Wide Angel | 3rd Place (Compact Class)
Stepping into an underwater photography competition for the very first time can feel intimidating, but for Eva Paner, the inaugural Puerto Galera Underwater Shootout was all about growth, discovery, and observation. Rather than focusing on trophies or podium spots, Eva entered the water with an open mind, eager to sharpen her skills, study how other photographers work, and immerse herself in the rich marine life of Puerto Galera.
Here is her story and reflections from her debut competition experience.
Stepping into the Arena: Motivation & Preparation
For Eva, deciding to enter her first shootout came down to curiosity and a desire to learn from her peers in the diving community.
“This was my first underwater photography competition. I decided to join because I wanted to experience what it was like to photograph in a competition environment and, more importantly, to learn from other underwater photographers. I was curious to see how other people approach their subjects, composition, and the underwater environment.”
When preparing for the event, Eva kept her approach simple, choosing flexibility over rigid planning.
“I mainly focused on making sure my equipment was ready and familiarizing myself with the dive sites and marine life in Puerto Galera. Since it was my first shootout, I didn’t want to over-plan or put too many limitations on myself. I wanted to stay open-minded and see what I could find and photograph during the competition.”
Heading into day one, she was driven by excitement rather than nerves.
“I was most excited about meeting other photographers and having the opportunity to dive and photograph alongside them. I didn’t really feel much pressure or have any major concerns. For me, the competition was more about the experience and the opportunity to learn something new.”
In the Element: Shooting Under Competition Conditions
Diving with a competition window changes how a photographer views the underwater environment, encouraging a deeper focus on technical details.
Diving with a competition window changes how a photographer views the underwater environment, encouraging a deeper focus on technical details.
“The biggest difference is that you pay much more attention to everything around you. During a normal dive, you might simply photograph something because you find it interesting. In a competition, you naturally start thinking more about the subject, composition, lighting, and how everything comes together in the frame.”
Even with the added focus, Eva maintained a relaxed, practical mindset underwater.
“Personally, I didn’t find it particularly stressful. I treated it more as an opportunity to practice, observe, and learn. I also enjoyed seeing how other photographers approached the same environment in completely different ways.”
Rather than struggling with a single elusive creature, Eva found that the true test was timing and framing.
“Puerto Galera has such a diverse range of dive sites, and each site has its own character and marine life. For me, the biggest challenge wasn’t necessarily photographing one particular creature. It was making the most of the limited time and recognizing the right moment when the subject, light, and composition all came together. That was actually one of the things I learned a lot about during the competition.”
The Power of Observation & Team Support
Great images rarely happen in isolation. Eva credits the dedicated team at Scandi Divers and the collaborative spirit among fellow shooters for making the dives smooth and insightful.
“The support from the team was very important especially to coach PJ. The dive guides and spotters helped us find and observe marine life, which made the whole shooting process much smoother. I also really enjoyed exchanging ideas with the other photographers. Watching how someone else approaches a subject or uses the environment and available light can give you a completely different perspective.”
When the dives wrapped up, reviewing her shots on the computer provided some of the most valuable lessons of the event.
“The selection process was actually one of the most interesting parts for me, and I learned quite a lot from it. Underwater, you might think you’ve taken a really good photo, but when you look at it again on a computer, you may notice things that could be improved: the composition, the position of the subject, the lighting, or simply the overall balance of the image. Selecting the final images was a way of looking back at my own shooting and understanding what I could do better next time.”
Guidance during the event also reinforced that photography is a medium for storytelling.
“There were quite a few small pieces of advice that stayed with me, especially around composition, choosing the right subject, and making better use of the underwater environment. It reminded me that underwater photography isn’t simply about finding a beautiful creature and pressing the shutter. It’s also about how you use the image to communicate what you saw and what you felt in that moment. That’s something I definitely want to keep working on.”
Looking Forward: A Stepping Stone to the Next Chapter
Waiting for the judging results was a peaceful process for Eva, as the true reward had already been gained underwater and during team discussions.
“Of course I was curious about the results, but I didn’t feel particularly nervous. For me, the result wasn’t the only measure of the experience. Being part of the competition, diving with other photographers, and learning so much along the way were already very valuable.”
Though the final scores didn’t yield the exact outcome she hoped for on paper, the event ignited a strong motivation to keep refining her craft.
“I think the biggest lesson was that underwater photography is really about constantly observing, experimenting, and adjusting. One competition isn’t going to suddenly make you a better photographer, but it can show you what you’re already doing well and, more importantly, where you still have room to improve. The results this time weren’t exactly what I had hoped for, but I actually came away feeling even more motivated. I realized there is still a lot for me to learn, and I genuinely believe I can do better next time.”
To any diver considering taking part in their first competition, Eva offers encouraging advice focused on perspective:
“If it’s your first competition, I would say don’t focus too much on the results. Treat it as an opportunity to learn and meet other photographers. Watch how they work, talk to them, learn from their ideas, and most importantly, enjoy the diving. At the end of the competition, you’ll take away much more than just a photograph or a result. You’ll have new knowledge, new experiences, and a better understanding of your own photography. For me, this competition was just the beginning. I’m already looking forward to the next one, and I believe I’ll be much better prepared for it.”