Underwater photography contests have long served as platforms for celebrating the beauty, mystery, and diversity of marine life. The 2011 Ocean Art Photo Contest was one of the most prominent underwater photography competitions globally, offering over $82,000 worth of prizes. Organized to promote marine conservation, creativity, and technical excellence, the competition attracted participants from all over the world. It challenged photographers to present the ocean's complexity through artistic lenses, pushing the boundaries of traditional photography by including behavior, super macro, and even fashion elements.
The Ocean Art contest emerged from the need to create a space where both amateur and professional photographers could share their love for the underwater world. Its categories were designed to reflect the broad spectrum of ocean life and photographic styles, from wide-angle reefscapes to intimate close-ups of rarely seen creatures. The diversity of submissions mirrored the diversity of the oceans themselves, making the contest a true representation of marine art and storytelling.
What made the 2011 contest particularly noteworthy was its dedication to inclusion. With categories for novices, compact camera users, and professionals, it encouraged broad participation. The judges recognized that talent does not solely reside in those with expensive equipment, and that storytelling and vision are equally important. The result was an eclectic mix of images that ranged from stunning manta ray encounters to tiny nudibranchs resting on coral.
Core Objectives and Judging Philosophy
The 2011 competition was guided by core principles that elevated it beyond a mere showcase of beautiful images. It emphasized originality, artistic impression, technical excellence, and the story behind the photo. Judges were selected not only for their photographic expertise but for their deep understanding of marine life and conservation. The panel included respected professionals like Marty Snyderman, Bonnie Pelnar, Martin Edge, and Tony Wu—each of whom brought decades of underwater photography and marine education experience to the table.
These judges evaluated thousands of submissions through a lens that appreciated storytelling, creativity, and moment capture. Rather than focus solely on lighting and composition, they looked for photos that told compelling stories about the natural world. Animal behavior, interactions between species, and unique lighting situations all played a significant role in determining winners. Judges were also particularly interested in photos that were ethically captured, avoiding any harm or disturbance to marine environments or animals.
One of the contest’s notable philosophies was the importance of supporting photographers who might not have access to professional equipment. By including separate categories for compact cameras and novice dSLR users, the contest ensured that talent could shine regardless of budget or experience. The competition’s organizers also made a conscious effort to remove barriers by offering extensive prize options, allowing winners to choose from a pool of gear, dive travel vouchers, and photography accessories suited to their interests and needs.
Artistic Categories Reflecting the Ocean’s Diversity
To accurately capture the multifaceted nature of ocean photography, the contest divided entries into multiple categories. These categories were not arbitrarily assigned but were carefully crafted to encourage specific types of photographic exploration. For example, the Wide-Angle category invited expansive, immersive seascapes and large animal encounters. Meanwhile, the Macro and Super Macro categories required photographers to work with meticulous detail and sharpness, often dealing with subjects smaller than a grain of rice.
The Marine Life Behavior category focused on capturing rare moments in the daily lives of aquatic creatures—such as hunting, mating, or parenting—requiring both patience and deep understanding of animal habits. The Portrait category emphasized emotion and expression, pushing photographers to anthropomorphose their subjects or find beauty in a close-up shot. Nudibranch and Coldwater categories highlighted often-overlooked ecosystems and creatures, bringing light to regions and organisms not often celebrated in mainstream media.
Each category encouraged photographers to pursue specific technical challenges. Coldwater photography, for example, demanded skill in low light and difficult conditions, while Super Macro required mastery of manual focus and lighting control. The Divers/Fashion category introduced an artistic human element into the ocean environment, asking photographers to treat the ocean as a studio and humans as expressive figures within it. This diversity of categories offered a comprehensive look at what ocean photography could be, and allowed judges to reward both technical prowess and artistic daring.
Behind the Scenes: Organizing and Managing the Competition
While the final results celebrated stunning photography, the behind-the-scenes work required to organize such a large competition was immense. Michael Zeigler, who helped coordinate the contest, worked closely with Scott Gietler to manage submissions, organize judging logistics, and correspond with sponsors. The contest ran on a global timeline, dealing with time zone differences, language barriers, and file handling across countries. Thousands of images had to be cataloged, categorized, and presented anonymously to judges to maintain fairness.
The organizers also dedicated time to promoting ethical practices. Submission guidelines emphasized the importance of not disturbing marine life and respecting habitats. Contestants were encouraged to submit photographs that did not involve staging, feeding, or handling animals. Educational content was included in communication to participants, highlighting the role of underwater photographers in marine conservation.
