I’m honored to announce the winners of Ocean Conservancy’s 2024 Photo Contest. This year we received hundreds of beautiful, inspiring and heartbreaking photo submissions. And I’m so grateful for every photographer who sent in their images and the record-breaking number of voters like you who helped pick our category winners.
This year, we decided to let the Ocean Conservancy team get in on the fun, too. While you and our expert panel of judges were voting for your favorites, so were our staff. Without further ado, I present your 2024 Ocean Conservancy Photo Contest winners!
Staff Choice Winner: Tentacle Tango by Kyla McLay
Learn more about Kyla McLay: Kyla’s Website | Kyla’s Instagram
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The lighting and composition of this shot really create a sense of movement and elegance. The image really gives me a sense of charisma and character around the octopus, as if it is indeed gracefully dancing. And the smooth, gentle background helps keep the focus on the subject.
Nicholas DeNezzo
2024 Ocean Conservancy Photo Contest Judge
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Human Impact Winner: Antisustrato by Mariano Rodriguez
Learn more about Mariano Rodriguez: Mariano’s YouTube Channel | Mariano’s Instagram
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Direct human impact like shown in this photo is always thought provoking. Images like this one should remind us to do better.
Max Holba
2024 Ocean Conservancy Photo Contest Judge
Marine Wildlife Winner: “Nature’s Embrace” by Angela J. Farmer
Learn more about Angela J. Farmer: Angela’s Website | Angela’s Instagram
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Beautiful light and composition. I like how the dark background contrasts sharply with the lighter, textured wood and the seal’s smooth fur, highlighting the subject.
Rachel Moore
2024 Ocean Conservancy Photo Contest Judge
Spectacular Seascapes Winner: The Cave by Pier Nirandara
Learn more about Pier Nirandara: Pier’s Website | Pier’s Instagram
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This is such an amazing photo, framing this one moment in time that melds the Earth above with the sea below, the human diver coming up for air while the school of fish carries on below. The lighting and composition really bring it all together, and it tells me such a story of interconnectedness between our world above and their watery world below. Even the angling of the light, as it expands from a small point above, to a wider angle below, really highlights the vastness of the underwater world.
Nicholas DeNezzo
2024 Ocean Conservancy Photo Contest Judge
The Grand Prize – Judge’s Choice Winner: A Silent Wake Up Call by Joaquin Fregoni
Learn more about Joaquin Fregoni: Joaquin’s Website | Joaquin’s Instagram
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What our expert panel of judge’s had to say:
This is a hard photo to look at… the message here is very clear.
Nicholas DeNezzo
2024 Ocean Conservancy Photo Contest Judge
Simply stunning. Thought provoking, sad but beautiful at the same time. Symbolic for the state of our ocean. The very dark blue almost black colour of the sea creates a depressing initial ambience, the light-coloured skin tone of the whale creates a feeling of hope. However, the whale’s injury reminds us that perhaps hope (for the ocean) is slowly fading away, time is running out. I believe shocking images like that are super important to raise awareness for Ocean Conservancy.
Max Holba
2024 Ocean Conservancy Photo Contest Judge
I think the subject is profoundly impactful. This image evokes a deep sense of empathy and sadness. The depiction of a whale with a broken jaw serves as a powerful symbol of the damage human activities can inflict on marine life. The whale’s gaunt frame and evident suffering tell a heart-wrenching story of pain and desolation. This visual narrative compels the viewer to reflect on the consequences of maritime encounters and the urgent need for ocean conservation. The composition is striking, with the whale’s emaciated frame and fractured jaw as focal points. The contrast between the whale and the dark blue water highlights its frail state, adding depth and emotional weight to the image.
Rachel Moore
2024 Ocean Conservancy Photo Contest Judge
How You Can Help
Here at Ocean Conservancy, we know that all animals deserve a healthy and clean ocean for their homes. Check out our Action Center to see how you can help protect our ocean so marine wildlife can thrive.
The post Announcing Ocean Conservancy’s 2024 Photo Contest Winners appeared first on Ocean Conservancy.
