FAQs

REAL FOCUS is an underwater photography shootout created through a partnership between Solitude World and Makrogehtimmer.

Held at Solitude Acacia Resort in Anilao, Philippines, and Solitude Lembeh Resort in the Lembeh Strait, Indonesia, it celebrates creativity, ethical practice and authentic image-making. Participants are challenged to create powerful underwater images without manufacturing the moment.

The 2027 theme is HOW REAL ARE YOU?

It asks photographers to consider the honesty behind every image: how the encounter unfolded, how the photograph was created and how their presence affected the marine world.

Genuine moments. Honest choices. Authentic images.

To participate, entrants must be guests staying at either Solitude Acacia Resort or Solitude Lembeh Resort for a minimum of 3 nights during the competition period, from February 15, 2027 – April 30, 2027.

The shootout takes place at:

• Solitude Acacia Resort in Anilao, Philippines
• Solitude Lembeh Resort in the Lembeh Strait, Indonesia

The competition runs from 15 February to 30 April 2027. All entries must be captured during the participant’s qualifying stay at one of the participating resorts.

Yes. Every competition entry must include a completed dive data sheet supporting the ongoing three-year marine species observation study led by marine biologist Dr David Harasti.

The original image files and accompanying dive data must be submitted before the participant departs the resort.

To participate:

1. Book a minimum stay of three consecutive nights at Solitude Acacia Resort or Solitude Lembeh Resort between 15 February and 30 April 2027.
2. Complete the online REAL FOCUS registration.
3. Submit your final edited images through the official REAL FOCUS Submission Page by 31 May 2027.

Participants must stay for at least three consecutive nights at one of the participating resorts during the competition period. All submitted images must be captured during that qualifying stay.

For more details on booking your stay and registering for the shootout, please visit the REAL FOCUS registration page.

No. Stays at other resorts and images captured while diving with another operator do not qualify. Entries must be created through dives conducted as part of the participant’s qualifying stay at Solitude Acacia Resort or Solitude Lembeh Resort.

For more details on booking your stay and registering for the shootout, please visit the REAL FOCUS registration page.

Yes. To submit images from both locations, participants must complete a qualifying stay of at least three consecutive nights at each resort during the competition period.

For more details on booking your stay and registering for the shootout, please visit the REAL FOCUS registration page.

No. REAL FOCUS welcomes photographers at different stages of their journey, provided they meet the eligibility requirements and follow the competition rules.

No. These three categories are open to all eligible participants, regardless of experience, previous awards or camera system.

Newcomer is open to photographers using any camera system who have not won or placed in a recognised international photography competition and have not had an image published editorially in a print or digital publication.

Social media posts, reposts, personal websites and local photography club recognition do not disqualify an entrant. Newcomers may also enter the three open categories, but the same image cannot be entered in more than one category.

Eligible REAL FOCUS participants receive a 3SIXTY World benefit extending across Solitude Liveaboards and Resorts. This benefit is separate from the competition prizes and does not depend on winning.

Benefits are valid for twelve months and are subject to availability, eligibility requirements and the applicable 3SIXTY programme terms.

Before departure, participants must submit:

• The original unedited source files for any images they may enter
• Original RAW files where the camera produces them
• The accompanying dive data for each proposed entry

Only images captured during the qualifying stay and submitted before departure will be eligible.

Final edited images must be uploaded through the official REAL FOCUS Submission Page. Each final edited JPEG must correspond to an original source file submitted before departure.

Submit your images here: REAL FOCUS Submission Page

Each entry must include:

• One final edited JPEG
• One matching unedited JPEG created from the original source file
• All corresponding source files for an in-camera double or multiple exposure
• A caption of no more than 25 words identifying the location and explaining the context of the image

All submitted JPEGs, both edited and unedited, must be a minimum of 2700 pixels on the shortest side, with a file size between 2 MB and 5 MB.

Participants may submit a maximum of five final images per category. You do not need to submit five images.
The same image cannot be entered in more than one category.

Yes. Final edited submissions may be revised or replaced until the submission deadline, provided the corresponding original source file was submitted before departure.

New source images cannot be added after departure, and no changes may be made after the final deadline.

