Large Sea Creatures Under the Water

This image definitely makes our top 10 because you were staring the angel shark right in the eye. It embodies the spirit of the competition. It's an interesting perspective to photograph a shark in this manner; the depth of field in this image is excellent.

Like some of the other top photos, your clarity is outstanding. It's impossible to tell whether you were diving or taking the picture at an aquarium because it was shot ever so clearly. Your depth of field is perfect and the details of the face including the eye and the whiskers make this an excellent photo.

This is the perfect shot of a whale shark that many underwater photographers aspire to. Specifically, a frontal image and looking upward to show the subject in the best light, given how light will dissipate underwater quite quickly. You were able to capture the front of the shark eating the plankton.

The shot's clarity is outstanding despite the object being in motion with bubbles coming from it. This picture is good on so many levels. Your depiction of the seal wanting to play seems accurate and, in that sense, an excellent capture.

Your photo had many of the key qualities we look for in an underwater photo. First being proper lighting and focus underwater. We ask, “did the photographer look up while taking the picture to achieve a better lighting effect on the subject, given how light dissipates at depth?” Lastly, you were able to capture the image all while not scaring away the creature.

This is a complex photo with many layers and degrees of photographic excellence. You have captured not only the giant sea creature but also the silhouette of the people standing in awe while watching the show. Adding to the moment are the fish on top of the shark swimming in the opposite direction.

Impressively, you managed to avoid the glare from shooting aquarium photos.

This is an excellent capture of the stingray in motion. Getting a straight shot at these is quite challenging, but this angle is excellent. You caught it at the perfect time.

Your photograph is crisp, in focus, and well-lit. Not much more to ask for such an image.