Monthly Programme

2026 Monthly Competition themes

Most of the 2026 competition themes will mirror BSoUP’s monthly themes:

  • January 13th meeting online: Divers - An image where a human diver, freediver, or snorkeler is an intentional element of the composition. The focus is on incorporating the human element into the underwater scene, whether interacting with the environment, acting as a scale reference, or creating an artistic silhouette.
  • February 10th meet at Severnside: Scenery - Any type of underwater landscape or wide-angle scene, ranging from vibrant coral reefs and moody shipwrecks to abstract open water, kelp forests, or the ethereal light of a cenote. This is your underwater landscape category.
  • March 10th meeting online: Theme Portfolio - A cohesive portfolio of three (3) separate single images. The images may feature the same subject, scene, or technique, or they may be different, but they must share an obvious connection, harmony, and narrative thread that unites the set as a whole.
  • April 14th meet at Severnside: Circles - An image where one or more strong circular forms are a central and key part of the composition. This could include physical objects (e.g., portholes, bubbles, rings), natural shapes (e.g., fish formations, spiral shells), or artistic elements (e.g., light circles).
  • May 12th meeting online: Underwater Excellence - A portfolio of three (3) individual images demonstrating a broad spectrum of advanced photographic skill and technical mastery. The submission must include at least one (1) high-quality wide-angle image and one (1) high-quality close-up/macro image. Variety in subject, technique, and lighting is encouraged.
  • June 9th meet at Severnside: Behaviour - A single image that powerfully captures a natural, non-provoked behaviour of marine life in action. Examples include feeding, courting, mating, nesting, camouflaging, schooling, or predator-prey interaction.
  • July 14th meeting online: Natural Artistry - A single image that focuses on capturing the abstract beauty, patterns, texture, or mood found naturally in the underwater world. This category rewards creativity in seeing the artistic in nature, such as a repeating pattern in a coral, a compelling texture of a sponge, or a strong water/light abstract.
  • August 11th meet at Severnside: Animals in their Environment - A single image featuring one or more animals, where the surrounding underwater habitat is an essential and prominent part of the story. The composition should clearly show the animal(s) interacting with or within their natural home, providing context and scale.
  • September 8th meeting online: Macro - A single, technically precise close-up or super-macro image of a small subject. The image must emphasise fine detail, texture, and/or shallow depth of field, demonstrating mastery of macro focus and lighting techniques.
  • October 13th meet at Severnside: Best of British - A portfolio of three (3) individual images showcasing the unique variety and compelling beauty of the underwater world in British waters. This category requires demonstrated skill and technique across the three images. Including one wide-angle and one macro image is strongly recommended. The images do not need to form a cohesive portfolio.
  • November 10th meeting online: Mammals - A single, dynamic image featuring any aquatic or semi-aquatic mammal underwater. This includes seals, dolphins, whales, manatees, sea lions, otters, or any other mammal photographed naturally below the surface.
  • December 8th meet at Severnside: Print Competition and Beginner's Portfolio - A portfolio of three (3) individual images open only to photographers who have not achieved a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place win in a major international or national competition (e.g., BSOUP monthly, BSoUP Print, UPY, BIUPC, Ocean Art). The images can be of any subject matter. This category is designed to encourage photographers new to the competitive scene.

Please see how to prepare and submit your images for the monthly competitions.

We meet on the second Tuesday of each month, and alternate in-person and online meetings (but the in-person meeting also includes members via zoom).

Meetings start at 7:30, but members usually gather from 7:00pm to chat and socialise before proceedings begin.

Our in-person meetings are held at Severnside Sub Aqua Club in Bristol.