Make A Splash Photo and Video Contest
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) created the Make A Splash Photo and Video Contest to recognize and document the latest advancements in water power technologies, research and development activities, and infrastructure. The contest sought to capture the beauty of the landscapes, people, and communities rooted in water power. By participating in this contest, competitors helped WPTO raise awareness around hydropower and marine energy’s potential to contribute to a carbon-free power grid. The Make A Splash Photo and Video Contest invited photographers and videographers at all proficiency levels to capture photos and videos of water power that transported viewers and showcased the scope and potential of water power as a renewable energy. Contest winners were awarded up to $2,000 for a photo or video in one of eight categories.
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Prize Structure
Prizes were awarded from a cash prize pool of $31,500. There were three awards per category—grand prize, second place, and third place—and the following amounts were awarded to each winner:
- Grand Prize: $2,000
- Second Place: $1,000
- Third Place: $500
Entrants submitted up to 20 photos (total) in the following six photo categories:
- Conventional Hydropower and Pumped Storage
- Small, Distributed, or Low Impact Hydropower
- Marine Energy
- Powering the Blue Economy™
- Faces of Water Power
- Communities Powered by Water
Entrants could submit up to six clips or timelapse videos (total) in the following three categories:
- Clip or Timelapse: Marine Renewable Energy Technologies
- Clip or Timelapse: Hydropower Technologies
- Clip or Timelapse: Faces of Water Power
* All photos and videos must be taken within the United States or U.S. Territories or be of U.S. technology in non-U.S. territory. Please see the official rules for details on each category.
Important Dates
- Contest Opens: August 9 2023
- Submissions Due: November 17, 2023
- Winner Announcement: February 2024
Who is Eligible to Compete?
The competition was open to all amateur and professional photographers and videographers with original work. For more information about submission requirements, please review the official prize rules.