KEY RULES SUMMARY

• Photo submission — online, on the website uwp-award.ru
• Photos taken anywhere in the world are allowed.
• Photos created no more than 10 years prior to the start of the submission period are eligible.
• Number of photos per Author - 10
• Individuals aged 18 and over may participate. No citizenship restrictions.
• File requirements: JPG, minimum 2500 pixels on the long side, sRGB color space.
• You may submit only photos of which you are the Author.
• All rights remain with the Authors.
• By submitting a photo, you grant permission to use it solely for the purpose of informing about the Competition.
• Participation in the Competition is free.

COMPETITION STAGES

• Start of submission period: December 14, 2025, 00:00:00 (Moscow time)
• End of submission period: January 11, 2026, 23:59:59 (Moscow time)
• Jury work, determination of Winners: January 12, 2026 – February 14, 2026
• Request for RAW and full-size files: January 26, 2026 – February 1, 2026
• Expert verification: February 2026
• Notification of finalists: February 2026
• Award ceremony and results announcement: February 21, 2026

ATTENTION!

Please read the text of these Competition Rules (Public Offer) carefully. If you do not agree with any point of the Rules, you have the right not to accept the services provided by the Organizer. Registration of a Participant on the Competition website means that the Participant agrees with all terms of these Rules (Public Offer). Registration of a Participant on this site constitutes acceptance of these Competition Rules.

1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.1. Photo submission is carried out online, via the official Competition website.

1.2. Individuals aged 18 and over are eligible to participate, regardless of citizenship.

1.3. The Author may submit only those photographs for which they are the Author.

1.4. Photographs violating the ethical principles of nature photography are not accepted.

1.5. Images created using AI generation, as well as composite works, are prohibited.

2. PHOTO REQUIREMENTS

2.1. Photographs taken within the last 10 years in any water bodies worldwide are allowed. Photography in aquariums and containment centers is not accepted.

2.2. Exception: for nominations dedicated to Russia, only images taken within the territory of Russia are accepted.

2.3. Photographs that have already been winners of major international competitions are not accepted.

2.4. Technical requirements for files:

format: JPG

size: minimum 2560 px on the long side

color space: sRGB

2.5. In case a photograph is shortlisted, the Author is obliged to provide:

a full-size RAW file to verify compliance with the rules;

for mobile nominations, the original file without RAW is acceptable.

2.6. Image processing is allowed only if it does not distort the realistic picture of nature and does not lead to a significant change in impression compared to the original shot.

2.7. Photographs must not contain watermarks, copyright symbols, signatures, logos, or other extraneous elements; the use of frames is not allowed.

3. NUMBER OF ENTRIES

3.1. Basic participation in the Competition is completely free.

3.2. Each Author can upload up to 10 photographs.

4. AWARDING THE WINNERS

4.1. Prizes are provided for each nomination of the Competition. Their list is updated as partners are confirmed and is published on the Competition website.

4.2. The Competition results are announced at the official ceremony within the Moscow Dive Show, where the prizes are also awarded.

4.3. The date and time of the event are communicated to participants via email and published on the website.

4.4. If a Winner or Laureate cannot attend the ceremony, the prize may be sent by mail to the address provided during registration or transferred by another agreed method. Delivery is made only within the territory of Russia.

4.5. Prizes are issued upon confirmation of identity and signing of the transfer act.

4.6. The Organizer does not compensate for expenses related to attending the ceremony (travel, accommodation, meals). These costs are borne by the participant independently.

4.7. The quality of prizes is governed by the warranties of manufacturers or suppliers. Quality issues are resolved directly with them.

4.8. Exchange of prizes or replacement with a monetary equivalent is not provided.

4.9. Prizes are considered income and are therefore subject to taxation in accordance with the law.

4.10. The Organizer reserves the right to change the list and composition of prizes.

5. LICENSE AGREEMENT

5.1. By uploading photographs, the Author confirms that these works indeed belong to them.

5.2. The Author guarantees that the photographs have not been transferred to anyone in terms of rights, are not pledged, and are not involved in any disputes.

5.3. The Author assures that the submitted works do not infringe on others' copyrights. If claims arise, the Author assumes responsibility and resolves the issues independently.

5.4. Copyrights remain entirely with the Author. They can use their photos as they wish and transfer rights to other people at their discretion.

5.5. By participating in the Competition, the Author grants the Organizer a free right to use the photographs for:

presentation to the jury,

publications on the website, in social media and media,

announcements and advertising of the Competition,

placement at exhibitions, in event design, and at the award ceremony.

If necessary, the Organizer may slightly adapt the image (e.g., crop for layout).

5.6. The Organizer always indicates the Author's name when using a photograph.

5.7. The agreement is valid as a public offer: uploading a photo means agreement with the terms. The electronic form has full legal force.

5.8. The license is valid worldwide.

5.9. The Author may revoke permission by writing to info@uwp-award.ru

6. UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHER'S ETHICS

The health of the water body and its inhabitants is more important than the shot. During shooting, the photographer must treat the underwater world with maximum care:

do not touch animals,

do not break corals or touch living structures,

do not leave traces of presence and do not interfere with the natural behavior of marine life.

It is also important to observe local diving rules and nature protection regulations.

7. PERSONAL DATA PROCESSING

By submitting an application and uploading photographs, the Author confirms their consent to the processing of their personal data. This data is used solely for conducting the Competition and is processed in accordance with the Privacy Policy. The full text of the Policy is available at the link: https://uwp-award.ru/privacy

8. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

8.1. By participating in the Competition, the Author confirms that they have read the Rules and fully agree with them.

8.2. If the Author becomes a Winner or Laureate, their name may be mentioned publicly — in news, social media, and materials about the Competition. This is necessary for covering the project and promoting future competitions. No additional remuneration is provided for the mention.

8.3. The Organizer is not responsible for the cancellation, postponement, or change of Competition events if this occurs due to circumstances that cannot be foreseen or controlled.

8.4. Such circumstances include, among others: military conflicts, natural disasters, decisions of state authorities (e.g., restrictions on holding events, self-isolation regime, and other measures), as well as criminal actions by third parties that make conducting the Competition impossible.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Questions regarding these Rules and participation in the Competition should be sent to info@uwp-award.ru

ORGANIZER'S DETAILS

Klipp Evgenia Vyacheslavovna
TIN 770206020572,
account No. 40817810600041040213
JSC "T-BANK"
C/s 30101810145250000974
Bank INN 7710140679
BIC 044525974