NEW YORK: The 11th annual UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition crowned five winners, each from different countries, showcasing diverse ocean scenes. The announcement took place at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on June 7. Winners captured stunning moments like the Northern Lights in Norway and sardines evading predators off Baja, California.
The Photo Competition for UN World Oceans Day is a free-and-open public competition that calls on photographers and artists from around the world to communicate the beauty of the ocean and the importance of the respective United Nations World Oceans Day theme each year,” as per the UN press release.
The theme for UN World Oceans Day 2024 is “Awaken New Depths,” aiming to deepen our love for the ocean through winning photos. Judges selected first, second, and third place winners across five categories: Awaken New Depths, Underwater Seascapes, Small Island Developing States, Big and Small Underwater Faces, and Above Water Seascapes.
The judging panel included photographer Mohamed Rifshan Shaheem, Ian Bongso-Seldrup from DivePhotoGuide, underwater photographers Tom St George and Mayumi Takeuchi-Ebbins, and cave explorer Julia Gugelmeier. Ellen Cuylaerts, a wildlife and underwater photographer, curated the contest, with Meadow Walker, from the Paul Walker Foundation, announcing the winners.
Awaken New Depths
First place: “Bringing Up the Net” by Renee Grinnell Capozzola, USA, @rcapozzola
Second Place: Patrick Webster, USA, @underwaterpat
Third Place: “Guilding Fins” by Sina Ritter, Germany, @palms2peaks
