The Real Focus Shootout is far more than a photography competition—it’s an immersive journey that celebrates artistry, marine conservation, and community. At its heart lies a dedicated team whose expertise and passion shape every aspect of the experience. From guiding divers to the perfect underwater scenes to ensuring the competition’s integrity, each member plays a vital role in fostering creativity and protecting the marine environment.
The Field Experts
- The Dive Guides
- The Rangers
The Judges
Together, these professionals create an environment where photographers can thrive, marine ecosystems are respected, and the competition maintains its high standards. With their dedication and expertise, the Real Focus Shootout transcends the boundaries of a typical contest, becoming a celebration of the ocean’s wonders and the meaningful stories captured beneath the waves.
The Field Experts
The Dive Guides
Dive guides are not only there to keep you safe underwater, but they also have an incredible ability to point out the marine life you might otherwise miss. In most settings, they can be brilliant photography assistants, helping you get that perfect shot.
However, in the Real Focus Underwater Photography Shootout, their role is different. While they will still guide you through the dive and help spot the amazing creatures of the ocean, they will not assist in positioning the animals, holding snoots, or helping with lighting setups. The focus of this competition is on capturing images through your own skills and maintaining the natural behaviour of marine life. Our dive guides will ensure you stay safe while leaving the creative and technical aspects of photography entirely in your hands.
The Rangers
In the Real Focus Underwater Photography Shootout, ethical behaviour is just as important as the images themselves. Our team of dedicated Rangers/Referees will keep a close eye underwater, ensuring that all participants adhere to the highest standards of responsible diving and photography.
These vigilant professionals are passionate advocates for responsible diving and photography practices. They will oversee the competition to ensure that no marine life is disturbed and that all images are captured with respect for the environment. Their role is to monitor and guide participants, making sure that the competition remains fair, ethical, and in harmony with the natural world beneath the waves.
Meet the Judges
Dr. Georg Nies HEAD OF JURY, Germany
Dr. Georg Nies is a distinguished marine biologist and passionate underwater photographer with over 35 years of experience capturing the wonders beneath the ocean’s surface. His work embodies a fusion of scientific accuracy and artistic vision, using photography to reveal the intricate beauty and diversity of marine life. As head of the Real Focus Solitude World & Makrogehtimmer Underwater Photography Shootout jury, he brings invaluable expertise in marine ecosystems and an unwavering commitment to ethical photography practices that aim to preserve marine environments for future generations.
Dr. Nies studied marine biology in Kiel, Germany, and earned his doctorate in limnology from the Max Planck Institute in Plön. His deep-seated passion for the underwater world has fueled his global travels, leading workshops and seminars from Mexico and Egypt to the Maldives, Indonesia, Argentina, South Africa, and Norway. Known for his engaging lectures at trade fairs, he also regularly contributes his photos to various publications.
In Germany, Dr. Nies operates GeNies GmbH, a company representing SEACAM products under the brand “UWF.” Through this platform, he shares his profound knowledge with fellow underwater photographers, fostering a community dedicated to understanding and protecting the underwater world.
Imran Ahmad, Malaysia
Imran Ahmad is a renowned professional underwater photographer and the founder of ESCAPEINC Asia, a platform dedicated to capturing breathtaking underwater and nature photography throughout Asia. With a career spanning over two decades, he is celebrated for his dramatic lighting techniques and dynamic compositions, which bring the underwater world’s hidden wonders to life. His work has been featured in numerous international publications, and he is a sought-after speaker and educator within the underwater photography community.
Imran’s unique style, particularly his experimental approach with light and motion, has earned him a distinct reputation in the field. Over the course of 26 years, he has captured the beauty of life both above and below the water’s surface.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Filmmaking from Middlesex University and serves as an ambassador for brands such as SEACAM, BLANCPAIN, MARES, NIKON, DAN Insurance, and RGBlue Lights (Japan). As a member of the Ocean Artist Society, Imran contributes to the broader photography community through teaching, conducting photo workshops, and judging prestigious photography competitions worldwide. His workshops focus on conservation, underwater photography, travel, and commercial projects, and he leads photo dive trips around the globe.
