Ocean Views 2018: A Sweet Spot in Time

As part of the 2018 Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards annual competition, the Ocean Views category honors those photographers whose skill and creative vision have captured a frozen moment in time that can bring attention to both the bounty and fragility of the marine ecosystems found in and near our underwater world.

An extreme close-up view of the eye of a gray whale

Shooter: Jerome Kim

Part-time underwater photographer Jerome Kim exercises extreme precision when shooting images. Kim’s passion for underwater photography is fueled by his love of travel and desire to always seek out better images.

An orange emperor shrimp

Imaging the Intertidal Realm

Tide pools offer photographers a lot of variety — but the time frame to shoot them is small. Here are some techniques of how to maximize shooting tide pools f or optimal photos.

A close-up photo of a blue knobby sea star

Photography for a Cause

Photographer John Weller who was the primary visual architect of Ross Sea conservation. Weller documented sea life around this Arctic location.

Cute penguins waddle on ice

Another Way of Seeing

Underwater pool photography has become increasingly popular. With a dive approach in mind, read how one photographer tackles pool photography and still creates artistic photos.

A scuba diving photographer is behind the camera shooting a model who is holding her breath

Blackwater Diving

Divers can capture some breathtaking images when diving at night, but it can be a scary experience. Gain some great tips on nighttime underwater photography.

Larval mantis shrimp

Shooter: Burt Jones

Burt Jones changed the landscape at a piece of Indonesian underwater paradise called Coral Triangle. Read his story.

A child rows a canoe in the Solomon Islands

Ocean Views 2017

As part of the 2017 Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards annual competition, the Ocean Views category honors those photographers whose skill and creative vision have captured a frozen moment in time that can bring attention to both the bounty and fragility of the marine ecosystems found in and near our underwater world.

A group of king penguins go for a walk at sunset

Light in the Dark: Shooting Cenotes

Cenotes — deep, natural, water-filled limestone sinkholes — present challenges to photographers. However, with the right skills, you can capture breathtaking images.

Diver swims through impressive-looking Dream Gate Cenote formations

Shooter: Tanya G. Burnett

Tanya G. Burnett is an accomplished underwater photographer and dive professional. See her photography and read her story.

Three spotted dolphins swim in light-blue water