E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Ximena Olds
Click through the best pictures from the University of Miami's 2012 Annual Underwater Photography Contest, hosted by the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.
Even a humble sea slug can be stylish, if you find the right slug in the right place. That's what photographer Ximena Olds did when she snapped a picture of an orange headshield sea slug amid the green seagrass in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Her contrasting-color picture took the top prize in this year's Underwater Photography Contest, hosted by the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.
More than 700 images were submitted for the 2012 contest, showing scenes from 20 countries. Awards were given in several categories, including Macro, Wide Angle, and Fish or Marine Mammal Portrait. Another category was set aside for University of Miami students. Olds' photo was submitted in the Macro category but was singled out for the "Best Overall" prize.
The judges included University of Miami lecturer Myron Wang, underwater photographer Nicole Wang and Michael Schmale, a professor at the Rosenstiel School.
"The quality of photos keeps getting better each year," Myron Wang, who has been judging the contest since its inception in 2005, said in today's announcement of the winners. "Judging becomes more difficult when you have so many wonderful pictures to choose from. For me, there were excellent entries in every category, but this year’s standout was the great picture of the juvenile sperm whale taken by Douglas Kahle in Dominica — it is spectacular!”
This year, for the first time, a "Fan Favorite" category was created for Internet voting. More than 1,200 ballots were cast in the poll, with Todd Aki's shot of a silhouetted jellyfish taking the prize.
The underwater photography contest is held annually, and is open to all amateur photographers who earn no more than 20 percent of their income from their photography. Click through the slideshow above, or check out the Rosenstiel School's website for more about the winners.
More underwater beauties:
- Flip through this year's candidates for fan favorite
- Bellyflop! Amazing photos of underwater dogs
- 2011: Cameras capture underwater wonders
- Photo exhibit displayed on artificial reef
Alan Boyle is msnbc.com's science editor. Connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the log's Facebook page, following @b0yle on Twitter or adding Cosmic Log's Google+ page to your circle. You can also check out "The Case for Pluto," my book about the controversial dwarf planet and the search for other worlds.
Leave a Comment:
The first one was so beautiful that it was difficult to even consider the others. But I'm going back to no.1 as being my favorite.
The photographers are amazing to say the least.
Great job, guys!
Hi Darrah ....
For those who may have missed it ....
There are 2 groups of photo's ....
1 through 14 ....
and the second group has .... ( just hit the right arrow again )
1 though 13 ....
All great ....
Thanks Alan ....
Hi bigben.
I know you from other comment threads. I would just like to point out to you that your usual views threaten the lives of the creatures that are responsible for these remarkable images. Global warming will threaten the environment these craetures live in within 3 decades.
Can a view harm any living thing .... "LOL"
Just because I like Romney ....
Cheer up ....
Enjoy the photos ....
Ben, if you truly love the photos, you should consider what makes them possible, and what threats there are to continuing to see these images. My point is about your political views and how they cause a very real threat to having the opportunity to capture these images anew in thirty years or so. I have no issue with you enjoying these images, I'm happy that you do and I hope that you will continue to. But I do know your history, and know that you support policies that would eliminate these species. And I would like you to reflect on that.
Romney and his kind cornering even more of the wealth of this nation will not save these creatures, but, just maybe, we the people can. Are you on the "right" side, or the right side?
John, since most of these fish are tropical, global warming will only increase their habitat!
John, since most of these fish are tropical, global warming will only increase their habitat!
Temperature is only part of the habitat equation. pH is more critical, with a smaller tolerance. Ocean pH is already at the low end of the habitable range for tropical fish and increasing CO2 content is driving it lower.
Very good Brian-1075075 ....
Most have no idea of the importance of pH ....
And the ranges effects on all living things ....
There are studies occurring right now to attempt to control infections , diseases , some cancers ect. ....
With pH type , threshold therapy ....
Current results are more than promising ....
Hi Big Ben.
Hmm, putting Romney in the same picture with these beautiful sea creatures. Doesn't work for me, but to each his own as they say. Maybe put him in a shark suit or cage? lol
I remember the other group of pics and voted on one. I can't remember which one I voted for so I'll have to take a second look.
Good to see you again. :-)
Your right Darrah ....
I just come here to enjoy Alan's work and look what happens .... "LOL"
I guess I'm kind of remembered some from the political blogs ....
Always good to see you Darrah ....
Hope all is well with you ....
: )
I don't take part in that many political articles anymore. I built two political groups and they came! How 'bout that! lol
I don't remember you from anything except Cosmic Log. I can like anybody (including my staunch Tea Party family members), as long as we keep politics out of the way. Just sayin'. ;-)
I can't blame you for not taking part in the political blogs Darrah ....
Specially now ....
Some try to gang up on me I feel like , but that can be immensely entertaining at times ....
Your point is often my point , which is to get along or at least try , no matter what your views are ....
I often divert them with some kind of humor now and then ....
I can't remember how I found the COSMIC LOG or stumbled on it , but now I always have to see what's new on it from Alan ....
It's always a pleasure ....
Compared to most other articles ....
: )
I was following Cosmic Log before I even knew about newsvine.
