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California Ocean & Coastal Amateur Photography Contest

Announcing the Winners of the 2022 Contest!
See all the winners and honorable mentions

A negative 45 degree crop of a foamy barrel, the bottom half of a surfer in view

Judges' Choice Winner
-45 Barrel
The Wedge, Newport Beach, Orange County
Kevin Kielty





The 2022 contest was sponsored by the California Coastal Commission, Thank You Ocean, Dashe Cellars, Central Coast Outdoors, Discovery Whale Watch, Condor Express, Malibu Wine Hikes, Blue Water Kayaking, Bernardus Vineyards and Winery, Captain Jacks, Princess Monterey Whale Watching, San Dog Kayak Adventures, Newport Landing Whale Watching, Santa Barbara Sailing Center, The Duckhorn Portfolio, Adventures By The Sea, Simply Straws, and San Diego Whale Watching.

Galleries of Past Winners:

2022     |    2021     |    2019     |    2018     |    2017     |    2016     |    2015     |    2014     |    2013     |    2012     |    2011     |    2010     |    2009     |    2008     |    2007     |    2006     |    2005     |    2004     |    2003     |    2002     |    2001     |    1999     |    1998

Upcoming traveling photo exhibit locations:

Siskiyou County Library (October-December 2022)

Advice for Taking Pictures

"Here's a central and obvious principle about photography that is sometimes overlooked even by some veteran photographers — that it's about light. Light makes the image. All cameras, whether film-based or digital are wonders of technology but they don't have a clue about subject; they're designed to transmit and register light and a range of its qualities.

It's true that the history of photography is filled with examples in which the subject and not the light is what the viewer's attention is drawn to and many of those images are powerful and memorable. In photojournalism, for example, when the urgency of an event takes precedence over art, the photographer may not have the time or the interest in waiting for the right light. But amongst the most memorable of those images, the ones that put a lump in your throat are those in which the light was a significant and descriptive player. So think about the subject but shoot the light."

  - Malcolm Lubliner, Photographer

Timothy Wong Photo of a photographer

Photo contest entries may be used in Coastal Commission web pages, publications, and products. Past contest photos have been used to produce a set of greeting cards; a screensaver; and coastal access guides.