Photo Contest Rules
SCORING CRITERIA :
1. Composition - Photo element setting (20%)
2. Technique - Photo shooting technique (20%)
3. Story - Photo storytelling (20%)
4. Lighting - The use of light elements in photography (20%)
5. Impact - Photo attractiveness (20%)
RULES & REGULATIONS :
1. All categories of photography contests at Thailand Dive Expo 2025 are open to photographers of all levels.
2. The committee and those involved in organizing this photo contest are not allowed to submit photos to the contest.
3. Contestants must be photographers of the submitted photos. It is strictly forbidden to submit photos taken by others or to submit photos on behalf of others.
4. Qualified images for this contest should not contain any copyright, logo, sign or watermark.
5. One contestant can submit photos in all categories (a maximum of 5 photos per category). However, if a submitted photo wins more than one category, the contestant will be awarded only the highest prize.
6. Photos submitted to the contest must be creative or conservation-focused and must not have a negative impact on marine animals and ecosystem.
7. Photos submitted to the contest must not have previously won awards in any other photo contests before the submission deadline. This includes photos with similar composition, photo sets taken at the same time, image composition changes (even slightly), image color changes to black and white and new image cropping. Qualified images are subject to the final consideration of the committee.
8. Photography of restricted areas or specific marine lives must comply with and receive approval by local laws as well as rules and regulations. The contestants are requested to submit licenses of the tour operator and yourself as a compulsory documentation for this contest. Failure to do so and/or fraud documents will lead to immediate disqualification.
9. The submitted photos must have been taken within the past 5 years from the closing date of application (must be taken after 22 April 2020).
10. Contestants must submit the original image (the image before any editing under the specified rules) along with the submitted image (in separate folders clearly labeled "Original Image"). In the event that the judging panel has any questions, they may request to view the original image.
11. Photo retouching
ALLOWED
1) Color temperature, brightness, contrast, dodge and burn, sharpening, saturation changes, tonal Adjustments and color balance.
2) Removal of backscatter, but not other elements.
3) Cropping of images is allowed, but the cropped image must not exceed 40% of the original file size. The file size of the cropped image must not be less than 3,000 x 4,000 pixels.
4) Any image editing beyond what is mentioned above is subject to the discretion of the judging panel.
NOT ALLOWED
1) Prohibition of Image Manipulation: It is strictly forbidden to delete, edit, or paste parts of other images into the same image.
2) No Double Exposures: The use of double exposures is not permitted.
3) AI-Powered Editing Restrictions: Image editing using AI programs to add or remove any image elements is prohibited. Any images found to have violated this rule will be immediately disqualified from the competition.
12. Winning images become the property of N.C.C. Management & Development Co., Ltd., as the organizer of “Thailand Dive Expo”. However, the copyright belongs to their respective photographers. The Organizer reserves the right to publish, and has authority to grant uses of those photos in printed and online/social media, including those of the alliances and supporters of this expo with objectives and benefits to promote its corporate image and marketing communication without any copyright fees to the photographers. The Organizer will inform the photographers of proposes, and give credit titles to them for use of the selected photos.
13. The submitted photos must be taken underwater only. Split shots (images that capture both above and below the water surface in the same frame) are allowed. However, images taken from the air (drones) and images taken above the water's surface are not eligible for submission.
14. By submitting photos to this contest, contestants acknowledge that they understand and agree to comply with the rules and regulations outlined above.
15. The decisions of the judging panel are considered final.
16. In the event that a contestant has a complaint regarding the judging decisions, the contestant may submit a petition within 3 days of the result announcement.
1. Composition - Photo element setting (20%)
2. Technique - Photo shooting technique (20%)
3. Story - Photo storytelling (20%)
4. Lighting - The use of light elements in photography (20%)
5. Impact - Photo attractiveness (20%)
RULES & REGULATIONS :
1. All categories of photography contests at Thailand Dive Expo 2025 are open to photographers of all levels.
2. The committee and those involved in organizing this photo contest are not allowed to submit photos to the contest.
3. Contestants must be photographers of the submitted photos. It is strictly forbidden to submit photos taken by others or to submit photos on behalf of others.
