2013 Ocean Art Best of Show, by Viktor Lyagushkin
The prestigious Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition, organized by the Underwater Photography Guide, has announced the 2013 winners. This year's Ocean Art Competition attracted a very high caliber of photos, representing entrants from over 50 countries.
Over $80,000 of prizes will be awarded to 64 underwater photographers, highlighted by an 18-night dive trip package combining 4 nights at Walindi Plantation Resort, a 10-night trip on the MV FeBrina and 4 nights at Loloata Resort. Platinum prizes included a trip of the winner's choice with Waow Charters in Indonesia, an 11 day Indonesia trip on the SMY Ondina, a 10-night Komodo trip on the S/Y Indo Siren, Oceanic OCi computers for 4 separate winners and gift certificates from Bluewater Photo and Bluewater Travel. Premium prizes are provided by Lissenung Island Resort, Bilikiki, Nautilus Swell, Villa Markisa, Sea Safari Cruises, Kosrae Nautilus Resort, Atlantis Dive Resorts, Mike Ball Dive Expeditions, Alor Divers, Eco Divers, Ikelite, Lions Dive & Beach Resort, AquaMarine Diving, Juliana's Hotel, Sea Saba, Maluku Divers, Blackbeard's Cruises, Acquapazza, I-Torch, Recsea and many more.
This year's judges included prestigious underwater photographers Tony Wu, Martin Edge, Marty Snyderman and Todd Winner.
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 under the ice by Victor Lyagushkin in Russia. Other outstanding images include a freediver swimming into a massive bait ball, the crisp details of a hairy shrimp, a dugong grazing, a pelagic octopus, remarkable nudibranchs and a hunting sailfish. 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.
Judging was very difficult due to the high quality of so many images. World famous underwater photographer and contest judge Tony Wu said, "Judging the competition this year was extremely challenging. We saw high-caliber images from many talented photographers and the judging team spent a lot of time selecting the final images. Congratulations to all the winners."
Winning photos can be seen on the Underwater Photography Guide at http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/2013-ocean-art-contest-winners.