Dive in, shoot, and WIN!

UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST RULES

Portofino Marine Protected Area – From 01 May 2025 to 30 September 2025

1. COMPETITION CATEGORIES

Participants may compete in two categories:

Category 1 – “Portofino Blue: The Magic of the Protected Sea” – focused on the aesthetic and natural value of the marine heritage.

• Photos that enhance the beauty of the seabed in the Portofino Marine Protected Area.

• The shots should highlight the biodiversity, light, colours, and extraordinary marine life of the Portofino Promontory.

Category 2 – “SOS Sea: Warning Signs from the Deep” – focused on the human impact on the marine environment.

• Photos that document the human impact on the marine environment, including pollution, coral damage, lost fishing gear, and climate change.

• The goal is to raise awareness of the threats endangering the sea.

Participants may enter one or both categories. Each category will be divided into two groups: Compact/Action Cam and DSLR/Mirrorless (with interchangeable lenses).

2. PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

• The contest is open to photographers of any nationality and skill level, from amateurs to professionals.
• A valid scuba diving certification is required. Registration is free.
• The contest takes place in an “on location” format from 01 May 2025 to 30 September 2025.
• Photos must be taken within the Portofino Marine
• Protected Area during the contest period, exclusively while diving with Diving Group Portofino (from the Santa Margherita Ligure or Rapallo base).
• Photos must be unpublished and taken during the contest. Each contestant may submit a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 5 photos per category.

3. REGISTRATION PROCEDURE

• Registration takes place at the time of the first dive by filling in the form provided at the Diving Centre.
• Participants must register with the Diving Centre every time they go on a dive intended for the photo contest. This registration ensures all dives are properly tracked and that the photos taken during these dives are valid for the contest.
• Required Information: Participants must provide: full name, certification level, date and time of the dive, dive site (upon return), and signature.
• There is no limit to the number of dives a participant can carry out during the contest period.

By following these guidelines, participants can ensure their entries are valid and eligible for judging.

5. PHOTO TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND SUBMISSION

File format and size:

• File format: High-resolution JPEG + original RAW file
• Minimum resolution: 3000 px on the long side
• Colour space: Adobe RGB

Editing rules

The following post-processing actions are allowed:

• Adjustments to brightness, contrast, colour temperature, sharpness, and saturation

• Maximum 25% crop of the original image area

• Limited use of the clone stamp tool to remove minor imperfections
  The following are not allowed:

• Photomontages, image overlays, or generative AI use

• Modifications that alter the original scene (adding or removing elements)

• Use of artificial filters that distort natural colours

• Images with watermarks, signatures, or logos
  Multiple exposures are allowed only if supported by the camera and must produce a single RAW file.
  All submitted images must be accompanied by the original RAW file.

Submission method

Images must be sent via email (or WeTransfer, Google Drive, etc.) by 30/09/2025 to the following address: concorso@dgportofino.com

6. JURY AND EVALUATION CRITERIA

Photos will be evaluated by a jury composed of underwater photography experts, marine biologists, and representatives of the partner institutions.

JURY COMPOSITION:

• Jury President: Marcello Di Francesco – Photographer and Dive Instructor
• Judge: Lorenzo Merotto – Marine Biologist, Portofino MPA
• Judge: Alessandro Grasso – Photographer and Dive Instructor
• Judge: Massimo Zannini – Underwater Photographer
• Judge: Andrea Chiantore – Municipality of Santa Margherita Ligure

Evaluation criteria:

• Technical quality

• Composition and visual impact

• Creativity and originality

• Message conveyed and relevance to the category

• Respect for the marine environment and the photographed scene

The jury’s decision is final. It will take into account technical, naturalistic, artistic, and documentary aspects.
Photos with high naturalistic value but significant technical or artistic flaws may receive low scores. Excessive image alterations or post-processing that compromises the integrity of the shot will be penalised.

7. PRIZES AND RECOGNITIONS

The top 3 entries in each category will receive prizes such as:

• Trips, stays, dive vouchers, scuba gear, gadgets and merchandise offered by DIVING GROUP PORTOFINO, MARES, RED SEA DIVING & CRUISES, ORANGE SHARK MALTA, SINAI DIVE CLUB Sharm el Sheikh.
  Special mentions may be awarded for particularly meaningful images.

AWARD CEREMONY

The award ceremony will take place during the event “ECHI DAL MARE 2025”
On 15 November 2025 at 8:30 PM at the Auditorium of the Genoa Aquarium –
Porto Antico Area – Ponte Spinola, 16 – 16128 Genoa –

The presence of the authors at the award ceremony is appreciated. The organisers will inform all winners in advance with full details of the event.

NOTE:
Prizes not collected by the winners or their delegates will be shipped by cash on delivery, at the recipient’s expense.

8. ETHICS AND CODE OF CONDUCT

• It is strictly forbidden to disturb marine wildlife to capture a shot.
• Touching, moving, or damaging corals or any other marine life is not allowed.
• Photos that violate environmental protection regulations will be disqualified.
• Participants must comply with the Portofino MPA regulations (especially Articles 13–14).

9. COPYRIGHT AND IMAGE USAGE

The Organisers, in accordance with current copyright laws, assume that submitted works are free from third-party rights.
Participants declare they are the authors of the submitted images and hold all related usage rights.

• Participants authorise the Organisers and the Portofino MPA to use their images to promote the contest or in institutional materials, including posters, brochures, calendars, and digital publications, provided there is no commercial purpose.
• Images will always be credited with the author’s name.
• The Organisation will not use the images for commercial purposes without the author’s explicit consent.
• Any image purchase inquiries will be directed to the author.

PERSONAL DATA PROCESSING

• In compliance with EU Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR), the Organisation guarantees that collected data will be processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently, solely for contest management and communications related to the Organisation’s activities.
• Personal data provided by participants will be processed using paper and digital tools, with all necessary security measures in place to ensure confidentiality and protection. Data access will be restricted to authorised personnel only and will not be shared with third parties without explicit consent.
• Participants may exercise their rights under Articles 15–22 of the GDPR, including access, correction, deletion, and restriction of data processing, by contacting the Organisation via email or post.

CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

By registering and participating in the contest, participants accept these rules without reservation.
Submitted files and prints will not be returned and will be archived by the Organisation for exhibition and promotional purposes related to the contest.

10. DISQUALIFICATIONS AND PENALTIES

Images will be disqualified if they:

• Do not comply with post-production rules

• Were taken outside the indicated timeframe or area, or during dives not carried out with Diving Group Portofino

• Include intentionally manipulated, moved, or disturbed subjects

• Violate the ethical code of underwater photography

• Are not accompanied by the RAW file

11. SAFETY AND LIABILITY

• Each participant is responsible for their own safety during dives.
• The Organisation is not responsible for any accidents or damage to people or equipment.
• Participants must follow the safety rules of their training agency and the Portofino Marine Protected Area regulations.

12. ACCEPTANCE OF THE RULES

Participation in the contest implies full acceptance of these rules.

For information:
Email: concorso@dgportofino.com
Website: www.dgportofino.com
Phone: +39 3290916029 Marcello Di Francesco
    +39 3338296633 Cecilia Luconi