National Marine Sanctuaries Photography Competition Adds New Categories To Broaden Ocean Storytelling
The eleventh annual competition now welcomes photographers focused on human interaction with marine environments alongside traditional wildlife categories
WASHINGTON The National Marine Sanctuaries photography competition has introduced four new categories for its eleventh annual edition, expanding beyond traditional wildlife and underwater imagery to welcome photographers documenting human interaction with marine environments and coastal landscapes.
What The New Categories Actually Cover
The expanded competition structure now accommodates photographers with different perspectives and connections to the water, including those focused on coastal landscapes, underwater scenes, wildlife photography, and images capturing human engagement with marine settings such as surfing, fishing, and coastal recreation.
Why Organizers Expanded The Competition Structure
Competition organizers said the broadened category structure reflects a recognition that meaningful ocean storytelling extends beyond traditional wildlife photography, encompassing the full range of ways people connect with and depend upon marine environments.
Connection To Broader Marine Conservation Goals
The National Marine Sanctuaries program has historically used photography competitions as a tool for building public engagement with marine conservation issues, and the expanded categories are intended to draw participation from a wider range of photographers who may not have previously seen a natural fit within the competition’s traditional wildlife-focused framework.
Who Is Eligible To Participate
The competition remains open to photographers across skill levels and backgrounds, with submission guidelines specifying the technical and thematic requirements for each of the newly introduced categories alongside the contest’s established wildlife and landscape divisions.
What Comes Next For Entrants
Photographers interested in submitting work will need to follow the competition’s specific guidelines and deadlines for the current cycle, with winning images typically featured in subsequent public engagement and educational materials produced by the sanctuaries program. Further coverage of ocean and surf culture continues at bohiney.com.
SOURCE: https://bohiney.com
