Behind the Shots: DPG Masters 2024 Competition

With underwater photography award season well underway we're back with another installment of Behind the Shots, DPG Masters edition. The DPG Masters competition has been around for nearly two decades and has become a staple among the underwater photography contest community and is well known for its international exposure and exciting prizes.

This year, Dive Photo Guide added an additional element: the Mentor Prizes. Each of DPG Masters' six judges hand-selected a competition finalist to receive an hour-long one-on-one mentor session to review their photography portfolio and offer guidance.

Let's dive into a few of the DPG Masters winning images shot by Ikelite customers as well as the Mentor Prize awarded by Ikelite's own Steven Kovacs.

For the full list of DPG Masters winners, see DPG's competition announcement.

Grant Thomas

Honorable Mention | Over-Under

"Into the Darkness" © Grant Thomas // Shot with Canon 5D IV inside an Ikelite Underwater Housing

Shot at Swallows Cave in Tonga, Grant Thomas captured diver Sara swimming through light rays. "It was a very challenging shot to capture due to the extremely high dynamic range and water movement, but I knew I just had to be patient and be ready for the perfect moment as my model, Sara, dived down and passed through the light beams. I feel the picture truly encapsulates the magic of Swallows Cave.”

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Matt Mak

Gold | Conservation

Image of a sea lion with fishing line around its neck, image by Matthew Mak using an Ikelite underwater housing with Sony a1 camera

"Suffocating" © Matt Mak // Shot with Sony a1 + Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 inside an Ikelite Underwater Housing

"This photo was taken at Magdalena Bay, Baja Mexico in November 2024. We were free diving to pursuit of baitballs and the wildlife that come to feed on the sardines and mackerel. At one particular encounter, we saw this large male Californian sea lion amongst the group with a large piece of debris encircling his neck. The debris appeared to be some sort of fishing material. It was upsetting to see how humans can have devastating effects on wildlife and the environment from the materials we use regularly. At the same time, it was remarkable to see how the sea lion was still able to successfully hunt. The photo was taken in hopes to remind us, we should be more mindful of how our existence is delicately intertwined with the other inhabitants on this planet.

"While in Mexico, I was shooting with a Sony A1 and using the respective Ikelite 200DL housing. This gear is rather new. Previously I was shooting with a compact Canon G shot in the water when I lived in Grenada for school. The upgrade has been substantial. I’ve been spending more time learning more about my camera's functions, about top side photography, and starting to explore more with underwater photography. I’ve recently acquired a Sony 90mm macro lens, its respective Ikelite port, as well as DS232 strobes. I am looking forward to using the new gear when I head to Papua New Guinea and Australia in May for 6 weeks."

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Instagram @mmak.photo // @puppydoc09

Filippo Borghi

Gold | Portfolio

"Around the World" © Filippo Borghi // Shot with Ikelite Strobes

A marine iguana perches on a rocky surface in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. "Highlighting different areas of the world, this portfolio aims to show different behaviors of various marine creatures in their natural environment."

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Instagram @filippoborghi5

Mark Chang

Mentor Prize | Traditional

Two whip coral gobies are pictured aerating their eggs in Anilao, Philippines. DPG Masters judge and mentor and Ikelite Ambassador, Steven Kovacs, selected this image by Mark Chang as one of the winners of the inaugural DPG Mentor Prizes.