Contest Winners
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GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Weedy Seadragon in the Light
by Richard Wylie of Australia
Weedy seadragons (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) are unique to the temperate and sub-temperate waters of Australia. Every year in spring, male and female seadragons perform a beautiful dance which culminates in the female passing the fertilized eggs to the male who then incubates them until hatching approximately 8 weeks later. Seadragons are listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List and are at risk from habitat destruction and pollution.
Judges' Commentary
Brian Skerry: "This image has a beautiful, simple, elegance. The exposure is perfect with great light rays frozen with a fast shutter. The composition with the animal about two-thirds of the way down the frame is also very pleasing."
Monica C. Corcoran: "I love that this image is both simple and complex. The tight composition isolates the weedy seadragon against the brilliant blue of the water—this accentuates the creature’s otherworldly shape and amazing colors. The elements of sunlight and water—not to mention the seadragon eggs—represent the continuous cycle of life. This photo truly could be called 'Oceans’ Bounty'."
Brian Clark Howard: "The seadragon image is beautiful and provocative. As Brian Skerry mentioned, the lighting is fantastic, with the sunrays piercing through the blue water and bringing out the striking, unique colors in the animal. The fact that the seadragon is brooding is hopeful for the future, since the fish have seen stark decline in recent years, and they are rarely seen by swimmers or divers."
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RUNNER-UP
The Hunter
by Peter Allinson, M.D. of the United States
This was taken about 40 miles off the coast of Cancun in 6-8 foot seas. The sardines rise to the surface to spawn and the sailfish hunt them. In order to photograph them you need to keep up with the sardine bait ball that is trying to swim away from the sailfish. This is a photo of one of the sailfish hunting the sardines.
Judges' Commentary
Brian Skerry: "I really like the grace and gesture in this photograph. It captures a moment when the sailfish is hunting and has corralled the fish into a tight group and is about to move in. The overall composition is great as is the lighting."
Brian Clark Howard: "I think Brian Skerry put it best when he said the photo has great movement and artistry. Sailfish also are in decline, and they are long-lived animals that we know a surprisingly little about."
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RUNNER-UP
Sea Lion Mugshot
by Derek Bissell of Canada
During the winter and early spring we get large congregations of stellar and california sea lions around Vancouver Island. I took this shot a few weeks before the herring run when for some reason they were really playful and just wanted to interact with us when we dove with them. At times we would have up to seventy or so playing with us at once. As soon as the herring started to show up their behavior totally changed and they did not want anything more to do with us. I guess it was time to get down to business. This guy seemed to be mesmerized by the camera and wanted his photo taken.
Judges' Commentary
Monica C. Corcoran: "This photo is all about the connection between the photographer and the sea lion. Time stands still as you peer into those saucer eyes."
Brian Clark Howard: "This photo really draws you in, because the expression on the seal's face is priceless. It's hard not to anthropomorphize. The photo feels like a playful invitation to the underwater world."
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RUNNER-UP
Monuments of the Sea
by Jorge Alves of Portugal
Photo taken off with mr low in the bay D'Abra—Island of Madeira
Judges' Commentary
Brian Skerry: "This image has an otherworldly feel to it, with exceptional light and strong composition. A beautiful blend of land and sea."
Brian Clark Howard: "This dreamy photo is mesmerizing, and speaks tranquility and reflection. The colors are gorgeous, and the photo features lots of things to discover, from the sharpness of the rounded rocks in the foreground to the evocative features in the center and the distant horizon."
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RUNNER-UP
Sunbathing Starfish
by Paul Patrick Cruz of the Philippines
Found this starfish sunbathing on a shell trying to relax and enjoy the waves of Potipot Island.
Judges' Commentary
Brian Skerry: "A quiet picture that draws you into the scene the way the seastar clings to the shell and the gentle ripples from the tide lows over and around. The composition is also nice, being just off center."
Brian Clark Howard: "I like that this photo shows an epic battle in action, yet frozen in a calm, reflective moment. Starfish feed on clams, but it often takes them a long time to get to their prey. I love the subtle movement of the water around the figures and the serenity of the scene even as they are locked in a death-grip. From an ecological perspective, starfish and mollusks have often been out of whack thanks to myriad human interference. In some areas one population or the other has exploded."
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RUNNER-UP
Hello Booby
by Nat Sumanatemeya of Thailand
During our safety stop at 15 ft before back to surface near Darwin Island, I saw this booby floating on the surface and looking at me.
