Kosrae Island is truly a hidden treasure, tucked away in the Federated States of Micronesia on top of some of the most lush and healthy coral reefs in the world. Kosrae Nautilus Resort caters to divers who are looking for remote, uncrowded, pristine reefs. They offer complete dive, accommodations and meals packages. Kosrae Nautilus resort is sponsoring a 7-night twin-share with 5-day dive package for two people!

 


 

Atlantis Dive Resorts offer one of the most outstanding values for a first class dive vacation in the world today. Experience Atlantis' luxury liveaboard (Atlantis Azores) or visit resorts in Dumaguette and Puerto Galera, Philppines. Atlantis Dive Resorts is sponsoring a 7-night dive package at either Atlantis Puerto Galera or Atlantis Dumaguete!

 


 

Wananavu FijiWananavu. Combine the awe-inspiring diving of the famous bligh waters, the soft coral capital of the world, the only land-based dive operation. in Fiji that is able to offer dive guests onsite on-demand nitrox and you have... Wananavu. Wananavu is sponsoring a 7-night, 10-dive package with unlimited shore diving & free bure upgrade!

 


 

Palau Dive Adventures

Palau Dive Adventures specializes in week-long group diving excursions in the epic waters of Palau. Offering personalized attention, service and safety the team gets underwater photographers to where the action is. Palau Dive Adventures is sponsoring a week-long dive package for one lucky Ocean Art winner!

 

 

Mike Ball Dive Expeditions

Since 1969 Mike Ball has been setting standards in the Australian dive industry with exceptional liveaboard expeditions to the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Mike Ball is sponsoring a 3-night Fly Dive Cod Hole expedition!

 

 


Alor Divers

 

Alor Divers is situated on a large white sand beach just minutes from world-class Indonesian diving. Slopes and walls full of coral, fish and seasonal whales await divers, as well unlimited house reef diving in front of the intimate resort. Alor Divers is sponsoring a 9-night dive and stay package!

 


 

Manta Ray Bay and Yap Divers

Manta Ray Bay Resort is known for incredible manta ray dives. The islands also have an abundant reef shark population, soft corals and mating mandarin fish to keep underwater photographers shooting nonstop. Manta Ray Bay is sponsoring a buy 1 get 1 free 7-night, 5-day dive package!

 


El Galleon Dive ResortEl Galleon Beach Resort is a favorite among divers and underwater photographers visiting Puerto Galera. Situated in the middle of the marine park, the diving is excellent while the resort features a 5-star restaurant, spa services and much more. El Galleon is sponsoring a 7-night dive package!

 


 

Maluku DiversThe Maluku Divers Resort in Laha is one of the must visit locations in any diver’s Indonesian dive list. The only dedicated dive resort in Ambon, the facility was built specifically with divers in mind and boasts the most unique and comfortable accommodations in the whole of Maluku.  Maluku Divers Resort is sponsoring a 4-night, 12-dive package with twin-share accommodation!

 


 

Sea SabaJuliana's Hotel paired with Sea Saba Dive Center is your paradise in the Caribbean. Sea Saba offers unspoiled diving with no cruise ships along with a variety of accomodations (including cottages) at Juliana's. They pride themselves on the highest levels of service. Juliana's and Sea Saba are sponsoring a 3-night stay and dive package for an Ocean Art winner!

 

 

Eco Divers

Eco Divers is the only Indonesia resort offering liveaboard diving by day with a resort stay by evening for a truly unique Lembeh Strait dive experience. Catering to underwater photographers, Eco Divers visits some of the best macro sites in the world.  Eco Divers Lembeh is sponsoring a 5-night all-inclusive dive package!

 

 


 

Blackbeard's CruisesBlackbeard's Cruises offers liveaboard scuba vacation packages to the outer Bahamas islands, along with a huge variety of diving - sharks, walls, reefs and more. Blackbeard's is sponsoring a week-long liveaboard scuba adventure!

 


 

Scuba Seraya ResortScuba Seraya is a beautiful resort in Tulamben that truly embraces the lifestyle of Bali. A blend of incredible macro and wide-angle diving awaits, with a relaxed schedule and friendly resort staff. Scuba Seraya is sponsoring a 4-night dive package for two!

 

Bluewater Travel

Bluewater Travel is a full service dive travel agency covering over 100 of the top resorts and liveaboards worldwide. Run by divers for divers, Bluewater Travel specializes in photo excursions and sets divers up to capture their best photos. Bluewater Travel is sponsoring gift certificates for u/w photo workshops, group & individual dive travel!

 

 

 

Entry Form Link  • Entry Fee Info • Rules • Category Details • Judges • Prize Details

 

Ocean Art Photo Competition 2014

  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott Gietler is the owner of Bluewater Photo, Bluewater Travel, and the Underwater Photography Guide. Bluewater Photo, based in Culver City, CA is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious underwater camera stores, serving many thousands of customers each year, where nothing is more important than customer service. The Underwater Photography Guide is the world’s first website to feature free tutorials on underwater photography, and has become the most trafficked resource on underwater photography worldwide. Bluewater Travel is a full-service dive travel wholesaler sending groups and individuals on the world’s best dive vacations. 

Scott is also an avid diver, underwater photographer, and budding marine biologist, having created the online guide to the underwater flora and fauna of Southern California. He is the past vice-president of the Los Angeles Underwater Photographic Society, has volunteered extensively at the Santa Monica aquarium, and is the creator of the Ocean Art underwater photo competition, one of the largest underwater international photo competitions ever held in terms of value of prizes. He lives in California with his wife, newborn girl and scuba-diving, photo taking 4 year old son.

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