From a synchronized ballet of white-tip reef sharks to the moment a male Cardinal fish releases a swarm of freshly-hatched babies from its mouth, the winning underwater photos of the Ocean Art Photography Contest are a revelation of our oceans’ beauty. This year's contest, which is organized by the Underwater Photography Guide , broke records with participants from more than 90 countries entering their best underwater photos across 14 categories. “From mesmerizing macro shots of marine birth to dramatic wide-angle scenes of cenotes and reefscapes,” the organizers explain, “the winning photographs highlight the beauty, fragility and diversity of underwater ecosystems while inspiring global conservation efforts.
Every winning photograph tells a story of perseverance and connection to the ocean.” A remarkable black-and-white image (below) entitled “Dancing White Tips,” taken in Mexico by photographer Eduardo Labat was selected as the overall ‘Best in Show’ picture of this 13th annual underwater competition . The sharks' swirling bodies in Labat's image provides a fascinating contrast between the water, the animals' bodies and the white tips of their fins.
This strong composition also won the Black & White category. Underwater Photos Overall Winner “It was our last dive of the day, in the afternoon with sunlight fading at Roca Partida, Revillagigedo, Mexico,” Eduardo Labat recalled. “Most white tip sharks congregate in small groups at various ledges throug.
