Do you love capturing the magic of the underwater world? Is your camera always by your side, ready to snap those breathtaking moments beneath the surface? If you’re passionate about both diving and photography, there’s an exciting opportunity waiting for you!
PADI is proud to sponsor the “Up & Coming” category at UPY, the prestigious Underwater Photography of the Year competition in 2025. This globally recognized contest invites photographers from around the world, whether you’re a seasoned pro or an enthusiastic hobbyist, to showcase their best underwater shots.
The competition embraces images from a variety of underwater environments, including oceans, rivers, lakes, or even swimming pools. And with PADI supporting the Up & Coming category, this is an incredible chance for emerging talents to get noticed.
Why Enter the Up & Coming Category?
This special category is perfect for photographers who are still carving out their niche in the underwater photography scene.
The Up & Coming category at UPY is for you, if you:
- Haven’t yet won a major international competition,
- Don’t regularly have your work featured in paid publications,
- And aren’t a brand ambassador for underwater equipment.
Any camera is eligible! Whether you shoot with an action camera, compact device, or even a smartphone, you can submit your work. This category opens the door to endless creative possibilities, with images ranging from wide-angle shots to close-up macro photography. The judges are always on the lookout for something fresh, imaginative, and unique, so don’t be afraid to get creative with your underwater explorations.
A Glimpse into Last Year’s Winners
For some inspiration, take a look at last year’s Up & Coming category winner, Lisa Stengel, whose photograph “Window of Opportunity” beautifully captured a mahi mahi hunting a sardine in a bait ball. Her incredible image is a reminder of the beauty and drama happening beneath the surface, and it earned her the top spot in this competitive category.
About the Underwater Photography of the Year (UPY)
Since its inception in 2015, the UPY competition has become one of the most important global contests in the world of underwater photography. With over 6,500 submissions for 13 different categories in 2024, it continues to attract stunning entries from photographers worldwide. The competition is covered by major media outlets, offering winners incredible exposure.
With Dr Alexander Mustard, Peter Rowlands and Tobias Friedrich, UPY has three internationally renowned judges. Over a few days, together they will assess, discuss and choose the winners of all the submitted entries.
Enhance Your Skills with the PADI Digital Underwater Photographer Specialty Course
If you’re an amateur photographer looking to refine your underwater photography skills, the PADI Digital Underwater Photographer Specialty course is the perfect next step. This course is designed to teach you how to capture the beauty and detail of the underwater world.
You’ll learn the basics of underwater photography, including how to use your camera in a water environment, how to compose stunning shots, and how to edit your photos for maximum impact. You’ll also gain hands-on experience during dives, helping you practice and perfect your technique.
Not only will this course improve the quality of your photos, but it will also give you the confidence to submit your best shots to competitions like the UPY in the Up & Coming category. With new skills and a deeper understanding of underwater photography, you’ll be better equipped to create standout images that could capture the attention of judges.
How to Enter UPY 2025
The competition opens on November 1, 2024, and you’ll have until January 4, 2025 to submit your best shots. Entering is simple – just fill out the registration form and upload your images. And if you capture an even better shot during the competition window, you can update your submission. You find the competition rules here.
Judging takes place soon after the competition closes, and winners will be announced in mid-February 2025. There are fantastic prizes to be won, along with the recognition that comes with securing a title in such a prestigious competition.
So, if you’re ready to put your underwater photography skills to the test, don’t miss out on this opportunity. Dive deep, get creative, and submit your photos!
Good luck to all the participants in the PADI-sponsored Up & Coming category and the other 12 categories in the UPY 2025 competition.
The image featured at the top of this blog article was photographed by Alex Dawson / UPY2024.
