1.1. The Real Focus: Underwater Photography Shootout 2026, partnered by Solitude World & Makrogehtimmer, promotes ethically responsible underwater photography while celebrating the natural beauty of marine life at Solitude Acacia Resort and Solitude Lembeh Resort.
1.2. The competition is open to guests staying at Solitude Acacia Resort or Solitude Lembeh Resort during the competition period, from February 15, 2026, to April 30, 2026. All entries, including unedited files, must be submitted before the conclusion of the guest’s stay/check-out.
1.3. Entrants must submit RAW, unedited images before departing the resort, and provide edited final versions of those same RAW files by May 31, 2026. These edited files will be judged.
1.4. All entries must comply with the ethical guidelines outlined below, which prioritise conservation, respect for marine life, and ethical photography practices.
2. ELIGIBILITY SECTION
2.1. Eligibility: Participants must be guests at Solitude Acacia Resort or Solitude Lembeh Resort for a minimum of 3 nights during the competition period to qualify.
2.2. Exclusions: Employees of Solitude World, Solitude Resorts, Solitude Liveaboards, Makrogehtimmer, as well as their immediate family members and anyone involved in the organisation or judging of the competition, are not eligible to participate.
3. GENERAL ETHICAL CONDUCT
3.1. Respect for Marine Life: Photographers must ensure that all animals are captured in their natural, undisturbed environments.
3.2. No Physical Interaction: Touching, moving, or handling marine life, corals, or plants is strictly prohibited.
3.3. Preserve Natural Behaviour: Images showing animals in states of stress or unnatural behaviour due to human interference will be disqualified.
3.4. Buoyancy Control: Photographers must demonstrate excellent buoyancy to avoid damaging marine life or reefs.
4. DIVE GUIDE INVOLVEMENT
4.1. Guide’s Role: Dive guides are allowed to help locate marine animals, but they must not assist with lighting, positioning, or altering the environment.
4.2. Organic Settings: The underwater environment should remain untouched—guides and photographers are prohibited from adjusting the surroundings to stage a shot.
5. ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
5.1. Zero Tolerance for Habitat Damage: Any disturbance to marine habitats (such as breaking corals or displacing organisms) will lead to immediate disqualification for that day’s submissions.
5.2. Avoid Artificial Manipulation: Baiting or using attractants to influence animal behaviour is prohibited.
5.3. Waste-Free Diving: Participants must leave no waste or equipment behind, ensuring the dive environment remains pristine.
6. PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDELINES
6.1. Self-Sufficiency: Photographers must handle all aspects of the shoot independently, including lighting. Dive guides may not assist with photography setups.
6.2. Submissions Limits: Participants may submit a maximum of five (5) RAW/UNEDITED images, each with one (1) corresponding EDITED image, per category.
6.3. RAW and Final Image Submission: Entrants must submit unedited RAW images before departing the resort. Edited versions of the same RAW files must be submitted by May 31, 2026.
6.4. Editing Flexibility: Participants may swap out their edited submissions until the final competition deadline on May 31, 2026. No changes can be made after that date.
7. DISQUALIFICATION AND REJOINING RULES
7.1. Disqualification for Manipulation: Any form of interference with marine life or the environment will result in immediate disqualification for the day. Photos taken that day will be ineligible for submission. However, participants may rejoin the competition the following day.
7.2. No Submission on Day of Disqualification: If disqualified, images from the day of the violation will not be eligible for the competition, but participants are permitted to re-enter the next day.
7.3. Disqualification for Failure to Meet Submission Guidelines: Entries that fail to adhere to the competition’s rules and submission guidelines, such as incorrect file formats, resolution issues, or late submissions, will be disqualified. Participants may continue to submit new entries for subsequent days, provided the guidelines are followed.
7.4.Disqualification for Excessive Post-Processing or Manipulation: Minor editing of images using imaging software is permitted, including adjustments such as colour and contrast enhancements, backscatter removal, cropping (up to 20%), minor flaw corrections, and background consolidation. Editing tools that maintain the integrity of the original scene, including AI-powered cloning and spot removal for backscatter and minor imperfections, are allowed due to their prevalent use in underwater photography. However, any editing that alters the main content of the image—such as moving or removing key subjects or adding foreign elements—is strictly prohibited.
AI Usage Prohibition: The use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) for image creation, enhancement, or manipulation beyond standard cloning and spot-removal tools (e.g., generative fill or content creation) is strictly forbidden in this competition. At REAL FOCUS, we emphasise traditional artistry and skill in underwater photography; thus, all images must be a product of conventional techniques without AI-generated content outside of minor cleanup.
Double Exposure: If allowed, double-exposure images are acceptable as long as they are created in-camera, underwater, and during the shootout period. The photographer must provide the raw files for both images as proof.
Any entries that violate these guidelines will be disqualified. This competition emphasises authentic photography, showcasing the natural beauty of the underwater world.
Any violations of these guidelines will result in disqualification of the entry. The competition emphasises ethical and authentic photography, reflecting the genuine beauty of the underwater world.