4. Qualified images for this contest should not contain any copyright, logo, sign or watermark.
5. One contestant can submit photos in all categories (a maximum of 5 photos per category). However, if a submitted photo wins more than one category, the contestant will be awarded only the highest prize.
6. Photos submitted to the contest must be creative or conservation-focused and must not have a negative impact on marine animals and ecosystem.
7. Photos submitted to the contest must not have previously won awards in any other photo contests before the submission deadline. This includes photos with similar composition, photo sets taken at the same time, image composition changes (even slightly), image color changes to black and white and new image cropping. Qualified images are subject to the final consideration of the committee.
8. Photography of restricted areas or specific marine lives must comply with and receive approval by local laws as well as rules and regulations. The contestants are requested to submit licenses of the tour operator and yourself as a compulsory documentation for this contest. Failure to do so and/or fraud documents will lead to immediate disqualification.
9. The submitted photos must have been taken within the past 5 years from the closing date of application (must be taken after 22 April 2020).
10. Contestants must submit the original image (the image before any editing under the specified rules) along with the submitted image (in separate folders clearly labeled "Original Image"). In the event that the judging panel has any questions, they may request to view the original image.
11. Photo retouching
ALLOWED
1) Color temperature, brightness, contrast, dodge and burn, sharpening, saturation changes, tonal Adjustments and color balance.
2) Removal of backscatter, but not other elements.
3) Cropping of images is allowed, but the cropped image must not exceed 40% of the original file size. The file size of the cropped image must not be less than 3,000 x 4,000 pixels.
4) Any image editing beyond what is mentioned above is subject to the discretion of the judging panel.
NOT ALLOWED
1) Prohibition of Image Manipulation: It is strictly forbidden to delete, edit, or paste parts of other images into the same image.
2) No Double Exposures: The use of double exposures is not permitted.
3) AI-Powered Editing Restrictions: Image editing using AI programs to add or remove any image elements is prohibited. Any images found to have violated this rule will be immediately disqualified from the competition.
12. Winning images become the property of N.C.C. Management & Development Co., Ltd., as the organizer of “Thailand Dive Expo”. However, the copyright belongs to their respective photographers. The Organizer reserves the right to publish, and has authority to grant uses of those photos in printed and online/social media, including those of the alliances and supporters of this expo with objectives and benefits to promote its corporate image and marketing communication without any copyright fees to the photographers. The Organizer will inform the photographers of proposes, and give credit titles to them for use of the selected photos.
13. The submitted photos must be taken underwater only. Split shots (images that capture both above and below the water surface in the same frame) are allowed. However, images taken from the air (drones) and images taken above the water's surface are not eligible for submission.
14. By submitting photos to this contest, contestants acknowledge that they understand and agree to comply with the rules and regulations outlined above.
15. The decisions of the judging panel are considered final.
16. In the event that a contestant has a complaint regarding the judging decisions, the contestant may submit a petition within 3 days of the result announcement.
Video Contest Rules
SCORING CRITERIA :
• Aesthetic - Beauty and artistic composition (40%)
• Technique - Videography techniques (20%)
• Impact - Interest, attractiveness and eye-catching appeal (20%)
• Storytelling - Conveying stories and content (10%)
• Creativity - Originality and creativity (10%)
CONTEST RULES :(Please read carefully)
1. TDEX Underwater Moment Video Contest 2025 is open to videographer of all levels.
2. NCC staffs (the "organizer"), the judging panel, and anyone involved in organizing the contest are not eligible to enter.
3. Entrants must be individuals or groups who have filmed the video themselves. Submitting videos filmed by others or submitting on behalf of others is strictly prohibited.
4. Submitted videos must be between 15 and 60 seconds long, with at least 50% of the footage underwater. Split-shot videos (showing both above and below water in the same frame) count toward the underwater footage requirement.
5. Submitted videos must not contain watermarks or any symbols indicating ownership or editing software/apps.
6. Each participant may submit up to three videos. However, if multiple submissions win, only the highest-ranking prize will be awarded.