Judges' Commentary
Brian Skerry: "A fun and unique view of a sea bird and an image that is not easy to make. Compelling."
Brian Clark Howard: "I love this image, it's a lot of fun. The frame captures a wonderful moment in time, as a bird plunges into the watery world for a snack. His expression is priceless, and the color and movement of the water and his feathers draw one in. It's sharp as a tack and yet retains a fluid quality."
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RUNNER-UP
Serpula Worm
by Franco Banfi of Switzerland
Tube worm serpula vermicularis, between encrustating sponge, Spirastrella cunctatrix. Ponza Island, Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterranean
Judges' Commentary
Monica C. Corcoran: "Every time I look at this photo I notice something new—sponges, worms, water, sand—the frame is full of wonder."
Brian Clark Howard: "I love the colors and playfulness of this still-life image. Many people don't think of "worms" as interesting, but this shows they can be quite beautiful."
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RUNNER-UP
Ocean Spray along the Na Pali Coast
by Christopher Martin of Canada
Ke'e Beach is the northern most point accessible by road on Kauai's coastline. We were there to photograph the sunset on our last night on the island. The sun dipping into the water [reflected] off of the silhouetted cliffs of the Na Pali coast was truly magical. I was trying to capture the collisions when a large wave would hit the cliff face and while returning towards the water would then hit the next incoming wave. The energy was incredible and this wave is higher than sixty feet in the air given that the lowest cliff ledge in the picture was at least five feet above the water.
Judges' Commentary
Monica C. Corcoran: "A classic shot is made more dramatic with the light of the setting sun illuminating a massive wave from behind. The jagged rock cliffs mimic the wave face as the two meet with a roar."
Brian Clark Howard: "This photo has great movement, and captures the awe and power of nature. The sunset provides rich color."
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RUNNER-UP
Peak of Action
by Hansa Tangmanpoowadol of Thailand
Throughout the years, I have tried to capture the wonder of seagulls that escape from their land to Thailand at Bang Pu Seaside. Most of them come a long way—from China, Tibet, Mongolia and even Russia. They will eat more than usual to preserve energy which transforms into fat before flying the long journey back home. Seagulls will fly long distances—thousands of kilometers—nonstop. This photo is the best shot of my efforts.
Judges' Commentary
Monica C. Corcoran: "This is a perfectly captured moment. As the fish is snatched from the water, the seagull and its victim look each other in the eye. The water droplets hang frozen in air, levitating above the deep blue ocean."
Brian Clark Howard: "This striking image is razor sharp and beautifully captures the exciting moment of the catch. The color of the bird's feathers really pops against the deep blue water."
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RUNNER-UP
Sunset Shadows
by Kimball Andrew Schmidt of the United States
Searching for food at low tide, Del Mar, California, USA
Judges' Commentary
Brian Skerry: "Lovely golden light with great use of shadows. The placement of the seabird, small and off-center, draws the viewer into the frame and allows the eye to wander, taking in all the interesting shapes and details."
Brian Clark Howard: "The color and saturation of the beach scene is gorgeous, and it looks better the larger you blow the image up, revealing ever more textures. The lone bird provides an interesting and provocative subject."
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RUNNER-UP
Alien Hunt
by Alexander Semenov of the Russian Federation
Hunting Cyanea capillata. White Sea, Russia.
Judges' Commentary
Monica C. Corcoran: "An amazing underwater scene—or is it? This photo makes you do a double take. The spectacular jellyfish, the eerie green light at the surface and the black water combine to make a really unique image."
Brian Clark Howard: "This 'space' jellyfish is a bold, unique image that surprises and challenges me to view jellyfish in a new light. Jellyfish are taking over much of the seas, yet they are not well understood, and are an important part of the ecosystem. They are often called aliens of the deep because of their bizarre forms and complex lifecycles, and because they drift across the seas with little control. The juxtaposition with space in this photo is impossible to miss. The photo works as science and as art; it would do wonders on an album cover or in a gallery."
Our Esteemed Judges:
Brian Skerry — National Geographic Photographer, www.brianskerry.com.
Represented by National Geographic Assignment, www.nationalgeographicassignment.com
Monica C. Corcoran — Senior Photo Editor, National Geographic
Brian Clark Howard — Environmental Editor & Producer, National Geographic
Oceans Now
To celebrate World Oceans Day, La Mer has created a limited-edition Crème de La Mer jar and will make a $200,000 donation to Oceana, the world's largest international ocean advocacy organization, as well as other global initiatives for ocean conservation.
