Rosenstiel School Now Accepting Entries For Annual Underwater Photo Contest

2010 Best Overall was an image submitted by Luc Rooman of Kieldrecht, Belgium. The photograph depicts a rare, vivid image of two mating cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) photographed off the coast of The Netherlands.

Virginia Key, FL — February 24, 2011 — The University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science is proud to announce it is now accepting entries for its annual Underwater Photography Contest.  Since its inception in 2005, the contest has drawn several thousand entrants from across the globe, who have submitted more than 400 images per year. The deadline for submitting the images is midnight on Monday, March 28.

Judged anonymously by a panel a marine photographers and professors, photographs are divided in three separate categories: Fish or Marine Animal Portrait, Macro, Wide Angle, and the School will also recognize the best UM Student Submission and the Best Overall submission. The top prize is a trip on Blackbeard’s Cruises, departing from Freeport, Bahamas. (Trip prizes do not include gratuities, port taxes, Bahamas Underwater National Park Fees, gear rental, etc., and are subject to availability.) There will also be monetary awards for those finishing in 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place in each of the categories.

This underwater contest is open to all amateur photographers who earn no more than 20 percent of their income from photography. Eligible photos must not have been published or accepted for publication and must be the original work of the submitter. No pool or aquarium shots will be accepted.

The winner will be announced this year at the Rosenstiel School’s popular Sea Secrets Lecture on April 20. Sea Secrets is a free lecture series open to the public.  Kenny Broad, a professor at the Rosenstiel School, will talk about his global cave diving expeditions, a unique insight into fascinating and thrilling journeys. A reception and exhibit immediately after the lecture will take place on the Rosenstiel campus to recognize the winners of the 2011 Underwater Photo Contest.

To view past contest winners and complete contest rules, visit: http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/outreach/underwater-photography/

About the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School
The University of Miami’s mission is to educate and nurture students, to create knowledge, and to provide service to our community and beyond. Committed to excellence and proud of the diversity of our University family, we strive to develop future leaders of our nation and the world. Founded in the 1940’s, the Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science has grown into one of the world’s premier marine and atmospheric research institutions. Offering dynamic interdisciplinary academics, the Rosenstiel School is dedicated to helping communities to better understand the planet, participating in the establishment of environmental policies, and aiding in the improvement of society and quality of life. For more information, please visit www.rsmas.miami.edu.