Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year NEW CATEGORY

This is your opportunity to harness your creativity for climate action. The ocean holds 60 times more carbon than the atmosphere and absorbs nearly 31% of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from human activities, which would otherwise trap heat and raise global temperatures. This makes the ocean essential for understanding the global carbon cycle and, consequently, our future climate.

BLUE CARBON Portfolio – UNDERWATER LEGENDS AWARD of Excellence
BLUE CARBON Vision (Video) – UNDERWATER LEGENDS AWARD of Excellence

These prestigious awards will be presented at the BLUE ECO-SUMMIT during the BLUE WATER EDUFEST, from November 7 to 9, 2024, in Singapore.

Join us in highlighting the critical role of the ocean in climate regulation. Submit your work and contribute to raising awareness and inspiring action for a sustainable future.

The winner of this category will be included in the selection of the 2024 OGPICOTY MASTER OF COMPETITION Award to win an expedition to the Arctic on the MV Sylvia Earle by Aurora Expeditions.

1. Submit a portfolio of 3 pictures. Maximum 2 portfolios. Each picture must be renamed in the following manner: category code BC – competitor first name initial, complete last name. Eg: BC-JSmith-01, BC-JSmith-02, BC-JSmith-03. BC-JSmith-04, BC-JSmith-05, BC-JSmith-06. Images not named correctly by including category code will not be included in judging.

2. The portfolio of images must illustrate blue carbon/carbon captured by ocean ecosystems which includes – Carbon absorbed by aquatic plants, algae, and phytoplankton, Carbon stored in the bodies of living ocean animals, carbon sequestered in deep-sea sediments.

3. Pictures for this category must be captured after 1 January 2020.

4. The participant must ensure that at the time of entry, his/her submission must not be a first-place winner of any category in any competition.

5. This category is opened for submissions on 10 June 2024 and the last day for submission is 28 September 2024

6. Portfolio must be submitted online as JPEGs, saved at a high-quality level (level 12 in Photoshop, Adobe (1998) colour space) and must be 1920 pixels on the longest dimension.

7. Once the organiser announces the finalists (Date to be advised) , competitors must be able to supply a high-resolution file, TIFF, 8-bit, Adobe RGB (1998) colour space at 300ppi and extended captions by (exact date to be advised)

8. At submission of the TIFF files, the competitor must also supply a camera RAW file or original JPEG. Image Exif data must remain intact in jpeg, tiff and RAW submission.

9. Digital processing is permitted but the final image must remain truthful to the original occurrence. The image must not misinterpret the reality of the ocean. Editing is limited to cropping (no more than 35% of the original image), levels, contrast adjustment and sharpening; The RAW/original files of the images must also be included in the final submission. The judges will refer to the original or RAW files for verification. The following digital adjustments are permitted: removal of sensor dust spots, saturation (in moderation), sharpening in moderation, neutral density gradient in moderation and removing lens vignetting. The following is strictly prohibited: composite or sandwich shots, and removal of backscatter, animals, plants, people and distractions.

10. Entry fees – one portfolio – USD 10. Two portfolios – USD 15

Additional Important Terms and Conditions refer: https://ogpicoty.ogsociety.org/terms-and-conditions

The winner of this category will be included in the selection of the 2024 OGPICOTY MASTER OF COMPETITION Award to win an expedition to the Arctic on the MV Sylvia Earle by Aurora Expeditions.

1. Submit a 60-second video—maximum 2 videos.

2. Video may be in landscape or portrait format in H264, mov or avi format. Initial Submission must be sent by wetransfer or mailbigfile to picoty@ogsociety.org. HD or 4k is preferred. A picture – screen grab or still image of the production must be submitted online. This image should be named with the file name format eg BC-JSmith-01-name of the movie

3. The 60” video should be narrated with text to promote/illustrate the importance of blue carbon/carbon captured by ocean ecosystems, including Carbon absorbed by aquatic plants, algae, and phytoplankton, Carbon stored in the bodies of living ocean animals, and carbon sequestered in deep-sea sediments.

4. This category is opened for submissions on 10 June 2024 and the last day for submission is 28 September 2024

5. The participants must be the owner or have the right to use the footage and music used in the video.

6. Entry fees – one video – USD 10. Two videos – USD 15

Additional Important Terms and Conditions refer: https://ogpicoty.ogsociety.org/terms-and-conditions

Blue Carbon Definition
Blue carbon refers to carbon dioxide that is absorbed from the atmosphere and stored in the ocean. “Blue” refers to the watery nature of this storage. The vast majority of blue carbon is carbon dioxide that has dissolved directly into the ocean.
*Blue Carbon References

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/bluecarbon.html
https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/understanding-blue-carbon
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/whales-and-carbon-sequestration-can-whales-store-carbon