As a leading innovator in underwater imaging technology, DIVEVOLK is committed to promoting the development of underwater photography on mobile phones. With the continuous progress in mobile photography, the imaging capabilities and computational power of smartphones have now surpassed most conventional cameras on the market. We believe that smartphone are the best underwater cameras for divers. For this reason, DIVEVOLK has sponsored a series of underwater photography competitions and has collaborated to introduce a dedicated category for mobile phone underwater photography.
We sincerely invite you to participate in smartphone underwater photography competiton for a chance to win prizes and earn recognition.
Underwater Photographer of the Year（UPY）
What is the UPY
Founded in 1965 in the UK, the Underwater Photographer of the Year competition has nearly 60 years of history. It is one of the most famous and longest-running international events in underwater photography, often called "the Oscars of underwater photography." The contest honors the world's best underwater photographers and selects outstanding photos taken in both ocean and freshwater environments. Over the years, UPY has attracted top divers and photographers from around the world. For example, Dr. Alex Mustard, a world-famous underwater photography master, is not only a regular participant and multiple winner, but also serves as a judge. Well-known photographers Alex Dawson, David Doubilet, and Paul Nicklen have also competed many times.
Moble Phone Category
From 2026, UPY made history by partnering with DIVEVOLK. The brand-new "Mobile Phone Category," exclusively sponsored by DIVEVOLK, officially joined the competition. DIVEVOLK offers generous prizes for this category to honor outstanding mobile photography:
- First Prize: £500
- Second Prize: £300
- Third Prize: £200
Winners will not only receive cash prizes and honors, but their winning photos will also be collected and published in the UPY Year book.
How to Enter
To sign up, please click the link below to visit the UPY official website 👇
https://underwaterphotographeroftheyear.com
Click here to learn about the UPY 2026 registration process 👇
https://www.divevolkdiving.com/blogs/news/how-to-enter-upy-2026-guide
Founded in 1965 in the UK, the Underwater Photographer of the Year competition has nearly 60 years of history. It is one of the most famous and longest-running international events in underwater photography, often called "the Oscars of underwater photography." The contest honors the world's best underwater photographers and selects outstanding photos taken in both ocean and freshwater environments. Over the years, UPY has attracted top divers and photographers from around the world. For example, Dr. Alex Mustard, a world-famous underwater photography master, is not only a regular participant and multiple winner, but also serves as a judge. Well-known photographers Alex Dawson, David Doubilet, and Paul Nicklen have also competed many times.
From 2026, UPY made history by partnering with DIVEVOLK. The brand-new "Mobile Phone Category," exclusively sponsored by DIVEVOLK, officially joined the competition. DIVEVOLK offers generous prizes for this category to honor outstanding mobile photography:
- First Prize: £500
- Second Prize: £300
- Third Prize: £200
Winners will not only receive cash prizes and honors, but their winning photos will also be collected and published in the UPY Year book.
To sign up, please click the link below to visit the UPY official website 👇
https://underwaterphotographeroftheyear.com
Click here to learn about the UPY 2026 registration process 👇
https://www.divevolkdiving.com/blogs/news/how-to-enter-upy-2026-guide
Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year (OGPICOTY）
What is the OGPICOTY
OG PICOTY is known as one of the world's most influential underwater and ocean image competitions. It has judges who are famous international ocean photographers, filmmakers, and visual storytellers. The contest aims to encourage innovation, originality, and excellent creativity to improve and redefine global standards for underwater and ocean images. It is open to professional, amateur, and new photographers and filmmakers from around the world.
The main goal of OG PICOTY is to celebrate the beauty of the ocean while raising awareness about ocean protection and environmental responsibility. The competition is owned and organized by OceanNEnvironment Ltd (ONE) and Ocean Geographic Society (OGS), the publisher of Ocean Geographic magazine. Originality, creativity, and ethical practices are strongly encouraged in all categories.
