Creativity is seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what no one else has thought.
– Albert Einstein
In this section, we present Be Inspired —a collection of images carefully selected to illustrate the essence of each competition category. These visual examples are not a blueprint but a guide, here to spark your imagination, provide clarity, and help you understand the distinctions between categories.
Each image reflects one interpretation of the theme and category it represents, offering insight into how a subject can be approached or framed. However, creativity thrives on individuality, and your unique perspective is what will make your images truly stand out. These examples are meant to inspire, not confine, and we encourage you to break the mould, reimagine possibilities, and interpret the categories in ways that resonate with your vision.
Whether you find inspiration in the intricacy of macro life, the expansive drama of a seascape, or the interaction between light and movement, let these examples guide your understanding—but always stay true to your own style. This is your chance to create something new, something bold, something only YOU can imagine.
Remember, the real magic lies in your ability to see the ocean through your lens and share its story in a way that only you can tell. Now, let’s dive into these examples and fuel your journey of inspiration!
The Categories
Macro Traditional
This category celebrates the classic beauty of close-up photography, focusing on sharp details, natural colours, and fine textures. Participants should capture marine life in a way that brings out its intricate details, textures, and unique characteristics. Examples might include portraits of small fish, crustaceans, and other marine creatures in their natural environment. The goal is to create an image that is both scientifically accurate and artistically compelling, allowing viewers to appreciate the tiny marvels of underwater life up close.
Macro Creative
This category invites photographers to push boundaries, using innovative techniques and experimental approaches to capture marine life with a twist. Think outside the box with unusual lighting, intentional motion blur, reflections, and abstract compositions that convey an artistic, interpretive vision of the underwater world. The focus is on expressing creativity while staying true to the marine environment, resulting in images that captivate the imagination and offer a fresh perspective on familiar subjects.
Blackwater
Blackwater photography captures the mystery and magic of the open ocean at night, where rare and otherworldly marine species emerge from the depths. This category highlights images of pelagic species and unusual creatures often seen only in deep or nighttime dives. Think of translucent animals, bioluminescent critters, and delicate larvae. These images should emphasise the uniqueness of blackwater subjects and reveal their fascinating forms, textures, and often ethereal glow against the inky blackness of the open water.
Compact/Point & Shoot
Open to compact cameras, this category encourages participants to make the most of their equipment, demonstrating skill and creativity within the limitations of point-and-shoot technology. This is an open theme, allowing for a range of styles and subjects, from macro to wide-angle shots, as long as the camera used falls within the compact category. Participants are encouraged to explore diverse subjects, focusing on compelling compositions, unique perspectives, and storytelling that make the most of the compact camera’s capabilities.
