Announcing the Winners of the 2017 Marine Wildlife and Seascape Photo Contest

This summer, we asked all of you to submit your best photos to our 2017 Marine Wildlife and Seascape Photo Contest. We had a record breaking number of entries this year, and we couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you to everyone who submitted and voted—you helped make this photo contest a success!

From frolicking dolphins to jaw-dropping sunsets, your beautiful images amazed us (and the judges). After weeks of deliberation, our judges have spoken. Here are the winners from this year’s photo contest!

Judges’ Choice Winner: “On the Throne” by Natalie Bondarenko

[quote image=”22461″ name=”Kristin Hettermann” title=”2017 Photo Contest Judge” align=”right”]Absolutely fabulous shot! Technically speaking, you were able to capture so many different elements clearly, showing both the depth and number. Perfect use of lighting is evident. I’d love to know where this was taken! My guess would be Indonesia?[/quote]

People’s Choice Winner: “I Don’t Care What Your Friends Do, You’re Going to Listen to Me!” by Dave Taube

Humor Winner: “What? One More Photographer??? Noooooo!” by Natalie Bondarenko

Human Impact Winner: “Tangled: The Truth About Eastern Australia’s Shark Control Program” by Crystal Dombrow

Seascapes Winner: “Orange Over Blue” by Simon Ager

[quote image=”22464″ name=”Gabriel Barathieu” title=”2017 Photo Contest Judge” align=”right”]A perfectly realized photo. The balance of colors, composition. Everything is really perfect. A beautiful photo for the awareness of melting ice.[/quote]

Wildlife Winner: “Cuban Croc” by Jim van Gogh

Underwater Scenes Winner: “In the Hall of the Shrimp King” by William Goodwin

[quote image=”22455″ name=”Miriam Stein Battles” title=”2017 Photo Contest Judge” align=”right”]The creativity and execution of this photo literally blew me away. I love the scene of the shrimp inside of the sponge.  The placement of the light source and backlighting of the sponge creates a most interesting detailed view of sponge anatomy.[/quote]

Thank you again to everyone who participated in this year’s photo contest, as well as our panel of judges who made this contest possible! And a big thank you to B&H Photo, COOLA, Picaboo, Outerknown, and Rockflowerpaper for providing our fantastic prizes!