See in the Sea International Underwater Photocontest 16th edition.

See in the Sea International Underwater Photocontest reaches its 16th edition.

The Contest created by Ortona Sub (1990/2025) in 2006, together with My Shot organized by Zero Pixel and Scubaportal is one of the very few Contests still active in Italy.

Thanks to the Technical Direction of Giuseppe Pignataro, See in the Sea UW Ph has boasted significant numbers over the years, with over 1200 authors under evaluation and over 8000 images of great technical, scientific and emotional value in the archive.

See in the Sea has had the pleasure of hosting important guests and testimonials, from Folco Quilici to Adriano Madonna, from Francesco Sena to Claudia Capodarte, Fabio Pajoncini Ottaviani to Alessandro Rignani Lolli, from Franco Banfi to Alessandro Marroni, from Francesco Colletta to Ilenia Colanero, from the Talassografico CNR of Taranto to the Centro studi Cetacei of Pescara, from Cristina Freghieri to Pippo Cappellano, from Denis Palbiani to Dodi Telli, from Vanna Cammelli to Ingrid Mavrovik, from Mauro Francesconi to Alberto Balbi, from Puccio di Stefano to Alessandro de Maddalena, from Umberto Natoli to Alberto Muro Pelliconi, from Gianni Marchesini to Fabio Benvenuti, from Andrea Giulianini to Angelo Mojetta.

The categories of See in the Sea 2025

Works can be submitted until 12/31/2025 by registering on the dedicated website page https://seeintheseauw.com/ (visit the Rules https://seeintheseauw.com/rules ) and the Jury's evaluation will take place in January 2026.

In addition to the classic Macro and Wide Angle categories, there will be a section dedicated to Black and White photography and our now highly regarded Mediterranean Portfolio, which allows everyone to try their hand at showcasing our Sea, even without necessarily making long intercontinental journeys.

The 2025 jury chosen by Giuseppe Pignataro is composed of Pietro Formis , Domy Tripodi and Pasquale Vassallo and will acclaim the winners who will be awarded on the stage of the 31st edition of the Eudi Show thanks to the collaboration of SSI Italia and Giorgio Canepa.

Author's Awards and Trophy

In addition to a rich prize pool offered by the major brands in the sector, the Competition boasts the opportunity for the winners to win the coveted stone trophy created in a numbered series especially for See in the Sea by the sculptor Walter Polleggioni ( https://seeintheseauw.com/trophy ), a unique work that every underwater photographer would like to boast in their personal showcase.

“See in the Sea is an act of pure madness,” proudly comments Paolo De Iure, President of Ortona Sub, “and like all things a little crazy, it is born from a deep passion.

We are among the very few Contests still active, and this clearly demonstrates the difficulties of organizing such an event, but the thrill of reading the Sea through the incredible images that the authors send us more than repays us for the many organizational efforts necessary to propose a Contest at this level.

In reality, the competitions come and go and the names of the winners follow one another quickly, but what remains with me are the many human relationships that this experience has given me and the possibility of being able to make this story available to anyone who wants to listen, a fascinating narration that demonstrates that another world is possible, and that every diver who has had the gift of experiencing those emotions has the duty to return his concrete commitment to pass on such beauty.

An edition dedicated to David Salvatori

And speaking of human relationships and emotions, this 16th edition is dedicated to David Salvatori, a wonderful friend whom we had the honor of having among our judges in the 2018 edition. We wanted to create an award that would remind the many who were fortunate enough to experience him and who, underwater, on every dive, have the gift of meeting his gaze again... we are certain that it will be a unique moment in our little journey into the colors of blue...

Information and contacts

Cover photo by Snoek Luc Rooman

Gallery of past winners: See in the Sea International Underwater Photo Contest