7. Qualified entries must convey a positive conservation message and must not depict any actions that negatively impact marine life or ecosystems. Videographers must avoid portraying provocative violence or distress that could cause physical harm or psychological stress to the environment or marine life.
8. Submitted videos must NOT have won awards in any competitions prior to the final submission date of the TDEX Underwater Moment Video Contest 2025. (22 April 2025).
9. Videos filmed in restricted areas or featuring specific wildlife must comply with local laws, rules, and regulations.Contestants must provide valid permits or licenses from tour operators or themselves as essential documentation. Failure to provide these documents, or submission of fraudulent documents, will result in immediate disqualification.
10. The judging panel may request the original, unedited video or consecutive shots. Failure to provide the original footage within a specified timeframe may result in disqualification.
11. Editing is allowed, but the use of AI to create or remove video elements is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate disqualification.
12. All winning submissions become the property of N.C.C. Management & Development Ltd., the organizers of the Thailand Dive Expo. While creators retain copyright to their videos, the Organizer reserves the right to publish and has the authority to grant use of those videos on online/social media platforms, including those of the expo's allies and supporters. The purpose is to promote the Organizer's corporate image and marketing communication without paying copyright fees to the videographers. The Organizer will inform videographers of the intended uses and will credit them for the use of the selected videos.
13. By submitting an entry, contestants acknowledge and agree to comply with all rules and regulations outlined in this contest.
14. The decision of the contest committee is final.
15. In case of disputes regarding the final decision, a petition must be filed within three (3) days after the announcement.
• Aesthetic - Beauty and artistic composition (40%)
• Technique - Videography techniques (20%)
• Impact - Interest, attractiveness and eye-catching appeal (20%)
• Storytelling - Conveying stories and content (10%)
• Creativity - Originality and creativity (10%)
CONTEST RULES :(Please read carefully)
1. TDEX Underwater Moment Video Contest 2025 is open to videographer of all levels.
2. NCC staffs (the "organizer"), the judging panel, and anyone involved in organizing the contest are not eligible to enter.
3. Entrants must be individuals or groups who have filmed the video themselves. Submitting videos filmed by others or submitting on behalf of others is strictly prohibited.
4. Submitted videos must be between 15 and 60 seconds long, with at least 50% of the footage underwater. Split-shot videos (showing both above and below water in the same frame) count toward the underwater footage requirement.
5. Submitted videos must not contain watermarks or any symbols indicating ownership or editing software/apps.
6. Each participant may submit up to three videos. However, if multiple submissions win, only the highest-ranking prize will be awarded.
7. Qualified entries must convey a positive conservation message and must not depict any actions that negatively impact marine life or ecosystems. Videographers must avoid portraying provocative violence or distress that could cause physical harm or psychological stress to the environment or marine life.
8. Submitted videos must NOT have won awards in any competitions prior to the final submission date of the TDEX Underwater Moment Video Contest 2025. (22 April 2025).
9. Videos filmed in restricted areas or featuring specific wildlife must comply with local laws, rules, and regulations.Contestants must provide valid permits or licenses from tour operators or themselves as essential documentation. Failure to provide these documents, or submission of fraudulent documents, will result in immediate disqualification.
10. The judging panel may request the original, unedited video or consecutive shots. Failure to provide the original footage within a specified timeframe may result in disqualification.
11. Editing is allowed, but the use of AI to create or remove video elements is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate disqualification.
12. All winning submissions become the property of N.C.C. Management & Development Ltd., the organizers of the Thailand Dive Expo. While creators retain copyright to their videos, the Organizer reserves the right to publish and has the authority to grant use of those videos on online/social media platforms, including those of the expo's allies and supporters. The purpose is to promote the Organizer's corporate image and marketing communication without paying copyright fees to the videographers. The Organizer will inform videographers of the intended uses and will credit them for the use of the selected videos.
13. By submitting an entry, contestants acknowledge and agree to comply with all rules and regulations outlined in this contest.
14. The decision of the contest committee is final.
15. In case of disputes regarding the final decision, a petition must be filed within three (3) days after the announcement.
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