MIAMI —June 21, 2021 — The University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science is now accepting entries for its annual Underwater Photography Contest. Since its inception in 2005, the contest has drawn several thousand entrants from across the globe and a collection of beautiful images. The deadline for submitting photos is 12p.m., U.S. Eastern Time on Tuesday, September 7, 2021.
Judged by a panel of professional photographers and marine scientists, photographs are divided into five separate categories:
- Fish or Marine Animal Portrait: Image that captures a fish or marine animal.
- Macro: Image shot at close range with a macro lens or macro attachment. The subject must be captured in life size (1:1) or larger than life size (2:1, 3:1, 4:1, etc.) on the recording media.
- Wide Angle: Image shot with a wide-angle lens (minimum of a 28° lens).
- Marine Conservation: Image that showcase the intersection of humanity and the natural environment in a positive or negative light. Shots must be underwater or over/under (waterline) shots.
- UM Student: Image chosen by judges to be the best overall among submissions by currently enrolled University of Miami students.
- Best overall: Image chosen by judges to be best overall from all three categories.
The competition is generously supported by Canon. The top prize is a trip on Blackbeard’s Cruises, departing from Nassau to the Exuma Cays, Bahamas (trip prizes do not include airfare, gratuities, port taxes, Bahamas Underwater National Park fees, gear rental, etc., and are subject to availability). There will also be monetary awards for those finishing in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each of the categories.
The Underwater Photography Contest is open to all amateur photographers who earn no more than 20 percent of their income from photography. Eligible photos must not have been published or accepted for publication and must be the original work of the submitter. No pool or aquarium shots will be accepted.
The winners will be announced in October 2021 during an online event open to the public. To view past winners, contest rules and entry form, please visit: https://www.rsmas.miami.edu/community-and-giving/outreach/underwater-photo-contest/contest-rules/index.html