Prize distribution also required careful planning. Winners were contacted within two weeks to select from a curated list of gear, dive travel opportunities, and cash-equivalent vouchers. Sponsors played a critical role in making the contest rewarding, and organizers maintained strong relationships with companies and dive resorts worldwide to ensure the prize pool remained attractive and diverse.
Special thanks were extended to everyone involved—not just the winners and judges, but also the many photographers who submitted their work and the sponsors who supported the competition. Their contributions helped turn a simple photo contest into a global celebration of ocean beauty and a call to protect the marine world through art.
Best of Show: “Manta Madness” by Tobias Friedrich
The Best of Show winner was a striking image titled “Manta Madness” captured by Tobias Friedrich. Taken in the Maldives, the image presented an overwhelming scene of grace and fluidity as manta rays moved through blue water with synchronized elegance. The photograph stood out for its perfect timing, wide-angle composition, and the surreal beauty of the moment it captured.
Friedrich’s use of natural light, coupled with the precise angle at which the mantas were photographed, made the scene feel immersive and almost dreamlike. The photograph did not rely on artificial color enhancements or over-editing. Instead, its strength lies in the natural arrangement of light, movement, and subject.
This image won the admiration of all the judges for its technical perfection and artistic depth. It communicated more than beauty—it evoked emotion, curiosity, and wonder, aligning perfectly with the contest’s vision.
Wide-Angle Category: Capturing the Vastness of the Ocean
The Wide-Angle category invited photographers to show the grandeur and scale of the ocean world. Again, Tobias Friedrich led this category with his award-winning image “Manta Madness.” What set his photo apart was the ability to showcase both movement and harmony in an underwater ballet that felt intimate despite its wide field.
Other entrants in this category showcased vibrant coral reefs, swirling schools of fish, and interactions between divers and marine animals. These images had to balance foreground and background composition while controlling light across expansive areas. Often shot in natural light or with wide-angle dome ports, these photographs demanded precision and a deep understanding of oceanic environments.
The best images in this category made viewers feel as though they were part of the underwater scene. Through exceptional use of perspective, light beams filtering through the surface, and careful subject placement, photographers created a visual narrative that transported viewers into the marine world.
Marine Life Behavior: Nature’s Most Intimate Moments
This category celebrated dynamic, fleeting interactions that revealed something deeper about the creatures of the sea. Nataliya Chervyakova took first place with her photo “Hunting Leopard Seal,” captured in Petermann Island, Antarctica. The image showed a leopard seal mid-hunt, its body posture radiating motion and predatory intensity.
Behavioral photography is among the most challenging genres in underwater work. It requires a deep understanding of the species, patience to wait for the right moment, and the skill to photograph moving subjects in changing water conditions. Chervyakova’s image managed to tell a complete story in a single frame—a predator in its element, commanding attention and respect.
Other top entries in this category depicted moments such as parental care, feeding rituals, symbiosis, and even combat. One photo showcased a cleaner shrimp inside the gills of a grouper. Another highlighted a pair of octopuses engaging in what appeared to be a territorial dispute. These photos did more than depict marine life—they revealed the personality, intelligence, and complexity of underwater creatures.
Marine Life Portrait: Faces of the Ocean
Luis Miguel Cortes Lozano’s winning image “Twins,” taken in the Canary Islands, won first place in the Marine Life Portrait category. It featured two creatures positioned symmetrically, giving the impression of mirroring each other. The lighting, expression, and positioning made it more than a simple portrait; it became an exploration of form, pattern, and emotion.
Portraits in this genre aim to bring viewers face-to-face with the subjects. A good portrait often humanizes marine life, creating connection and empathy. By using sharp focus, isolated backgrounds, and controlled lighting, photographers capture features like eyes, texture, and body language that reveal the character of their subject.
Lozano’s image was noted for its clarity and symmetry. The identical position of the creatures added visual balance and a touch of surrealism. It invited viewers to consider individuality and identity in the underwater world, where so many species are still misunderstood or undiscovered.
Other notable portraits included intense close-ups of eels, groupers, and cuttlefish. Some photographers played with contrast and monochrome, focusing on expression rather than color. These images made people stop and observe, not just glance.
Macro Category: A World in Miniature
The Macro category celebrated the delicate beauty of small marine creatures. Anders Salesjö claimed first place with “Backswimmer at Surface,” taken in a Swedish lake. The photograph, centered around a small aquatic insect, demonstrated exceptional clarity, unusual subject matter, and creative use of surface tension and reflection.
Macro photography pushes the limits of underwater optics and lighting. It often involves focusing on subjects just millimeters in size, making camera stability, lighting angles, and sharp focus crucial. What made Salesjö’s image compelling was not just the detail but the storytelling—the way the insect’s legs touched the surface of the water and the reflection created a mirror-like scene.
