PADI and Scuba Diving magazine are officially accepting entries for the 22nd annual Through Your Lens Photo Contest, celebrating underwater photography from around the globe. The contest runs from May 11 through June 15, 2026, and invites photographers of all skill levels to submit images showcasing the beauty, wonder, and importance of the underwater world.

"Through Your Lens has always been about discovering new talent and giving underwater photographers a place to share their perspective with the world. Every year, we're introduced to photographers who capture the ocean in ways we've never seen before, and that's what makes this contest so exciting," says Lauren Eggert, Content & Creative Director for Scuba Diving magazine.

This year's categories include Wide-Angle, Behavior, Macro, Smartphone/Compact Camera, and a Shark and Ray category created in support of PADI AWARE Foundation's Global Shark & Ray Census and its ongoing conservation efforts focused on vulnerable shark and ray species worldwide. 

Entry is free, and photographers may submit up to five images per category.

"The most powerful underwater images create a connection between people and the ocean. Whether it's a shark, a fever of rays, or a quiet moment on a reef, photography has the ability to inspire curiosity, empathy, and ultimately a desire to protect these environments for future generations," Eggert says.

Scuba Diving has confirmed the return of acclaimed underwater photographers Brandon Cole, Kate Jonker, and Alex Mustard as guest judges.

The grand prize winner will receive $1,000 and a weeklong liveaboard trip with Aggressor Adventures. First-place winners in each category will also receive a liveaboard trip with Aggressor, All Star Liveaboards or Explorer Ventures. Second-place winners in each category will receive a regulator from SCUBAPRO, and third-place winners will receive a dive computer from Shearwater Research.

Past winners of the annual competition include a breathtaking kelp forest scene shot in just 3 meters of water off Cape Town; a Napoleon wrasse cutting boldly through a school of bannerfish at a vibrant Maldivian dive site; and an intimate macro portrait of a Banggai cardinalfish sheltering its newly hatched fry inside its mouth.

“Twenty-two years in, and this contest still surprises us,” Eggert says. “The images people submit don’t just document the underwater world, they advocate for it. The new Shark and Ray category is a perfect example of that. These are animals that desperately need more champions, and photographers have a unique power to change how people see them, and ultimately, protect them.” 

All winners and honorable mentions will be featured in the September/October 2026 Photo Issue of Scuba Diving magazine, with one contest image selected for the cover. Entries are open now through June 15, 2026, atscubadiving.com/photocontest.

About Scuba Diving Magazine:

United in our passion for diving and the world beneath the surface. Scuba Diving is an inclusive print and digital forum to learn about, connect on and fuel a shared passion for underwater exploration. Our enthusiasm for the sport of diving, the stunning places we experience, the incredible marine encounters, and our purpose-driven commitment to ocean change keeps us connected and inspires one another to seek adventure and save the ocean.  The ultimate, trusted source, we deliver expert insights on gear, safety, training, local diving, travel and dive professions – because, as divers ourselves, we care deeply about the same topics.  Whether we dive once a year or for a living, we’re a single community of ocean lovers constantly encouraging those new to diving to join us. www.scubadiving.com

About PADI  

About PADI: PADI®️ (Professional Association of Diving Instructors®️) is the largest diving organization with a global network of 6,600 dive centers and resorts, 128,000 professional members, and more than 30 million certified divers to date. Committed to our blue planet, PADI makes the wonder of the underwater world accessible to all, empowering people around the world to experience, explore, and take meaningful action to protect the world beneath the surface. For over 60 years, PADI has undeniably been the Way the World Learns to Dive®️, setting the standard for the highest-quality dive training, underwater safety, and conservation initiatives while evolving the sport of diving into a passionate lifestyle. For divers by divers, PADI is obsessed with transforming lives and, with its global foundation, PADI AWARE, creating positive ocean change. www.padi.com