Underwater News

The Underwater Photography Guide has just announced the winners of the 2014 Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition. This news is very exciting, with over 70 underwater images to admire.

This year's Ocean Art Competition attracted a very high caliber of photos, representing entrants from over 50 countries.

Over $70,000 of prizes will be awarded to 60 underwater photographers, highlighted by an 11-day Indonesia liveaboard trip on the SMY Ondina, a 7-night dive package at Paradise Taveuni Resort in Fiji, a 7-night Maldives liveaboard trip on the Manthiri, a 7-night Solomon Islands liveaboard trip on the Bilikiki, a 10-night dive package at Lissenung Dive Resort in Papua New Guinea and a variety of gift certificates from Bluewater Photo. Premium prizes are provided by Villa Markisa (Bali), the Discovery Fleet (Tubbataha), Emperor Divers (Maldives), VoliVoli (Fiji), Atmosphere (Philippines), Kosrae Nautilus Resort (Micronesia), Atlantis Philippines, Wananavu (Fiji), Palau Dive Adventures, Mike Ball Dive Expeditions (Australia), Alor Divers (Indonesia), Manta Ray Bay (Yap), El Galleon (Philippines), Maluku Divers (Indonesia), Juliana?s Hotel & Sea Saba Dive Center (Caribbean), Eco Divers Resort Lembeh, Blackbeard?s Cruises (Bahamas), Scuba Seraya (Bali) and Bluewater Travel.

Ocean Art 2014 judges included prestigious underwater photographers Tony Wu, Martin Edge, Marty Snyderman and Scott Gietler.

There are at least 4 winners in each of the 12 categories, including Wide-Angle, Macro, Portrait, Behavior, Novice, Nudibranchs, Super Macro, Divers & Fashion, Cold Water and 3 compact camera categories.

The Best of Show was a stunning wide-angle photo shot from behind a breaking wave by Ray Collins at Kirra Beach, Australia. Other outstanding images include some out-of-this-world fish and marine life shots, rarely seen underwater behavior, iridescent shrimp, models in pools, smiling turtles, vibrantly colored squid and some dramatic black and white moments. Thousands of entries were viewed by the judges before the final set of amazing images were selected and deemed some of the best underwater photos in the world.

The quality of image submissions was incredible, making judging very difficult but ensuring the prestige of the Ocean Art Competition. Bluewater Photo and Travel owner and Underwater Photography Guide publisher, Scott Gietler said

The caliber of photos in Ocean Art this year was amazing, and the judges had to make some very difficult decisions when evaluating photos in the contest. The winning photos were submitted from oceans and freshwater around the world by many talented underwater photographers. Congratulations to all the winners.

Read the full Official Press Release and have more details, see other pics and view full size image on the Underwater Photography Guide

Best of Show

Wide-Angle Category

Macro Category

Cold Water Category

Portrait Category

Marine Life Behavior Category

Novice DSLR Category

Compact Macro Category

Compact Marine Life Behavior Category

Compact Wide-Angle Category

Nudibranchs Category

Super Macro Category

Divers & Fashion Category