Macro

Images that are usually of very small subjects, in which the size of the subject in the photograph is greater than life size. So enter your close up, reverse ring macro and supermacro to this category.

Wide Angle

Dedicated to images featuring a wide-angle composition and/or captured with a wide-angle lens. From reefscape, split shots, wrecks, reef with models or freediver should be submitted to this category.

Portfolio

Category is for photographers showing their versatility in the field. You must have four different variation (4) images for your Portfolio. For example, a combination of wide angle, macro, model and creative images.

Compact Cameras

Images taken with a compact camera/GoPro (does not include any camera with interchangeable lens and mirrorless cameras). Wide angle adapters, macro diopter or wet lens are allowed in this category.

Creative

This is where YOUR creativity takes over. However, it must have relevance to the Ocean. Photoshop or any other editing tool is permitted.

Free Diving (NEW)

Images that features a free diver captured along with marine species or engaged in free diving-action. The photographer can be a scuba diver or a free diver.

3min Video

The theme for the video is open. However it must be relevant to the ocean and its inhabitants. 70% of the video must be shot, underwater. The duration of the video is 3 min inclusive of credits and heading.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

PROCEDURE FOR ENTRY & IMAGES SUBMISSION:
  1. Read the Rules & Regulations carefully.
  2. Submit the online Entry Form below.
  3. Then proceed to make payment.
  4. Submit your photos according to the submission guidelines below.
VIDEO SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
  1. Create a folder with your name.
  2. Save your Video in .mpg file
  3. Captions – Each video must include two (2) sentences. 1st sentence should describe the island location, dive site, and species/subject matter. 2nd sentence should be a title and a brief illustration related to the video. All caption to be in word doc and limit to 50 words only.

ie: “Bahamas – Tiger Beach – Tiger Sharks” (Insert Creative Title) – “Dancing with the Sharks” (the explanation should be informative and meaningful) – “Divers gather in a circle on the sandy bottom at 20 metres where a shark handler feeds these impressive sharks, skilfully positioning them to allow underwater photographers to get memorable shots. Lemon sharks, Caribbean reef sharks and nurse sharks usually join the feeding frenzy.”

  1. Upload your video via Wetransfer to lbo@mide.com.my.
  2. All file must be minimum of 300mb only. Higher Resolution Video will be required, once selected for the final round.
  3. Cover image of the video must be submitted along with the video. The cover image must be minimum of 1MB.
  4. Compress the folder to ZIP file.
  5. Submit to: Online Submission Form
DEADLINE :
Start Date: 15 Sept 2019 
Closing date to participate 1st Nov 2020 at 23:59 hours
PARTICIPATING TERMS & CONDITIONS :
  1. All submitted images MUST be taken by said photographer entering the competition.
  2. The competition is open to participant of all ages.
  3. Each participant to submit one (1) photo only for each category except for Portfolio Category.
  4. For Portfolio category each participant to submit nothing less or more than four (4) photos. No repeat images from other categories are allowed.
  5. Photographers retain all copyrights to their images. The Organizer and all titles under its name retain the right to publish the contest entries to congratulate the Winners and to promote future events for three (3) years and will not be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such use in any media now or hereafter known, without restriction, including commercially using it to the fullest extent possible in the dive expo and conference.
  6. By entering the MIDE “LENS BEYOND OCEAN” Photo Competition, participants represents, acknowledges and warrants that the submitted photograph is an original work created solely by the participants, that the photograph does not infringe on the copyrights, trademarks, moral rights, rights of privacy/publicity or intellectual property rights of any person or entity, and that no other party has any right, title, claim or interest in the photograph.
  7. Divers should never endanger or stress and marine life for a photo. Any entries suspected of the following actions will be automatically disqualified: – Divers seen damaging the environment such as kicking up the sand, touching the corals and marine life and dragging of gear. – Animals moved to an unnatural environment or risky location. – Feeding of animals with artificial food. – Divers displaying poor control of buoyancy. – Animals with signs of distress caused by the photographer.
  8. Images that have been published before in any competition and/or media may not be submitted. Participants will also agree that the images may not be used for other competition or media without prior written consent from the organizer of this photo competition.
  9. Photoshop manipulation for all categories is limited to (except for Creative category): – Minimal Tonal corrections and color corrections (no dodging/burning allowed). (RAW files may required if verification is needed) – Moderate sharpening and saturation (but blurring of backgrounds is not allowed). – Cropping, only 10% of the original image is allowed. Submissions which have obviously been heavily cropped will be disqualified. (RAW files may require if verification is needed).
  10. All images need to have been taken underwater and half/split shots are allowed.
  11. Photos must not have watermarks or any distinguishing marks or names on them so the judges can evaluate them fairly.
  12. Entries submitted must be taken by a digital camera.
  13. Model release is strictly the responsibility of the copyright holder/photographer.
  14. The organizer reserves the right to remove any images which are deemed inappropriate at any time during the competition.
  15. Once photos submitted and payment made, and in the event participant has a change of mind and or photos submitted and payment made before and after deadline, there will be strictly no refund.
  16. If paid twice, there will be no refund for extra payment. The extra payment will be carried forward for the following year’s competition.
IMAGE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
  1. Create a folder with your name. Save your images (as per your label example: Macro_Peter_1_shark_Sipadan.jpg)
  2. All file must be minimum of 1MB. Higher Resolution images will be required, once selected for the final round.
  3. Captions – Each image must include a title and two (2) sentences. 1st sentence should describe the island location/ dive site, and species/subject matter. 2nd sentence should be a brief illustration that relates to the image. All caption to be save in a word document and limit to 50 words for each image.