Other top entries featured shrimp, pygmy seahorses, and nudibranchs, shot in tropical regions like Indonesia and the Philippines. The common thread among all successful macro images was a sharp focal point and an interesting setting. Some photographers used bokeh techniques to isolate the subject, while others incorporated vibrant coral backdrops.
These macro photos celebrated the richness of life at a scale often missed by the naked eye. They reminded viewers that the smallest inhabitants of our oceans play essential roles in the ecosystem.
Super Macro: Extreme Details and Tiny Subjects
The Super Macro category took things a step further, requiring photographers to focus on subjects smaller than a thumbnail. Patricia Gunderson won first place with “Just a Little Guy,” a portrait of a juvenile Spiny Lumpsucker near Seattle, Washington. The photograph showed the tiny creature in rich detail, including texture, pattern, and the translucence of its body.
Super macro photography often involves the use of diopters, extreme close-up lenses, and custom lighting rigs. It is a technical genre that leaves no room for error. Gunderson’s image stood out for its soft lighting, clean composition, and emotional appeal.
The subject appeared almost cartoonish in its innocence, making the photo both scientifically interesting and artistically delightful. The judges praised the photo’s ability to turn an obscure creature into a captivating personality.
Other photos in this category showed sea slugs, fish larvae, and crustaceans magnified to show eye facets, scales, and intricate color patterns. The best images balanced artistic framing with biological accuracy.
Nudibranchs: Colorful Wonders of the Sea
Salvatore Ianniello’s photo “Che Bel Riparo” won the Nudibranch category. The image showed a vibrant nudibranch perched atop a feather duster worm in the Mediterranean Sea. The juxtaposition of the two creatures created an image filled with texture, contrast, and balance.
Nudibranchs are often a favorite subject for underwater photographers due to their vivid coloration, unique shapes, and slow movement. But capturing them in compelling compositions is not always easy. Ianniello succeeded by placing the subject in a creative environment and using lighting that enhanced natural colors without over-saturating them.
Other standout images showed nudibranchs in unusual settings—feeding, mating, or crawling over colorful sponges. These photos were more than portraits; they told mini-stories about interaction, color theory, and the importance of microhabitats.
This category brought attention to a frequently overlooked group of animals. Despite their small size, nudibranchs play key roles in reef ecosystems. Their beauty and diversity made them perfect ambassadors for ocean conservation.
Coldwater Category: Discovering Beauty Beneath the Ice
The Coldwater category opened the lens to ocean environments often excluded from traditional tropical imagery. Lill Haugen’s first-place photo, titled “Frozen Fjord,” taken in Oslo, Norway, captured the haunting tranquility of icy waters. This image showcased a chilling underwater landscape draped in subdued colors and soft lighting, offering a completely different mood from the vibrant blues and neon hues found in warm-water scenes.
Coldwater photography poses unique challenges. Divers must operate in frigid temperatures with heavy drysuits, thick gloves, and often lower visibility. Camera gear must also withstand colder conditions and deliver accurate colors under lower light conditions. Haugen’s image succeeded in demonstrating how artistry can flourish even in stark, cold ecosystems.
Beyond just technical skill, her image offered a visual meditation. There was a softness to the composition, a balance between shadow and detail that made the viewer linger. In many ways, it defied the assumption that beauty in underwater photography requires color saturation. Instead, it used minimalism and mood to convey a deeper emotional tone.
Other photographers in this category showcased kelp forests, anemones clinging to rocks, or close-ups of species like wolf eels and coldwater crabs. These subjects revealed that coldwater ecosystems are equally complex and visually rewarding, though they demand more persistence and endurance from the photographer.
Divers/Fashion Category: Human Presence in an Alien World
The Divers/Fashion category invited photographers to blend artistic human imagery with underwater surroundings. Steve De Neef took first place with “Jenjen,” photographed at Apo Island in the Philippines. The image presented a freediver gracefully floating among vibrant coral formations, her body language and flowing fabric accentuating the curves and currents of the ocean.
Underwater fashion photography merges multiple disciplines—posing, styling, lighting, and free diving. The ocean becomes a dynamic set, with currents moving clothing, hair, and light. De Neef’s image captured serenity and elegance, using both the human figure and the natural backdrop in perfect harmony.
This type of photography demands coordination and trust between the photographer and the model. Unlike staged portraits in studios, the diver must appear natural and expressive while holding their breath and maintaining composure underwater. The photographer, meanwhile, has to manage framing, timing, and technical settings, all while floating and adjusting for movement.
