Photos: Photography contest uncovers underwater treasures
Anemone-wielding crabs, a curious piglet, and a shark contemplating a snack claim prizes in University of Miami's underwater photography contest.
Boxer crabs
In the last few years, the consumer camera market has exploded. As technology advances and prices drop, casual photographers can increasingly get their hands on nifty features previously affordable only to professionals. One example is a growing number of cameras (and camera casings) that can go underwater and come out unscathed, which has opened up a whole new world to hobbyist photogs.
The University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science recently held its annual amateur underwater photography contest. Winners were named in three categories--wide angle, macro, and marine animal portrait. Awards were also given for the best contributions from University of Miami students.
This photo, taken in Indonesia by Marchione Giacomo, won best overall photo in the contest. It shows two boxer crabs (Lybia tesselata) ready for a fight. The crabs defend themselves by carrying tiny stinging sea anemones in their claws.
Banded jawfish
Pygmy seahorse
Molly Miller blenny
Scarlet-striped cleaning shrimp
French angelfish
Caribbean reef squid
Mandarin fish
Pig in Exumas
Oceanic whitetip shark
Pumpkinseed
Sperm whale with remora
Ready to pick out your own underwater shooter? CNET News reporter Stephen Shankland recently wrote about several new rugged, waterproof cameras on display at the Photo Marketing Association show in Las Vegas.