Los océanos en la actualidad
Para celebrar el Día Mundial del Océano, La Mer ha creado una edición limitada del tarro de Crème de La Mer y hará una donación de $200.000 a Oceana, la organización internacional defensora del océano más grande del mundo, además de otras iniciativas globales para conservar el océano.
海の現状
De Le Mer は、ワールド･オーシャンデー キャンペーンに合わせて限定クリームを発売。また海洋保全を目的としたグローバル規模のイニシアチブを支援するために、世界最大の国際海洋擁護団体オセアナに20万ドルの寄付をいたします。
바다는 지금
세계해양의 날을 기념하여 라 메르는 한정판 크렘 드 라 메르를 출시하였으며세계 최대의 국제 해양 보호 기구인 오시아나와 기타 해양 보호를 위한 국제적인 움직임을 위해 200,000달러를 기부할 계획입니다.
Tag des Meeres
La Mer hat anlässlich des „World Oceans Day“ einen Crème de La Mer-Tiegel entwickelt, der in limitierter Auflage erhältlich ist. Darüber hinaus wird La Mer die Kampagnen von Oceana, der weltgrößten internationalen Organisation zum Schutz der Meere, sowie weitere globale Initiativen zum Schutz der Meere mit einer Spende von 200.000 US-Dollar unterstützen.
现在的海洋
为了庆祝世界海洋日，海蓝之谜已创造出限量版海蓝之谜面霜瓶罐，并且会将20万美元捐赠给Oceana。Oceana是世界最大的国际海洋保护组织，还是其他海洋保护全球倡议者。
現在的海洋
爲了慶祝世界海洋日，LA MER海洋拉娜推出限量版海洋拉娜乳霜Crème de la Mer，並且會將20萬美元捐贈給Oceana -- 世界最大的國際海洋保護組織及其他海洋保護行動的倡導者。
Oceans Now
Pour célébrer la Journée mondiale de l’océan, Crème de la Mer lance un pot en édition limitée et s'engage à faire don de 200 000 dollars à Océana, la plus grande organisation internationale de défense des océans, ainsi qu’à d’autres initiatives mondiales pour la préservation des océans.
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Be Inspired by the Sea
La Mer is proud to support ocean conservation efforts worldwide. La Mer's World Oceans Day campaign seeks to raise awareness of the beauty and restorative power of the sea and to protect its valuable resources for future generations.
海から受けるインスピレーション
De La Mer は世界各地の海洋保護・保全活動を支援します。ワールド･オーシャンデー キャンペーンは、海の美しさと治癒力への認識を高め、未来の世代のために海の資源を守ることを目指しています。
Vom Meer inspiriert
La Mer ist stolz darauf, weltweite Initiativen zum Schutz der Meere zu unterstützen. Die Kampagne „World Oceans Day“ von La Mer zielt darauf ab, das Bewusstsein für die Schönheit und regenerative Wirkung des Meeres zu erhöhen und gleichzeitig seine wertvollen Ressourcen für künftige Generationen zu schützen.
受到海洋的啓迪
海洋拉娜對支持全球海洋保護工作深感自豪。海洋拉娜的全球海洋日活動力求提升對海洋的美容和修復魔力的認識，幷盡力爲未來人類保護海洋的寶貴資源。
受到海洋的啓迪
海洋拉娜 La Mer 對支持全球海洋保護行動深感榮幸，海洋拉娜的世界海洋日活動力求提升領略海洋之美及海洋蘊含無限肌膚修護力量的認知，以盡力爲下一代保護珍貴的海洋資源。
영감을 주는 바다
라 메르는 자부심을 가지고 전세계적 해양 보존 노력을 지원합니다. 라 메르가 참여하는 는세계 바다의 날 캠페인은을 통해 바다의 아름다움과 복원력에 관한 인식을 높이고 미래 세대를후손들을 위해 바다의 귀중한 자원을 보호하고자 합니다.
Inspirez-vous de la mer
Crème de la Mer est fière de soutenir les efforts de préservation mondiale des océans. La Journée mondiale de l'océan sensibilise l'opinion sur la beauté et les vertus réparatrices de la mer, et surtout à protéger ses ressources précieuses pour les générations à venir.
Encuentre inspiración en el mar
La Mer tiene el orgullo de apoyar esfuerzos de conservación del océano en todo el mundo. La campaña de La Mer por el Día Mundial del Océano busca generar conciencia sobre la belleza y el poder regenerador del mar y proteger sus valiosos recursos para las generaciones futuras.