Final edited images must be uploaded to the official REAL FOCUS Submission Page by 31 May 2027.

New source images cannot be added after departure, and no changes may be made after the final deadline.

Permitted adjustments include:

• Reasonable cropping
• Global exposure, colour, white balance and contrast adjustments
• Noise reduction and sharpening
• Sensor spot removal
• Limited backscatter removal

Editing should refine the photograph without changing the subject, environment or truth of the original scene.

The following are not permitted:

• Adding, removing, moving or replacing subjects or environmental elements
• Composites or digitally assembled scenes
• Generative AI or generative fill
• Content-aware fill
• Object replacement or background alteration
• Post-processing focus stacking or exposure blending
• Any alteration that misrepresents how the original scene appeared

AI-powered tools may only be used for limited clean-up, such as sensor spot or backscatter removal. They must not generate, reconstruct or materially alter image content.

Yes. Creative lighting, optics, intentional movement, reflections and other in-camera techniques may be used.

Double or multiple exposures are only permitted in Macro Creative. They must be created in-camera, underwater and during the participant’s qualifying stay. All corresponding source files must be submitted for verification.

REAL FOCUS has four entry categories:

• Macro Traditional
  Macro images presenting marine life naturally, with emphasis on detail, behaviour, habitat and authentic representation.
• Macro Creative
  Macro images created through original composition, lighting, optics or permitted in-camera techniques.
• Blackwater
  Images captured during night dives in open water, featuring pelagic, larval or other blackwater subjects.
• Newcomer
  An open-theme category for eligible newcomers using any camera system.

Macro Traditional, Macro Creative and Blackwater are open to all eligible participants. They are not Advanced or Pro divisions. For more details visit the Theme & Categories page.

No. Best of Show is an overall award selected by the judging panel from all eligible entries across the four categories. Participants cannot enter it separately.

No. Each image may only be entered in one category.

Different edits, crops or interpretations created from the same original source image are still considered the same image and cannot be entered in separate categories.

Only eligible final images will proceed to judging. Images will be assessed for:

• Ethical integrity and authentic image-making
• Creativity and originality
• Technical execution
• Composition
• Visual impact
• Storytelling

Yes. Judges will not receive the photographer’s name or other identifying participant information while evaluating the images.

No. Dive data does not influence artistic scoring, but it must be complete and accurate for the entry to remain eligible.

Participants must photograph marine life in its natural environment without interference. Subjects must not be touched, moved, baited, chased, blocked, trapped or placed for the purpose of creating an image.

Surroundings must not be rearranged, and photographers must maintain safe buoyancy and avoid damaging or leaving equipment in the marine environment.

Yes. Dive guides may assist with safety, navigation, locating subjects and species identification.

They may not position a subject, alter the surroundings, hold or aim lights or snoots, or direct the creation of the photograph. The photographer remains responsible for the camera, lighting, buoyancy, composition, timing and approach.

Participants must not request or accept assistance that breaches these rules.

Examples include:

• Touching, moving or handling marine life
• Poking, prodding or using objects to direct or reveal a subject
• Baiting, feeding, chasing, blocking or trapping an animal
• Moving rocks, coral, plants, debris or other surroundings
• Continuing to photograph a subject showing signs of distress
• Asking a guide or another person to manipulate the subject or scene
• Damaging the habitat through poor buoyancy or unsafe diving behaviour

The organisers will review the circumstances and available evidence. An entry or participant found to have breached the rules may be disqualified. Any action taken will reflect the nature and severity of the violation.

Yes. Suspected violations should be reported promptly and in good faith to an appointed resort team member or competition representative. The organisers will determine whether further review or action is required.

Ethical photography protects marine life, preserves natural behaviour and ensures that every image reflects an authentic encounter. It also creates a fair competition in which patience, observation and photographic skill shape the final image.

REAL FOCUS connects underwater photography with an ongoing three-year marine species observation study led by marine biologist Dr David Harasti.

The study combines images, dive data and participant-recorded observations. Over time, the collected information may reveal patterns in species presence, abundance, habitat use, environmental conditions and observed behaviour across Anilao and Lembeh.