7.5. Disqualification for Plagiarism or Copyright Infringement: Any entry found to violate copyright laws or use unauthorised work will be disqualified and barred from further participation.
7.6. Misrepresentation: If a participant provides misleading information about the location, subject, or context in which the image was taken, their entry will be disqualified. They may be allowed to re-enter on subsequent days provided no further misrepresentation occurs.
7.7. Disqualification for Multiple Submissions of the Same Image: Submitting the same image to multiple categories will result in disqualification from all categories. Participants can rejoin the competition with new, unique images.
7.8. Disqualification for Unethical Photography Practices: Unethical practices, such as harming wildlife, damaging the environment, or engaging in unsafe driving practices, will result in disqualification for the day. Participants may rejoin the next day, provided no further violations occur.
7.9. Non-Compliance with Eligibility Requirements: Participants who fail to meet the eligibility criteria or provide false information will be disqualified. Depending on the severity of the issue, they may or may not be allowed to rejoin the competition.
7.10. Failure to Respond: If a winner does not respond to the notification email within the specified timeframe, their prize may be forfeited, and the entry disqualified. Participants may still compete in future categories if they comply with all rules.
8. COMPETITION SUPERVISION
8.1. Real-Time Monitoring: Referees will monitor participants to ensure all ethical rules are followed. Each participant will be given a number to wear for easy identification.
8.2. Reporting Violations: Participants are encouraged to report any observed violations. Ethical behaviour is fundamental to the competition.
9. JUDGING CRITERIA
9.1. Ethical Integrity: Adherence to ethical guidelines is the most important criterion in judging.
9.2. Creativity and Originality: Judges will assess unique perspectives and creativity in the approach to photography.
9.3. Technical Merit: Image quality, composition, and lighting are considered, but ethical practices take precedence.
9.4. Composition and Aesthetics: Images will be evaluated for their composition and visual appeal.
9.5. Impact: Judges will look for images that evoke emotion or leave a lasting impression.
10. IMAGE SPECIFICATIONS
10.1.File Submission: Participants must submit both unedited JPEG files and final edited JPEGs, with resolutions of at least 2700 pixels on the shortest side and file sizes between 2MB and 5MB. Each submitted RAW/UNEDITED image must have a corresponding EDITED version.
10.2. No Compositing or Heavy Editing: Images must not include composites, added/moved elements, or excessive alterations that misrepresent the original scene.
10.3. Captions: Each image must include a 25-word description explaining the location and context of the photograph.
10.4. Submission Limits: See 6.2. Submission Limits for category-specific submission requirements.
11. ENFORCEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY
11.1. Transparency: RAW files may be requested for verification to ensure adherence to the ethical guidelines.
11.2. Immediate Disqualification: Any breach of the competition’s guidelines will result in immediate disqualification, and images from the day in question will not be eligible for submission.
12. EDUCATIONAL FOCUS
12.1. Workshops on Ethical Photography: Solitude Resorts will offer workshops throughout the year to educate participants on ethical underwater photography and responsible diving practices.
13. PRIZES AND AWARDS
13.1. Prize Pool The prize pool boasts an incredible collection worth over USD$25,000—and that’s just the beginning! More thrilling prizes will be revealed as the event draws closer, so stay tuned for even greater surprises.
13.2. Categories and Main Prizes Prizes will be awarded across the following categories:
Best of Show USD$5000 voucher sponsored by Solitude Liveaboards and Resorts, redeemable for any Solitude Liveaboard and Resorts location or itinerary, excluding Tubbataha itineraries.
Traditional Macro
10-day stay for one person, including diving and nitrox, at Solitude Acacia Resort in Anilao, Philippines.
Creative Macro
10-day stay for one person, including diving and nitrox, at Solitude Lembeh Resort in the Lembeh Strait, Indonesia.
Blackwater Macro
7-day stay for one person, including diving and nitrox, at Solitude Acacia Resort in Anilao, Philippines.
Compact/Point & Shoot
7-day stay for one person, including diving and nitrox, at Solitude Lembeh Resort in the Lembeh Strait, Indonesia.
13.3. Prize Allocation Prizes will be distributed according to the category winners as determined by the judges.
13.4. Final Judgement All decisions regarding winners and prize allocation made by the judging panel are final and not subject to appeal.
13.5. Prize Substitution In the event a specific prize is unavailable, a substitute prize of equal or greater value may be provided at the discretion of the organisers.
13.6. Additional Terms
Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash unless explicitly stated.
Winners are responsible for any applicable taxes, duties, or shipping costs associated with their prizes.
14. CATEGORIES
14.1.Category Descriptions:
Best of Show: The best overall image across all categories.
Macro Traditional: Close-ups of marine life, focusing on natural colours and sharp details.
Macro Creative: Artistic, abstract, or experimental macro photography, using creative techniques and lighting.
Blackwater: Nighttime photography in open water, highlighting rare marine species.
Compact/Point & Shoot: Open theme, restricted to compact cameras.
14.2 Submission LImits: See 6.2. Submission Limits for category-specific submission requirements.
