A monthly hotshot is an entry that was shortlisted by 2 or more judges. The monthly winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd and Runner Ups) are chosen from this short list by our editor (no medals, just your name in the lights for a month!). They are chosen according to the number of judges votes with some reference to the peoples votes and the editor’s choice. It is no coincidence that many of the Hotshots end up in the annual awards!
To get a chance to feature your photo in next month’s winners, enter your best underwater photo here.
The monthly winners for August have been announced. Thank you all for entering and Congratulations to the winners and runners up!
Check out August’s well deserved winners:
1st Place:
An over/under of a bluebottle (physalia physalis) I love how the pneumatophore (air bladder) of this bluebottle caught the light from my underwater strobe and lit up like a fluorescent tube!! Amazing!
Editor’s Comment:
This is a clear winner, due to the perfect balanced lighting used here, matching the scene and the subject in every aspect. Stunning shot!
In Category: Over/Under (shots half topside, half U/W) | Taken in: Australia
Nikon D300S
Full Profile
2nd Place:
great encounter on the Silver Banks
Editor’s Comment:
Getting close to this giant with a fisheye lens is already a recipe for a fantastic image, the angle selected showing the sun beams and the eye contact with the whale makes it a winner.
In Category: Wide Angle – Divers | Taken in: Dominican Republic
Michael Weberberger, born 1968 in Leoben.
I had my first diving experiences in 1990 in Thailand. After a longer break due to starting a family, I decided to pick it up again in 2002 and took the diving license on Elba, Italy. Further courses were pursued up to the title of a Rescue Diver.I started to photograph in 2005, equipped with an Olympus c5050 purely to capture holiday impressions. After a tiger shark expedition in 2009 I decided to purchase a DSLR camera and since then I am heavily involved in underwater photography.
My biggest passion is (cage-) free shark diving
Full Profile
3rd Place:
Night diving on the Full Moon
Editor’s Comment:
This double exposure feels so natural, your almost think it’s real, or at least wish it was! Very cool manipulation.
In Category: Creative – Manipulated (Photoshopped) | Taken in: Indonesia
Canon 50D Ikelite housing and strobes, Wakatobi is favorite place to dive.
Full Profile
Runner Up:
Ghostpipe´s eye
Editor’s Comment:
Very precise focus for such a small subject. You have to appreciate the patience required to capture such an image! The colors are great as well.
In Category: Macro – Super macro | Taken in: Philippines
I’am a diver since 14 years and a u/w photographer since 10 years.
Full Profile
Runner Up:
“Dream on”
Editor’s Comment:
Excellent colors and a surreal setting. Almost feels like outer-space.
In Category: Wide Angle – Divers | Taken in: Palau
I’m a fulltime underwater videographer/photographer work on liveaboard in Indonesia.
Full Profile
Runner Up:
Eye decoration (old Green turtle eye – Chelonia mydas)
Editor’s Comment:
It takes a moment to understand what’s going on here. This is a perfect example for shooting large objects with close-up lenses to produce un-orthodox images.
In Category: Macro – not swimming | Taken in: Ecuador
I have started taking photos in 2005 in Malaysia with a small compact camera in one hand and a big torch in the other one … good memories.
After having used a Canon G9 (2008-2010) with satisfaction, I use a Nikon D7000 with different lenses and two Subtronic pro160 strobes from April 2011.
Full Profile
Need advice on underwater photography gear?
Contact us at Mozaik Underwater Cameras. We also provide an online chat service almost 24/7 to answer almost any question regarding cameras, housings, strobes, lights, accessories and more…
I am originally a web developer and programmer and specialize in Internet marketing.
In the past 20 years, I dived in many places: Red Sea, Mediterranean, Thailand, The Maldives, Florida, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos and others.. I was lucky enough to dive with all the latest equipment, that includes high end compacts, Mirrorless, DSLR's, almost every strobe in the market and many different lenses and accessories.
I helped and advised thousands of underwater photographers from beginners to the most professional.
- Apr/May 2023 – UW Photo Contest Winners - May 7, 2023
- June 2022 – UW Photo Contest Winners - July 22, 2022
- May 2022 – UW Photo Contest Winners - July 22, 2022