Other successful entries in this category employed divers in silhouette or models framed in sunbeams. Some used props, colored fabrics, or creative wardrobe to add a sense of surrealism or narrative. The best images didn’t just place a person underwater—they used the water to express emotion, movement, or contrast.
This category showed how underwater photography can intersect with fine art, fashion, and conceptual design. It expanded the potential of ocean imagery by illustrating how humans can be both alien and harmonious within marine environments.
Compact Wide-Angle Category: Big Impact with Small Cameras
Jannik Pedersen’s winning image, “Diving in the Beautiful Cenotes of Mexico,” stood out for its extraordinary use of light and space, all captured with a compact camera. The photo featured a diver exploring a cenote, with light streaming in from an opening above. The play between shadow, sunbeam, and human silhouette created an almost spiritual composition.
This category was dedicated to photographers using compact systems, proving that impressive results don’t require the most expensive gear. Compact cameras, when handled well, can capture wide-angle scenes with clarity and richness. Pedersen’s photo utilized the natural lighting in the cenote to elevate the moment, requiring minimal post-processing or artificial light.
Photographers in this category had to overcome limitations such as slower autofocus, smaller sensors, and less control over exposure. However, many embraced these limitations creatively. They got closer to their subjects, chose simpler compositions, and let the natural beauty of their environment carry the image.
Other entries included reefscapes, shark encounters, and schooling fish, all taken with compact rigs. Some photographers used fisheye or wide-angle conversion lenses to increase their field of view, showing their adaptability and technical know-how.
The overall message of this category was clear: skill, vision, and patience outweigh the gear in a successful photograph. Compact users stood shoulder to shoulder with DSLR photographers, and in some cases, even surpassed them in visual impact.
Compact Macro Category: Small Subjects, Big Stories
Jackie Campbell earned first place in the Compact Macro category with a remarkable photograph titled “Hairy Stare,” featuring a Hairy Frogfish taken in Lembeh, Indonesia. This portrait captured the frogfish’s quirky features with exceptional clarity and focus, drawing attention to its eye, texture, and character.
Macro with compact cameras requires patience and a deep understanding of focus and lighting. Campbell’s success lay in her ability to frame a small subject without distractions, using subtle lighting to bring out its fine details. The frogfish’s expression gave it a character that viewers connected with instantly.
Compact macro photography presents specific challenges: limited depth of field, slower lens response, and difficulty achieving sharp focus in moving water. Many successful photographers in this category turned these limitations into strengths by simplifying compositions, using single strobe setups, and waiting for moments of stillness.
Other notable photos showed shrimps, blennies, nudibranchs, and juvenile fish with impressive precision and creativity. The top entries consistently demonstrated a deep engagement with the subject—understanding not just its appearance, but its habitat, behavior, and how to best present it in a frame.
This category illustrated how storytelling through photography isn’t dependent on expensive tools. With focus, patience, and an eye for detail, compact shooters brought life to small creatures and hidden marine worlds.
Compact Marine Life Behavior: Documenting Interaction and Intelligence
In the Compact Marine Life Behavior category, Adrian Kaye claimed first place with an image titled “Jengafish,” featuring a tight school of juvenile striped catfish taken in Koh Tao, Thailand. The photograph conveyed movement, organization, and a glimpse into the social life of marine creatures.
Behavioral photography with a compact camera requires an instinct for timing. Kaye’s image excelled by showing coordination among the fish, with lines and patterns that mimicked architectural design—hence the name “Jengafish.” It was both artistic and scientifically interesting.
Photographers in this category focused on dynamic moments—predation, feeding, symbiotic relationships, and mating. Unlike portrait or macro photos that require stillness, behavior shots demand anticipation and adaptability. Compact cameras add an extra layer of challenge due to slower response times and smaller sensors, but many photographers compensated through positioning, lighting, and scene awareness.
Other entries included anemonefish fanning eggs, a crab cleaning itself, and cleaner wrasse performing their duties. These small-scale interactions reminded viewers of the intricate relationships within reef ecosystems. They made the ocean feel alive—not just filled with colorful animals, but teeming with narratives, decisions, and cooperation.
This category highlighted the role of underwater photographers as naturalists. By capturing these fleeting behaviors, they contributed to marine awareness and education in ways words could not. They encouraged deeper respect for the intelligence and adaptability of ocean life.
Novice dSLR Category: Emerging Talent and Fresh Vision
The Novice DSLR category allowed aspiring underwater photographers to showcase their developing skills using entry-level digital single-lens reflex cameras. First place went to Tony Cherbas for his image “Narcissus,” taken in Guam. The photograph showed a fish examining its reflection on the underside of the water’s surface, creating a surreal and introspective composition.
