Be Inspired, Real Focus Judge 2026: Lilian Koh

Lilian Koh: The Art of Seeing Deeply

Part of the REAL FOCUS series The Ethical Lens: Meet the Professionals Redefining Ethics Below the Surface IIn a world awash with underwater images, Lilian Koh is a rare voice of stillness and clarity. A celebrated macro photographer from Singapore, Lilian made her pivot from banking to the sea after a single, life-altering snorkelling experience …

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Be Inspired, Traditional Macro: Patrick Neumann, Real Focus 2026

Lembeh Critters: The Best Guide to Muck Diving in Lembeh Strait

In the northeastern corner of Indonesia, the Lembeh Strait welcomes divers into a new world where critters are the main attraction. These rare, small, and often astonishingly camouflaged marine animals are the reason this region is known as the Critter Capital of the World. While other destinations boast coral walls and pelagic marine life, Lembeh offers …

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Gear - JCarey

GEAR: Thinking Outside the Box

Creative Optics, Diopters, and Unconventional Tools for Underwater Photography What’s in your gear bag? If you’re heading into a shootout like REAL FOCUS, chances are you’ve already packed your tried-and-true setup: your go-to macro lens, a few lights, and maybe a trusty diopter. But while technical mastery matters, creative vision often starts with what you …

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Anna's Culling Workflow

Anna’s Culling Workflow

With many years of underwater photography and post-processing experience, Anna Ewa Manzel—Assistant Manager at Solitude Lembeh Resort and Marketing & Communications – Europe—brings both technical insight and a collaborative spirit to the dive community. She began using Photoshop with version CS2 and is self-taught through numerous tutorials, now specialising in the post-processing aspect of the …

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Be Inspired, Real Focus Judge 2026: Imran Ahmad

Judging Criteria Overview

The competition emphasises a balanced approach, where technical skill, creativity, and most importantly, ethical conduct are taken into account. Each submission will be judged according to the following criteria: Ethical Integrity Priority on Ethical Behaviour: Judges will place a strong emphasis on ethical conduct. Images that demonstrate respect for the marine environment and its inhabitants …

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