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PHOTOGRAPHY (OCEANS)

Earth in Focus Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year
Awards of Excellence

BLUE MIND

Category Code: BMG

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This award honours the profound insights of Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, whose seminal work Blue Mind reveals how water positively influences our emotional and cognitive wellbeing. This category seeks a visual narrative that captures the deep connection between humanity and the ocean, whether near, in, on, or beneath it.

 

We invite photographers to submit a portfolio of three images that collectively express the joy, serenity, and vitality that water brings to our lives. This is your opportunity to celebrate the power of the ocean to heal, connect, and inspire.

Prizes

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  • Winner – Accommodation and dive package at the award-winning Bunaken Oasis Resort + Ocean Geographic Gold Pin + a digital laurel + a certificate + a trophy

  • Runner-Up – Award of Merit Certificate + $500 Expedition Voucher

  • Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony held in Singapore on Friday, 31 October 2025 and prizes will be given out in person.

  • Any postage/shipping costs related to the prizes are to be borne by the winners.

  • Winners are expected to arrange their own travel and accommodation to the festival at their own expense.

  • Shortlisted finalist photographs will be exhibited physically before, during and after the festival for a month or more at various locations around Singapore to be determined.

Submission Guidelines

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For the Oceans: Blue Mind category, each submission must be a portfolio of 3 images showcasing marine life or ecosystems from three perspectives: near the ocean, above the ocean, and underwater. The submission fee for this category is USD 20 per portfolio.

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  • Submit a portfolio of 3 images. This can be a mix of near water, above water, and underwater photos, or all from one environment.

  • Each photo must include an element of human connection to the ocean—literal or metaphorical.

  • Images must be renamed using the following format:
    BMG-<FirstInitial><LastName>-01/02/03
    Example: BMG-JSmith-01

  • Images previously awarded first place in any other competition are not eligible.

  • Submit images as high-quality JPEGs (Photoshop level 12, Adobe RGB 1998, 1920px longest side).

  • Post-processing is allowed using Photoshop or equivalent software (no AI-assisted tools). Images must remain truthful to the original scene. Allowed edits include:

  • Cropping (max 35% of original)

  • Dust spot removal

  • Contrast, levels, saturation, and sharpening (in moderation)

  • Neutral density gradients and vignette removal
    Composites, backscatter removal, or removing/adding subjects are strictly not permitted. 

  • Finalists will be asked to submit:

  • High-res TIFF (8-bit, 300ppi, Adobe RGB 1998)

  • Camera RAW or original JPEG

  • Extended captions

ENDANGERED MARINE ANIMALS

Dr. Sylvia Earle Award of Excellence

This prestigious category pays tribute to legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle and aims to spotlight Earth’s most threatened marine species. According to the IUCN Red List, over 37% of sharks and rays, 33% of reef-building corals, and 26% of marine mammals face extinction. Your images can give these voiceless creatures a powerful platform.

Submissions must feature a marine animal officially listed as RE, CR, EN, VU, LR/cd, or NT/LR on the IUCN Red List.

This is your chance to raise awareness and ignite change through the art of photography or videography.

Prizes

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  • Winner – A 10-day expedition to the Antarctic or Arctic aboard the MV Sylvia Earle, courtesy of Aurora Expeditions + Ocean Geographic Gold Pin + a digital laurel + a certificate + a trophy

  • Runner-Up – Award of Merit Certificate + $500 Expedition Voucher

  • Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony held in Singapore on Friday, 31 October 2025 and prizes will be given out in person.

  • Any postage/shipping costs related to the prizes are to be borne by the winners.

  • Winners are expected to arrange their own travel and accommodation to the festival at their own expense.

  • Shortlisted finalist photographs will be exhibited physically before, during and after the festival for a month or more at various locations around Singapore to be determined.

Submission Guidelines

​

For the Oceans: Endangered Marine Animal category, each submission must be a portfolio of 6 images showcasing marine life or ecosystems from three perspectives: near the ocean, above the ocean, and underwater. The submission fee for this category is USD 20 per portfolio.

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  • Featured animals must be listed in the IUCN RED LIST under one of the following categories:
    RE, CR, EN, VU, LR/cd, or NT/LR

  • A photo portfolio of 6 images featuring one species (or multiple endangered species)

  • Rename files using the format:
    EMA-<FirstInitial><LastName>-01/02/etc.
    Example: EMA-JSmith-01

  • Entries must not have won first place in any other competition.

  • Photo submissions must be JPEGs (Photoshop level 12, Adobe RGB 1998, 1920px longest side).
    Video submissions should be in MP4, MOV, or native HD 2K/4K, with an accompanying story treatment (Word Doc).

  • Post-processing rules for photos are the same as the Blue Mind category (see above). At least 65% of the footage must be underwater. 

  • Finalists must submit:

  • High-res TIFF (8-bit, 300ppi, Adobe RGB 1998)

  • Camera RAW or original JPEG

  • Extended captions

JURY

Michael Aw(1)_edited.jpg
Michael Aw
456_edited.jpg
Dr. Sylvia Earle
JP Profile Pic.jpeg
Jayaprakash Bojan
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