Cherbas’s image was a compelling combination of technical control and visual storytelling. The symmetry of the subject and its reflection created a feeling of quiet observation. The lighting was subtle yet effective, drawing the viewer’s eye to the key elements without distraction.
Photographers in this category demonstrated impressive control over exposure, focus, and composition. Many images featured colorful reef scenes, intriguing subjects like gobies on coral heads, and abstract patterns made by jellyfish and plankton. Though the photographers were less experienced, their submissions often carried raw creativity and bold experimentation not always found in more polished professional work.
This category encouraged new photographers to grow in confidence. It proved that great underwater images could be captured early in a photographer’s journey, especially when fueled by curiosity and a strong connection to the ocean. Judges appreciated the energy and passion evident in the compositions, even when technical execution was still evolving.
Honorable Mentions: Recognizing Diversity and Excellence
The 2011 Ocean Art Photo Contest included a wide range of Honorable Mentions. These images, although not placed in the top ranks, were recognized for their exceptional quality, creativity, or emotional impact. The organizers made it clear that honorable mentions were not ranked but selected based on their merits.
Some honorable mentions stood out for their technical achievements—such as photographing bioluminescent plankton in open water, or capturing a rare animal behavior never before documented. Others were praised for artistic bravery: strong use of contrast, silhouette compositions, or unconventional framing.
Images from various parts of the world were included—from icy fjords in Scandinavia to coral-rich atolls in the South Pacific. This diversity emphasized the global reach of the competition and the universality of underwater photography as a language that transcends culture and geography.
Many photographers who received honorable mentions were entering their first major competition. Receiving recognition encouraged them to continue honing their craft, and in some cases, opened doors to future publications, collaborations, or gallery exhibits.
These mentions celebrated the wide spectrum of talent, perspective, and vision. They were reminders that every image captured in the ocean has value—not only as a piece of art but as part of a larger movement to understand and protect marine environments.
The Role of Sponsors and Prize Distribution
The success of the 2011 Ocean Art Photo Contest was made possible through the generous support of sponsors who donated over $82,000 in prizes. These included underwater photography equipment, dive travel packages, and accessories for photo editing and gear protection.
Winners were allowed to choose their prizes in order of placement, which gave them the flexibility to select what suited their interests, needs, and shooting styles. This model of prize distribution added a personal touch to the competition, showing respect and appreciation for each participant’s unique journey.
Beyond the material rewards, these sponsors played a vital role in connecting the photography community. Many winners built lasting relationships with equipment manufacturers or dive resorts. These connections sometimes led to ambassadorships, gear testing opportunities, or educational collaborations.
Sponsors were not simply commercial contributors—they were active members of the ocean conservation and photography community. Their involvement reinforced the contest’s mission to elevate marine awareness through art and technology.
The Community Spirit: Judges, Organizers, and Entrants
The 2011 contest was marked by strong community engagement and shared passion for underwater photography. The judging panel, comprised of Marty Snyderman, Bonnie Pelnar, Martin Edge, and Tony Wu, brought integrity, professionalism, and a broad range of expertise. They spent countless hours reviewing images, debating nuances, and ensuring fairness in every decision.
Scott Gietler and Michael Zeigler, who organized the contest, worked behind the scenes to ensure a smooth submission process, clear communication, and respectful coordination with participants from around the world. Their dedication helped turn a photo competition into a global celebration of marine imagery.
Participants, regardless of placement, were part of a creative and conservation-oriented community. Many shared their stories, techniques, and challenges, fostering a spirit of learning and camaraderie. The contest served as a platform not just for competition but for growth, dialogue, and inspiration.
Conclusion: Art, Ocean, and Impact
The 2011 Ocean Art Photo Contest was more than a showcase of beautiful images—it was a testament to the power of photography to inspire, educate, and advocate for the ocean. Through thousands of submissions, it captured moments of wonder, intimacy, and revelation beneath the waves.
Each category reflected a different facet of the ocean’s character—from wide-angle shots showing majestic mantas to extreme close-ups of fragile larvae. The winning photographs told stories of life, behavior, and adaptation. They reminded the world of the complexity and beauty of marine ecosystems and of the need to protect them.
This contest also demonstrated that underwater photography is not reserved for professionals with elite equipment. Talent, patience, and creativity were found across all levels—from compact shooters to first-time dSLR users. The inclusive structure of the competition gave a voice to diverse artists and perspectives.
The legacy of the 2011 Ocean Art Photo Contest lives on not just in the images it celebrated, but in the conversations it sparked, the careers it launched, and the awareness it raised. It showed that when art meets the ocean, powerful things happen—and the world above the surface takes notice.