(Insert Creative Title)    “Curious Batfish”.

(the explanation should be informative and meaningful) –

“The Pinnatus Batfish is commonly referred to as the Dusky Batfish or Red-Faced Batfish in Lembeh Island.

They are usually found in shallow protected coastal waters”.

  1. Compress the folder to ZIP file and submit online. Each ZIP file must not be more than 5MB. For total file size more than 5mb, please email or WeTransfer to lbo@mide.com.my. For video submission, please use WeTransfer and send to lbo@mide.com.my.
PARTICIPATION FEE :
MYR 50.00 per registration (For Malaysian) USD 30.00 per registration (For International)
GENERAL :
  1. Employees of the Organizer/Sponsors and their immediate family members (parents, spouse, children, siblings and their respective spouses) and persons living in the same households of such individuals (whether or not related), AEE/MIDE Staff are not eligible to enter or win a prize.
  2. All submitted work “MUST” be in digital format. No printed photos will be entertained. Organizer will not accept any post or parcel which requires payment upon arrival.
  3. All images must be accompanied by a completed form which is signed by participant and payment made.
  4. Any images that was showcased previously at MIDE will not be considered.
  5. Organizer will not be held responsible for any files that are corrupted or damaged resulting from the transfer to OUR server.
  6. Competition starts at 15 Sept 2019 end at 23:59 on 1st Nov 2020. Any images submitted before or after this period of time will be automatically disqualified.
  7. The Organizers reserve the right to change the competition rules at any point of time.
SHORTLISTED & WINNERS GUIDELINES:
  1. Shortlisted entries will be judged by a panel of judges selected by the Organizer. The judges’ decision is final.
  2. Only 1st placing for category will be awarded as winning photos. Winners have to produce their Identity Card/Passport to claim the prizes. Failure to do so will result in automatic disqualification. Winner for Portfolio category will be interviewed by Editor of X-ray Magazine.
  3. If winners are unable to attend or collect their prizes during the MIDE show, winners are responsible to arrange own collection of prize (product) at their own costs (i.e courier is suggested).
  4. Other photos selected by our Panel of Judges will be given credit-mention as MEMORABLE PICTURE.
  5. The winning photos will be displayed prominently at MIDE venue, Website and Facebook pages.
  6. The results will be published at LBO website and Facebook page.
  7. BEST OF SHOW– One (1) best picture will be selected from the best of all categories to be utilized to promote into publication/advertisement of MIDE worldwide.