Smartphone Pictures & Videos
OGPICOTY has specially created the Smartphone Pictures & Videos category to encourage photos and videos shot and edited on smartphones. It celebrates easy-to-share and engaging stories, and encourages participants to share their ocean experiences widely, especially on social media platforms. As a sponsor partner, DIVEVOLK provides high-value underwater equipment every year. Rewards include certificates, equipment, travel prizes, and cash. Winning works will also be published in Ocean Geographic magazine and on its website. In 2026, the total prize money for OGPICOTY exceeds $110,000 .
How to Enter
To sign up, please click the link below to visit the OGPICOTY official website 👇
OG PICOTY is known as one of the world's most influential underwater and ocean image competitions. It has judges who are famous international ocean photographers, filmmakers, and visual storytellers. The contest aims to encourage innovation, originality, and excellent creativity to improve and redefine global standards for underwater and ocean images. It is open to professional, amateur, and new photographers and filmmakers from around the world.
The main goal of OG PICOTY is to celebrate the beauty of the ocean while raising awareness about ocean protection and environmental responsibility. The competition is owned and organized by OceanNEnvironment Ltd (ONE) and Ocean Geographic Society (OGS), the publisher of Ocean Geographic magazine. Originality, creativity, and ethical practices are strongly encouraged in all categories.
OGPICOTY has specially created the Smartphone Pictures & Videos category to encourage photos and videos shot and edited on smartphones. It celebrates easy-to-share and engaging stories, and encourages participants to share their ocean experiences widely, especially on social media platforms. As a sponsor partner, DIVEVOLK provides high-value underwater equipment every year. Rewards include certificates, equipment, travel prizes, and cash. Winning works will also be published in Ocean Geographic magazine and on its website. In 2026, the total prize money for OGPICOTY exceeds $110,000 .
To sign up, please click the link below to visit the OGPICOTY official website 👇
Underwater Photo Awards （UWPA）
What is the UWPA
UWPA is a new international underwater photography competition founded in Russia in 2025. Unlike many traditional contests, UWPA was built on one simple belief from day one: "True creativity and real moments matter far more than the price of your gear." It aims to discover new talent in underwater photography worldwide.To ensure professional quality and global perspective, the competition invited several well-known international underwater photographers as judges. Core members include experienced Spanish photographer Manuel Castellanos, Moscow-based photographer and artist Dmitry Koch, and Andrey Kamenev, among others.
Mobile Photography
In its first year, UWPA partnered with DIVEVOLK to create the Mobile Photography category. This encourages participants to shoot and submit photos using mobile phones and other small portable devices. DIVEVOLK sponsored a range of high-value underwater equipment for this category to honor outstanding mobile photography.
Winners announced at prime time, Moscow Dive Show main stage. Winning works printed and displayed on site.
How to Enter
To sign up, please click the link below to visit the UWPA official website 👇
Click here to learn about the UPY 2026 registration process 👇
https://www.divevolkdiving.com/blogs/news/uwpa-mobile-photography-contest-2025
UWPA is a new international underwater photography competition founded in Russia in 2025. Unlike many traditional contests, UWPA was built on one simple belief from day one: "True creativity and real moments matter far more than the price of your gear." It aims to discover new talent in underwater photography worldwide.To ensure professional quality and global perspective, the competition invited several well-known international underwater photographers as judges. Core members include experienced Spanish photographer Manuel Castellanos, Moscow-based photographer and artist Dmitry Koch, and Andrey Kamenev, among others.
In its first year, UWPA partnered with DIVEVOLK to create the Mobile Photography category. This encourages participants to shoot and submit photos using mobile phones and other small portable devices. DIVEVOLK sponsored a range of high-value underwater equipment for this category to honor outstanding mobile photography.
Winners announced at prime time, Moscow Dive Show main stage. Winning works printed and displayed on site.
To sign up, please click the link below to visit the UWPA official website 👇
Click here to learn about the UPY 2026 registration process 👇
https://www.divevolkdiving.com/blogs/news/uwpa-mobile-photography-contest-2025
Dive Photo Guide (DPG)
What is the DPG
DivePhotoGuide is a comprehensive underwater photography and videography resource and award-winning website for photographers and videographers of all levels. Features include underwater photography technique guides, travel and destination guides, photo galleries, equipment guides, daily news, product reviews, event calendars, competitions, and a community of over 50,000 underwater photographers and videographers from around the globe. Several times each year we also host DPG underwater photography expeditions.
