Submission Process
To participate in the Real Focus: Underwater Photography Shootout 2026, participants must follow a two-step submission process:
- Unedited Files: Before departing the resort (either Solitude Acacia Resort or Solitude Lembeh Resort), participants are required to submit the unedited RAW files of their selected images. This ensures authenticity and compliance with ethical guidelines.
- Edited Final Images: Participants must upload the final, edited versions of these same RAW files by the final submission deadline on 31 May 2026. Only these edited files will be judged.
The Judging Process
After the submission due date, all judges will gather on location at either Solitude Acacia Resort or Solitude Lembeh Resort to begin reviewing the submitted images. The judging process involves several rounds, ensuring that each image is given thorough consideration before the winners are determined.
In the early rounds, judges will assess each image to determine if it meets the competition’s ethical guidelines and quality standards. Those that qualify will proceed to subsequent rounds, with fewer images advancing after each review.
As the competition progresses, the judges will narrow down the entries to the last 10 images in each category, which will be designated as the semi-finalists. These semi-finalists will move on to the final round, where judges will engage in detailed discussions to select the final place-getters for each category.
Evaluation Criteria:
The judges will evaluate the images based on the following criteria:
- Ethical Integrity: Does the image adhere to the competition’s ethical standards, particularly regarding the treatment of marine life and the environment?
- Creativity and Originality: How unique and creative is the photographer’s approach? Does the image offer a fresh perspective?
- Technical Excellence: How well are technical aspects such as composition, lighting, sharpness, and exposure managed?
- Composition and Aesthetics: Is the image well-composed and visually balanced? How effectively are the elements in the frame arranged to tell a story?
- Impact: Does the image evoke a strong emotional response or leave a lasting impression?
The final round will conclude with the judges selecting the winners based on these criteria, ensuring that the images chosen not only excel technically but also align with the competition’s commitment to ethical underwater photography.