Wanted: amateur photogs whose talented eye — or sheer luck — can catch the best underwater shots. Entries are now being accepted for the annual Underwater Photography Contest, sponsored by the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and
Atmospheric Science.

Professional photographers and marine scientists will judge entries, which must be submitted by midnight, Sept. 7.

Held since 2005, budding photographers, who cannot earn more than 20 percent of their income from photography to be eligible for the contest, have submitted photos taken across the world. Entries must also be original, unpublished works.

Prizes include a Bahamas cruise and cash for first to third prize winners.

Here are the five separate categories:

• Fish or marine animal portrait: Image that cap- tures a fish or marine animal.
• Macro: Image shot at close range with a macro lens or macro attachment. The subject must be captured in life size (1:1) or larger than life size (2:1, 3:1, 4:1, etc.) on the recording media.
• Wide angle: Image shot with a wide-angle lens (minimum of a 28° lens).
• Marine conservation: Image that show the inter- section of humanity and the natural environment in a positive or negative light. Shots must be underwater or over/under (waterline) shots.
• UM student: Image chosen by judges to be the best overall among submissions by currently enrolled University of Miami students.
• Best overall: Image chosen by judges to be best overall from all three categories.

To view past winners, contest rules and entry form, visit: www.rsmas.miami.edu/community-and-giving/outreach/underwater-photo-conte....