The data sheet will request basic observational details associated with the image, such as:

• Dive site
• Depth
• Water temperature
• Observed species
• Abundance
• Behaviour
• Relevant environmental conditions

The required form and completion guidance will be provided during the participant’s stay.

No. Participants only need to record honest, firsthand observations from the dive. The form is designed to be straightforward and does not require scientific analysis.

Dr David Harasti is a marine biologist specialising in marine species behaviour and conservation. He leads the scientific component of REAL FOCUS and the review and analysis of participant data.

Participant observations will contribute to a combined research dataset examining species presence, behaviour and environmental conditions at the two participating locations.

The findings may support scientific research, conservation understanding and future educational resources.

Yes. Prizes and recognition will be awarded across the four entry categories, together with the overall Best of Show award.

Confirmed prizes and sponsors will be announced and maintained on the official REAL FOCUS Prizes page.

Category winners and Best of Show will be determined by the judging panel. All judging and prize-allocation decisions are final.

Winners will be contacted using the details provided during registration and announced through official REAL FOCUS channels.

Yes, participants are eligible to win multiple prizes if they submit entries across different categories and those entries meet the judging criteria for each respective prize.

If a prize becomes unavailable, the organisers or prize sponsor may provide a substitute of equal or greater value.

Prize collection or delivery arrangements will be coordinated with each winner. Winners are responsible for any taxes, duties, delivery, travel or other costs not specifically included with the prize.

The winner must respond within the timeframe stated in the official prize notification. If no response is received, the prize may be forfeited and awarded to another eligible entrant.

Photographers retain copyright in their images. By entering, participants permit REAL FOCUS, Solitude World, Solitude Liveaboards and Resorts, Makrogehtimmer and confirmed competition sponsors to use their final submitted images for judging, results, reporting and the promotion of current and future REAL FOCUS activities.

Photographer credit will be included where reasonably practical. Any use unrelated to REAL FOCUS or its promotion will require separate permission.

For complete details, including permitted cropping, reformatting and incorporation into promotional designs, please refer to Section 15.2 of the Rules and Conditions.

Final edited images must be submitted through the official REAL FOCUS Submission Page by 31 May 2027.

Submit your images here: REAL FOCUS Submission Page.

For additional assistance or inquiries, you can also visit our Contact Us page or realfocus@solitude.world

Contact the Solitude World team as soon as possible:

Email: realfocus.support@solitude.world

You may also use the Contact Us page on the Solitude World website or realfocus@solitude.world

Please provide:

• A screenshot of any error message, where possible
• Your full name
• The email address used for your REAL FOCUS registration
• The participating resort and dates of your qualifying stay
• The affected image or file name
• A brief description of the problem

No. Email, Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer and other third-party submissions will not be accepted unless the organisers provide written instructions for an alternative method following a verified technical issue.

Report the issue immediately and, where possible, before the submission deadline. Reporting a technical issue does not automatically extend the deadline or confirm that a late entry will be accepted.

The organisers will review the circumstances and advise whether an alternative submission method is available.

Speak with an appointed resort team member or competition representative before checking out. Source files and accompanying dive data must be submitted before departure for the images to remain eligible.

When sharing your REAL FOCUS experience, please use:

• #RealFocus2027
• #HowRealAreYou
• #SolitudeWorld
• #makrogehtimmer
• #EthicalUnderwaterPhotography

When relevant, you may also use:

• #SolitudeAcaciaResort
• #SolitudeLembehResort

Additional category, sponsor and winner hashtags may be shared through official REAL FOCUS channels.

Competition dates, deadlines, sponsors, prizes and other announcements will be maintained on the relevant REAL FOCUS website pages and shared through official Solitude World channels.

The complete eligibility, submission, ethical, editing, judging and prize requirements are available on the Rules and Conditions page. If information in the FAQs differs from the Rules and Conditions, the Rules and Conditions will apply.

For questions about registration, eligibility, image submission, participating resorts or the science study, contact the Solitude World team:

• Email: realfocus@solitude.world
• Or visit our Contact Us page

We’re here to help make your experience seamless, inspiring, and informed—every step of the way.