Whether you use a point-and-shoot, mirrorless camera or a DSLR, shoot stills or video, use one strobe or two, are a wide-angle junkie or a macro fanatic, DPG will provide you with the content, features and community that will help make your time out of the water a little more interesting, keep you informed about the world of underwater photography, and help improve your skills.
Underwater Photopraphy
DPG organizes several underwater photography trips each year. They set different prizes and cash rewards for each competition to encourage people to submit their work. As a sponsor partner, DIVEVOLK provides high-value underwater equipment every year.
How to Enter
To sign up, please click the link below to visit the OGPICOTY official website 👇
https://www.divephotoguide.com/monthly-underwater-photography-contest/
DivePhotoGuide is a comprehensive underwater photography and videography resource and award-winning website for photographers and videographers of all levels. Features include underwater photography technique guides, travel and destination guides, photo galleries, equipment guides, daily news, product reviews, event calendars, competitions, and a community of over 50,000 underwater photographers and videographers from around the globe. Several times each year we also host DPG underwater photography expeditions.
Whether you use a point-and-shoot, mirrorless camera or a DSLR, shoot stills or video, use one strobe or two, are a wide-angle junkie or a macro fanatic, DPG will provide you with the content, features and community that will help make your time out of the water a little more interesting, keep you informed about the world of underwater photography, and help improve your skills.
DPG organizes several underwater photography trips each year. They set different prizes and cash rewards for each competition to encourage people to submit their work. As a sponsor partner, DIVEVOLK provides high-value underwater equipment every year.
To sign up, please click the link below to visit the OGPICOTY official website 👇
https://www.divephotoguide.com/monthly-underwater-photography-contest/
The World Underwater Federation, Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS).
What is the CMAS
Founded in 1959 in Monaco and it now includes more than 120 federations, from six continents. CMAS is the world's largest non-commercial diving federation and offers the most extensive dive training systems.
CMAS Underwater Photo Competition,run by the World Underwater Federation (CMAS), this international contest tests photographers' real-time shooting skills under strict rules — not artistic editing. Its key feature is "shoot on site, straight out of camera" with a sealed-camera process. It includes the World Championship and World Cup. Competitors form teams to represent their countries, competing in wide-angle, macro, and other categories. Judges score anonymously based on technique, composition, and subject presentation.
Underwater Photography
CMAS holds competitions in different countries or regions every year, encouraging divers to take part in national underwater photography activities and compete for the CMAS World Championship. DIVEVOLK, as a sponsor, provides high-value underwater equipment every year.
How to Enter
To sign up, please click the link below to visit the CMAS official website 👇
📌CMAS holds competitions in different countries and regions every year. Participants must first compete in their local regional competitions and win awards to qualify for the CMAS World Championship. For specific details, please check the CMAS official website.
Founded in 1959 in Monaco and it now includes more than 120 federations, from six continents. CMAS is the world's largest non-commercial diving federation and offers the most extensive dive training systems.
CMAS Underwater Photo Competition,run by the World Underwater Federation (CMAS), this international contest tests photographers' real-time shooting skills under strict rules — not artistic editing. Its key feature is "shoot on site, straight out of camera" with a sealed-camera process. It includes the World Championship and World Cup. Competitors form teams to represent their countries, competing in wide-angle, macro, and other categories. Judges score anonymously based on technique, composition, and subject presentation.
CMAS holds competitions in different countries or regions every year, encouraging divers to take part in national underwater photography activities and compete for the CMAS World Championship. DIVEVOLK, as a sponsor, provides high-value underwater equipment every year.
To sign up, please click the link below to visit the CMAS official website 👇
📌CMAS holds competitions in different countries and regions every year. Participants must first compete in their local regional competitions and win awards to qualify for the CMAS World Championship. For specific details, please check the CMAS official website.
