MIAMI — February 7, 2014 — The University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science is pleased to announce that it 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. The deadline for submitting the images is midnight on Friday, March 7, 2014. Judged anonymously by a panel of professional photographers and marine scientists, photographs are divided in five separate categories:
- Fish or Marine Animal Portrait
- Macro
- Wide Angle
- Student
- Best overall
The top prize is a trip on Blackbeard’s Cruises, departing from Freeport, Bahamas (trip prizes do not include 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. Divers Direct, the largest SCUBA retailer in the U.S., is providing the awards for the Student Category.
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 this year at the Rosenstiel School’s popular Sea Secrets Lecture on April 16, 2014. During this free lecture, Emmy Award winning cinematographer, photographer, scuba diver and marine conservationist Shawn Heinrichs will display his world-class underwater photography, which he uses as a tool to promote conservation of threatened marine species. A reception and exhibit immediately after the lecture will take place on the Rosenstiel campus to recognize the winners of the 2014 Underwater Photo Contest.
To view past contest winners and complete contest rules, please visit: www.rsmas.miami.edu/outreach/underwater-photography
About the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School The University of Miami is the largest private research institution in the southeastern United States. The University’s mission is to provide quality education, attract and retain outstanding students, support the faculty and their research, and build an endowment for University initiatives. Founded in the 1940’s, the Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science has grown into one of the world’s premier marine and atmospheric research institutions. Offering dynamic interdisciplinary academics, the Rosenstiel School is dedicated to helping communities to better understand the planet, participating in the establishment of environmental policies, and aiding in the improvement of society and quality of life. For more information, please visit www.rsmas.miami.edu.
