News
Ocean Art Announces the Winners of a Special “Safe Under the Sea” Underwater Photo Contest

The prestigious Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition, organized by the Underwater Photography Guide, has announced the winners of a special Ocean Art “Safe Under the Sea” underwater photography contest.
Despite the adversity we all face today, the “Safe Under the Sea” contest has been a way to bring people from around the world together to dust off old hard drives, share the beauty of our oceans, and help aid the WHO and CDC Foundation in their fight to improve the health of the planet and its people. These photos showcase some incredible perspectives in a time when perspective is key. Although it was a smaller, mid-year competition, the selection of winning photographs has been no less powerful.
Winning photos can be seen at the Underwater Photography Guide at www.uwphotographyguide.com/ocean-art-safe-under-the-seawinners
The judging for Ocean Art “Safe Under the Sea” was carried out a little differently this time. The staff of the Underwater Photography Guide were given the honor of selecting the best images from a very competitive field. It was no easy task. The Best of Show winning image conveys a special message of hope for the future of our planet’s unique biodiversity.
The photo, “Releasing Hope”, captured by accomplished photographer Edwar Herreno, shows marine biologist, Eduardo Espinosa, releasing a tagged hammerhead pup in order to study a unique shark nursery. It is efforts like this that will allow underwater photographers to continue to produce amazing images for years to come.
Other extraordinary winning images include raw, dramatic underwater moments with magnificent creatures, rare marine life behavior, stunning portraits of miniature worlds, curious pinnipeds, eerie shipwrecks, strange critters, and many photos that showcase the prevailing beauty of our underwater world. The judges evaluated thousands of entries from 79 countries before selecting the final set of images as Ocean Art winners.
Ocean Art would like to extend a special, heartfelt thanks to the sponsors of the “Safe Under the Sea” competition. Given the current economic climate, sponsoring the competition speaks to these organizations’ dedication to underwater photographers around the world.
Top prizes included more than a few gift certificates from Bluewater Photo and Bluewater Travel, a $500 gift certificate as well as an Ikelite DS161 strobe from Ikelite, the new Paralenz Vaquita dive camera from Paralenz, a 5 day dive package with AquaMarine Diving Bali and the Watergarden Hotel, a Sea Dragon 3000F Auto Photo/Video light from Sealife, and a trip for one at Atlantis Dive Resorts! Twelve different categories ensured a competitive contest for all levels and disciplines of underwater photography.
The quality of in this competition was just exceptional, and it is just a sneak peak of the biggest underwater photography contest of the year – Ocean Art 2020 (to be announced in September, 2020). As a result of everyone’s efforts, the Underwater Photography Guide was able to donate 25% of the proceeds, translating to thousands of dollars, to the WHO and CDC in their fight against Covid-19. Bluewater Photo and Travel owner and Underwater Photography Guide publisher, Scott Gietler commented, “The images from this special competition, especially the winning conservation image, represent hope. Hope for our oceans, hope for our travel & dive industries ravaged by Coronavirus, and hope that our nations can come together.”
For more information about Underwater Photography Guide please visit the website by clicking here.
Competitions
WIN a Bigblue Expandable Tray!!!

For this week’s competition, we’ve teamed up with our good friends at Liquid Sports to give away a Bigblue Expandable Tray as a prize!!!
The Bigblue expandable tray (176mm-287mm) has fittings and screws to attach action and compact cameras. The base and handles are made from high grade aluminium with the handles having a neoprene grip. The package also includes clamps and adaptors for 1” ball and YS light fittings.
To be in with a chance of winning this awesome prize, all you have to do is answer the following question:
In a recent post on Scubaverse.com (which you can read here), we reported that the Handicapped Scuba Association South Africa has announced plans to host their 6th Annual fundraising event “HSASA 50hr Dive–A-Thon 2021” this year. But on what dates will the event take place?
Is it:
- A) 15th – 17th October
- B) 22nd – 24th October
- C) 29th – 31st October
Answer, A, B or C to the question above:
Dive Training Blogs
Jeff chats to… Jim Elliott and Tinamarie Hernandez of Diveheart (Watch Video)

In this exclusive Zoom interview, Jeff Goodman, Scubaverse Editor-at-Large, chats to Jim Elliott, Founder and President of Diveheart, and Tinamarie Hernandez who is the organization’s Executive Director.
Diveheart is a US-based, nonprofit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization which aims to provide and support educational scuba diving programs that are open to any child, adult or veteran with a disability, with the hope of providing both physical and psychological therapeutic value to that person.
In their own words:
We’ve discovered the forgiving, weightless wonder of the water column provides the perfect gravity-free environment for those who might otherwise struggle on land. Underwater, we’re all equal.
Diveheart works with individuals who have a variety of disabilities, including physical and developmental disabilities, vision and hearing impairments, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and more. Diveheart seeks to help its participants “Imagine the Possibilities” in their lives.
Find out more about Diveheart and their valuable work at www.diveheart.org.
Rather listen to a podcast? Listen to the audio HERE on the new Scubaverse podcast channel at Anchor FM.
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