Terms & Conditions
1. Competition Overview
1. The Ocean Geographic Pictures of the Year Competition (OG PICOTY) is positioned as one of the world’s most influential underwater and ocean-focused imaging competitions, judged by internationally celebrated ocean photographers, filmmakers, and visual storytellers.
2. The Competition encourages innovation, originality, and creative excellence, with the aim of raising and redefining global standards in underwater and ocean imagery.
3. The Competition is open to professional, amateur, and emerging photographers and filmmakers worldwide.
4. A core objective of OG PICOTY is to celebrate the beauty of the ocean while advancing awareness of marine conservation and environmental responsibility.
5. The Competition is owned and organised by OceanNEnvironment Ltd (ONE) and Ocean Geographic Society (OGS), publisher of Ocean Geographic.
6. Across all categories, originality, creativity, and ethical practice are strongly encouraged.
2. Agreement to Terms
1. All entrants must read, understand, and agree to these Competition Terms & Conditions prior to submission.
2. Submission of any entry constitutes full acceptance of all Competition rules, guidelines, and requirements.
3. Any entry found to be in breach of these Terms & Conditions will be disqualified.
4. No refunds or allowances will be provided in the event of disqualification, and any prizes awarded will be forfeited.
5. The decisions of the organiser and judging panels are final and binding. No correspondence or negotiation will be entered into.
3. Eligibility & Entry Period
1. All submitted images must have been captured on or after 1 January 2021, unless otherwise specified under individual categories.
2. At the time of entry, submitted images must not have won First Place in any category of any other competition.
3. The Competition opens for submissions on 8 January 2026.
4. The final submission deadline is 28 March 2026.
Early Bird Incentive
Entrants who register by 28 January 2026 may submit 10 additional images at no extra cost, for a total of 30 images.
4. Submission Limits & File Naming
1. Each entrant may submit a maximum of:
20 images, or
30 images for Early Bird registrants.
2. After 28 January 2026, entries may be upgraded to include an additional 10 images (additional fee applies).
3. File Naming Format (Mandatory):
CategoryCode–FirstInitialLastName–ImageNumber
Example: CRW-JSmith-01
4. Images not named correctly will not be judged.
5. Category Codes
AB, BW, CP, CV, FB, MAP, OGN, ONE, HO, OGP, PA, PO, CRW, SXA, MOV, BLW, OWD
6. Category Entry Limits
Maximum 5 images per category for: PO, FB, AB, CRW, SXA, CV, HO, OWD, BLW, ONE
Colour Prints (CP): Maximum 2 images
Black & White Prints (BW): Maximum 2 images
7. Print Categories (CP & BW)
1. Digital files must be submitted online.
2. Physical prints must be sent by post or courier to the official addresses.
3. Recommended print sizes:
A3+: 329 × 483 mm (13″ × 19″)
A3: 297 × 420 mm (11.7″ × 16.5″)
4. Optional printing service is available at additional cost.
8. Portfolio & Special Categories
David Doubilet Master Portfolio Award (PA)
One portfolio of 10 images
One submission per entrant
Emerging Photographer Award (OGN)
One portfolio of 3 images
One submission per entrant
9. Video Categories
Vision of the Sea Movie (MOV)
One feature film (over 20 minutes)
One short film (under 20 minutes)
Formats: H264, MOV, AVI
Initial submission via WeTransfer or MailBigFile to picoty@ogsociety.org
A representative still image must be submitted online
10. Ocean Geographic Photo-Journalist Award (OGP)
One first-person story (800–1500 words)
Up to 10 supporting images
Entrant must be both writer and photographer
11. Image Capture Restrictions
1. Images from aquariums, oceanariums, marine parks, or captive environments are not permitted.
2. Images must be captured underwater, in coastal waters, lakes, or the open ocean.
3. Black & white images are permitted only in BW, CV, and PA categories.
12. Digital Processing & Ethics
1. Digital editing is permitted but must remain truthful to the original scene.
2. Permitted adjustments include:
Cropping (maximum 35%)
Levels and contrast
Sharpening (moderate)
Dust spot removal
Saturation (moderate)
Neutral density gradients
Lens vignette correction
3. Strictly prohibited:
Composite or sandwich images
AI-assisted editing
Removal of backscatter, animals, plants, people, or environmental elements
4. Judges may request RAW/original files for verification at any stage.
13. Endangered Marine Animals Category (EMA)
1. Subjects must be listed on the IUCN Red List
(RE, CR, EN, VU, NT/LR).
2. Submit either:
One portfolio of 6 images, or
One 30–60 second video
3. Maximum 2 portfolios or 2 videos per entrant.
4. Capture date must be after 1 January 2015.
5. AI-assisted editing is not permitted.
14. Smartphone Pictures & Videos (SMP)
1. All images/videos must be captured and edited using a smartphone.
2. Use of Waterproof housing required.
3. Submit:
One portfolio of 5 images, or
One 30–60 second portrait-format video
4. Capture date must be after 1 January 2023.
5. Finalists must supply original “as-shot” files with intact EXIF data.
15. Ethical Conduct & Environmental Responsibility
1. Duplicate or similar images may not be entered into multiple categories.
2. Baiting or feeding animals is prohibited.
3. Entrants must not cause harm, stress, or habitat damage to marine life.
4. Scientific or conservation-relevant techniques must be fully disclosed.
16. Copyright & Usage Rights
1. Copyright remains with the creator.
2. Entrants grant Ocean Geographic a non-exclusive, irrevocable licence to reproduce awarded works worldwide for Competition-related promotion and exhibitions.
3. Winning works may be used for up to 28 months for promotional purposes.
4. Non-winning entries will be deleted after winner announcement.
17. Judging Process
1. Preliminary judging by the Ocean Geographic Editorial Board and invited experts.
2. Final judging by Honouree Judges.
3. All judging is anonymous.
4. Judges may reassign images to more appropriate categories.
5. Awards may include:
Award of Outstanding Achievement
Runner-up
Highly Commended
Special Mention
Merit of Excellence
6. Judges may withhold awards if standards are not met.
18. Prizes & Recognition
1. Winners will be notified following final judging.
2. Awards may include certificates, equipment, travel prizes, and cash.
3. Winning works will be published in Ocean Geographic and online.
4. Commercial use beyond Competition promotion will require prior consent.
19. Organiser Contact Details
Postal:
PO Box 2138, Carlingford Court, NSW 2118, Australia
Courier:
2A Cary Street, Baulkham Hills, NSW 2153, Australia
Email: picoty@ogsociety.org