I've noticed names on both sides of the political spectrum here on NV. It's amazing and refreshing to see just what we all have in common. Most people love to learn about nature and don't even think about politics while reading about it. That goes for music as well. Both are universal and transcend a lot of differences.
Nice Darrah ....
Your so right ....
I have to play guitar every day or night for a few hours , sometimes a little less ....
With headphones and amp right next to me for easy access , it must stay easily accessible ....
I put on my headphones , pick up my guitar and turn on my amp in a snap ....
Science has always been somewhat of a passion of mine , who could not like it's wonders ....
I feel very lucky to still be involved in a portion of it ....
It's great to see your interest in it as well ....
: )
Just beautiful. Great photo, beautiful creature.
Absolutely beautifully amazing pictures.
They should be offered in a calendar to benefit oceanic research.
What a wonderful idea! I’d buy one.
Me too!
Awsome pics!!!!!
Who couldn't enjoy that ....
I'll bet even the 2012 losers photos were great ....
Nice stuff ....
Thanks Alan ....
Bigben, don't your more typical posts come from the point of view that denies global warming and anything positive related to the envronment? I might be making a gross over simplification based on your very right wing posts, but I sort of doubt it. I think that you don't manage to correctly connect that a healthy environment contributing to the availability of these photographic subjects and the beauty of the resulting image is necessary.
I didn't think anyone thought I was so powerful ....
Or had that much control over the environment ....
All that because I support Mitt Romney ....
I'm surely not the only one .... "LOL"
No, it's because you insult science and reason at every available opportunity. You take a scattergun approach to anything you consider liberal, which includes anything that might be construed as environmental. I've read your comments and I know what you stand for.
If you appreciate these photos, and I think you do, you should use them as an example to examine some of your other beliefs. Your support of Romney, and others on his side, threaten these creatures and threaten the world that makes these images possible. Until you consider that, you are not considering anything. You cannot have it both ways, loving the environment, but supporting the policies that will kill that very environment. The brave choice is to support these creatures, what's your's?
Jon,
Far too much hypocrisy and ambiguity from both sides of the aisle. I could give a speech about how the left places more value on marine life than human life. But hey we can't have it both ways can we? I guess that means democrats can love the environment but can't love humans.
jon...your eco soap box has been moved to another chat...ever think these photos would raise awareness an appreciation for the planet's bio-diversity?
this one is for the beauty and splendor of sea life....so look at the pics and shut up
Hopeful Marine biologist here. Member of the right-wing party. Oh yeah, and supporter of individual rights. And against the government ruling everything in my life.
Jon- What you seem to be missing, is just because we support people, doesn't mean we hate animals. You, obviously hate people.
We are life on this planet too, and if the fish and other aquatic life have survived with us for thousands, possibly billions of years, can't they do it for another thousand, or another billion?
Jon ....
Read the 3 posts above this one ....
Just a small glimpse of why your remarks were out of line ....
And I can assure you , that you really no nothing about me or my effects on ecology ....
Do any of you take these photos, or even go where they are possible? I have and do, regularly, and believe me, you people are arguing both ways and denying it. You are arguing for the practices that kill the life that creates the opportunity for these images and then saying you are innocent because you appreciate the artististry of these images. And then you have the mendacity for calling you out on the absolute shallownest of your argument.
Minie Pixie: you cannot be a Marine biologist and a member of a right-wing party, they are mutually exclusive, one involves reason, the other fake magic, I'll leave it to you to determine which is which.
Bobby Jones: You are missing the point entirely. It is not a question of animals and humans, and if you think it is, you are failing completely, because humans are animals, and there is no escaping that fact. Therefore, marine life has as much value as "human" life. I love and appreciate the life that led to these wonderful underwater photos. I have been there personally, seen, and photographed these same creatures.
My comment was only meant to bigbenalaska, and others like him, if you think the life that is in these photos is beautiful, why don't you start to support policies that preserve that life? Hey, I don't really care if you beat on each other as humans, or whatever, like big ben possibly does, based on his online comments.
I am only trying to get big ben to repent, and join humanity, and thought that maybe his love of an image from nature might help him along the way. But, maybe he has too may spirits pulling him towards hell.
These pictures are amazing!
The pictures are just so awesome and just thanks to those photographers have taken the shots which are the moments that have made God alive and well. Thanks for my God's creation.
Unfortunately, God's most fervent followers in our country support policies that threaten the lives of the creatures that are the subjects of these remarkable images. I would like to think that those people who so fervently believe in God's power of creation would start to support God instead of supporting those who seek to destroy that creation for the sake of temporal profit.
Jon - You're weird.
Breathtaking and soooooo colorful, thank you.
Kinda makes you want to protect the planet, doesn't it?
note that pics are enhanced with filters in photoshop. don't be fooled folks. ps can make dog poo very attractive too.
You need to photoshop that pic of you!
hehehe.
These creatures and photos are beautiful in their own right. They're much more beautiful than any human. We should envy them and their actions.
If anyone has ever dived into the deep blue, they would see... or even visit your local aquarium. Let's get out more often and see what really does exist on our planet.
Ocean life is pretty awesome. I had a saltwater tank for years. Very delicate and expensive hobby though.
If you take an interest in nature...you will never be bored.
Could anything from another planet be any stranger than the life in our oceans?
Could be equally as strange there are other planets with water as well.