When not in the field, Imran runs ESCAPEINC ASIA, a comprehensive SEACAM and underwater photography showroom located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, alongside his wife, Debbie, and daughter, Izabel. The showroom provides professional photography solutions to clients across Asia.
Lilian Koh , Singapore
Lilian Koh, hailing from Singapore, embarked on her underwater journey in 2000 after a mesmerising snorkelling encounter with manta rays on the Great Barrier Reef. This profound experience ignited her passion for scuba diving and underwater photography, leading her to explore the ocean’s hidden treasures.
Specialising in macro photography, Lilian has an exceptional ability to capture the intricate beauty of the ocean’s tiniest inhabitants. Her innovative techniques, such as the use of snoots and creative lighting, have earned her numerous accolades. Notably, she secured first place in the Portrait category at the Underwater Photographer of the Year 2020 contest with her captivating image titled “Butterfly Effect.”
In 2023, Lilian’s photograph “Fish Eats Fish,” depicting a lizardfish attempting to consume a grouper, won first place in the Underwater Life category at the Siena International Photo Awards. This striking image highlights her talent for capturing rare and compelling underwater moments.
Beyond her achievements, Lilian is dedicated to sharing her expertise through underwater photography workshops in locations like Bali and the Philippines. Her commitment to education reflects her desire to inspire others to appreciate and protect marine ecosystems.
Lilian’s work continues to inspire and educate, blending artistic vision with technical skill to reveal the ocean’s hidden wonders.
Dr. Alex Tattersall, United Kingdom
Dr Alex Tattersall, based in the UK, is a highly accomplished underwater photographer, educator, and advocate for marine conservation. As the founder of Underwater Visions, the UK importer and distributor of the renowned Nauticam range of underwater photography equipment, Alex has played a pivotal role in shaping the underwater imaging community in the region.
Driven by an unrelenting enthusiasm for creatively capturing the underwater world, Alex is known for his innovative techniques and unique photographic style. His passion extends beyond his own artistry, as he dedicates much of his time to teaching underwater photography workshops across the globe. These workshops inspire photographers of all skill levels to hone their craft while developing a deeper connection with the marine environment.
Alex is also a vocal advocate for marine animal welfare, promoting ethical practices within the growing field of underwater photography. His commitment to fostering awareness and respect for marine life has earned him recognition as a leading figure in the industry.
As a judge for the REAL FOCUS UW Shootout 2026, Alex brings not only his wealth of technical expertise but also his dedication to ethical storytelling, ensuring the competition highlights both artistic excellence and responsible interactions with the ocean’s inhabitants.
Ram Yoro, The Philippines
Ram is a scuba instructor, technical diver, and multi-published underwater photographer based in the Philippines. Renowned for his expertise and pioneering spirit, he is credited as a trailblazer in Bonfire Diving, a unique night diving technique. Ram is also the co-author of the celebrated books Guide to Anilao and Legends Beneath the Waves: Philippines, which have become invaluable resources for divers and marine enthusiasts. His breathtaking imagery has graced the pages of numerous print and online publications, including the heritage book Philippine Coral Reefs and the international compilation Black is the New Blue Vol. 2.
As the resident photographer for the Filipino Cave Divers and the Philtech Dive Team, Ram ventures into some of the most challenging underwater environments, exploring intricate cave systems, historic shipwrecks, and flourishing green reefs in the region. His deep passion for the underwater world fuels his commitment to capturing its beauty and sharing its stories.
Beyond his explorations, Ram is an influential figure in the dive industry. He conducts photo and video workshops, inspiring the next generation of underwater storytellers, and frequently speaks at conferences and events, sharing his experiences and expertise. A respected judge in both local and international photography competitions, he plays a key role in elevating the standard of underwater imagery on a global scale.
Whether diving into the depths of uncharted caves or mentoring aspiring photographers, Ram’s work embodies his dedication to exploring, documenting, and protecting the underwater world.
View more inspirational images from the Judicators in The Gallery!