Ocean Art Photography Contest Winners Dazzle with Underwater Depths

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The 12th annual Ocean Art Underwater Photo Contest has unveiled its captivating champions, showcasing the remarkable beauty and hidden drama of the world beneath the waves.

Best in Show: Suliman Alatiqi takes home the top prize with an intimate portrait of a crab-eating macaque foraging in Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands.

Intriguing Insights:

“Circle of Life,” Andrea Michelutti’s capture of a nudibranch feast, highlights the intricate dances of life and death within the coral reefs.

“Dress for the Sea,” by Serge Melesan, reveals the graceful ballet of Tursiops dolphins against the sun-dappled backdrop of a Mayotte lagoon.

“Pygmy Poser,” Byron Conroy’s macro masterpiece, focuses on the exquisite camouflage of a pygmy seahorse in Indonesia’s Lembeh Strait.

Touching Moments:

“Mother’s Day,” Josh Raia’s tender scene of a manatee mother and calf gliding through Florida’s Crystal River, warms the heart.

“Pup Playtime,” Celia Kujala’s playful photograph of young California sea lions frolicking near Mexico’s Coronado Islands brings a smile.

Hidden Wonders:

“Backlit Blenny,” Greg Sherman’s masterful use of backlighting illuminates the captivating colors of a gulf signal blenny in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez.

“The Beauty of the Swamp,” Bryant Turffs’ wide-angle view showcases the enchanting Everglades, with a native Florida gar as the star.

Underwater Adventures:

“Wroom,” Andrea Michelutti takes us on a surreal journey through the wreck of a motorcycle submerged in the Red Sea since 1941.

“Giving Birth,” Todd Aki captures the delicate moment of a seahorse releasing its young off the coast of Indonesia.

Portraits of Resilience:

“Fresh Start,” Jules Casey’s close-up of a newly molted giant spider crab in Australia stands as a testament to adaptation and strength.

“Ms. Elegant,” Cédric Péneau’s encounter with a graceful Bornella anguilla nudibranch off Réunion Island celebrates the unique elegance of the underwater world.

Black and White Drama:

“Sea Lion Playing in Sardine Ball,” Joergen Rasmussen’s stark image captures the dynamic dance between a playful sea lion and a swirling school of sardines.

“Baby Shark,” Kat Zhou’s adorable portrait of a lemon shark pup cruising through Bahamian mangroves highlights the vulnerability and beauty of young life.

Artful Encounters:

“Art,” Steven Kovacs’ captivating shot of a dazzling larval snail in Indonesia elevates marine life to an artistic masterpiece.

“Spotlight Nudibranch,” Jenny Stock’s silhouette of a nudibranch against a fallen leaf in Bali creates a mesmerizing play of light and shadow.

Hidden Symbiosis:

“Into the Flames,” Miguel Ramirez’s night dive in Réunion Island unveils the unexpected partnership between a Spanish dancer and an emperor shrimp seeking refuge within its gills.

Eye-to-Eye:

“Eye See You,” Keith Mash’s macro lens captures the captivating gaze of a green turtle, creating a moment of mutual curiosity and connection.

The Ocean Art Underwater Photo Contest winners offer a breathtaking glimpse into the hidden wonders and captivating stories that lie beneath the surface. These images inspire us to appreciate the beauty and vulnerability of our ocean planet and encourage us to protect its diverse inhabitants.