![In It To Win It](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/15543/522326/5f6ddd476dfda/Diving-Scuba-Diving-Deep-water-Dive-tourism-Conservation.jpg)
There are few better ways to improve your photography than absorbing inspiration from underwater imagery like the winners in this issue. While contests can occasionally bring out the worst in photographers, most of the time they have a positive impact. Competitions celebrate and encourage excellence, allow us to gauge our progress, and provide an independent assessment of greater value than social media likes. Successes massage our ego, and can lead to life-changing opportunities.
TIP 1 WHAT TO SHOOT
The most popular subjects for underwater photography are living creatures; any decent photo competition wants to promote the right kind of approach with wildlife. Do not take photos that involve stressing or moving animals. Common transgressions that judges disqualify are benthic species floating in the water column or creatures picked up and plonked on unnatural backgrounds. Even if judges let something slip through, you can suffer being named and shamed by your peers when the results are out. The message is simple—go about your photography in the right way.
Competition photos exist to wow people. These are usually photos with immediate impact: strong compositional shapes, clean backgrounds, rich colors and powerful contrast. Most contests demand RAW files for checking the validity of your entries, so make sure you are not wasting your time shooting JPGs.
Esta historia es de la edición September/October 2020 de Scuba Diving.
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Esta historia es de la edición September/October 2020 de Scuba Diving.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
![Readers Choice: Best Destinations For Photography](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/15543/522326/5f6de6362b357/crp_Underwater-photographer-Diving-Scuba-Diving-Deep-water-Dive-tourism-Conservation-Indonesia-Cayman-Islands-Bonaire-Cayman-Islands-Bay-Islands-Bahamas-Belize-Mexico-Turks-and-Caicos-Curacao-US-Virgin-Islands.jpg)
Readers Choice: Best Destinations For Photography
Species diversity, ideal in-water conditions and weird wonders earn these destinations top honors
![In It To Win It](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/15543/522326/5f6ddd476dfda/crp_Diving-Scuba-Diving-Deep-water-Dive-tourism-Conservation.jpg)
In It To Win It
Competition can help you improve your shots
![Freediver](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/15543/522326/5f6dd63ab08b2/crp_Freediving-Diving-Underwater-Diving-Dive-Divers-Scuba-Diving-Deep-water-Dive-tourism-Conservation.jpg)
Freediver
Breathing air from a tank isn’t the only way to explore beneath the waves.
![Divided Focus](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/15543/522326/5f6ddfcbc576c/crp_Underwater-Diving-Dive-Divers-Scuba-Diving-Deep-water-Dive-tourism-Conservation.jpg)
Divided Focus
Underwater, it’s vital to remember what’s really important
![A Studio In Your Hand](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/15543/522326/5f6ddb8827bf6/crp_Underwater-photographer-Diving-Scuba-Diving-Deep-water-Dive-tourism-Conservation.jpg)
A Studio In Your Hand
Video can bring non-divers into the underwater action
![Underwater photography – Do No Harm](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/15543/522326/5f6dd4adc64c7/crp_Underwater-photographer-Diving-Scuba-Diving-Deep-water-Dive-tourism-Conservation.jpg)
Underwater photography – Do No Harm
Tips for being an ethical underwater photographer
![Ask Dan – Decompression sickness](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/15543/522326/5f6de0d8c2c4c/crp_Scuba-dive-Decompression-sickness-Thermal-stress-Breathing-gas-Scuba-gear-Dive-travel-Dive-photos-Scuba-training-VertigoParalysis.jpg)
Ask Dan – Decompression sickness
How can I reduce my risk of decompression sickness?
![SOUTH FLORIDA](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/15543/522326/5f6de8d2289e5/crp_SOUTH-FLORIDA.jpg)
SOUTH FLORIDA
A smorgasbord of wrecks and reefs ensures you’ l l never run out of photo ops in these warm waters
![Sea Hero: JOHN WELLER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/15543/522326/5f6dd1cd552e5/crp_Sea-HeroJOHN-WELLER.jpg)
Sea Hero: JOHN WELLER
How one photographer’s mission to save the Ross Sea is bringing the planet together
![16 TH ANNUAL PHOTO COMPETITION: OUR SPONSORS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/15543/522326/5f6dd8a85954c/crp_OUR-SPONSORS.jpg)
16 TH ANNUAL PHOTO COMPETITION: OUR SPONSORS
What’s a contest without prizes? These generous donors—whose ranks include avid shooters like you—help make photographers’ dreams come true.