The winners of the Our World Underwater 2014 Photography Competition have been announced. Best in Show and Wide-Angle Unrestricted Gold was awarded to Sumer Verma with a stunning images of a turtle hatchling.

Winners were announced live on stage during the Our World Underwater film festival in Chicago (February 14 & 15, 2014), and will be published by supporting media partners worldwide. $50,000 in prizes were awarded to the winners, who represented more than 15 countries. Congratulations to all the winners and, as always, it is great to see so many members of the Wetpixel community in the placings.

As with all UnderwaterCompetition.com events, 15% of entry proceeds will be donated to marine conservation efforts. The judges and staff at DivePhotoGuide.com and Wetpixel.com congratulate all the participants - the level of imagery was outstanding.

Best of Show and Wide-Angle Unrestricted.

“A journey begins” by Sumer Verma from India. Shot in the Lakshadeep Islands.

Macro Traditional.

“I love Sonia!” by Michele Davino from Italy. Shot at Elba Island, Italy.

Macro Unrestricted.

“Jellyfish Nausithoe punctata” by Fabien Michenet from French Polynesia. Shot 3 miles off the coast of Tahiti Island by night.

Wide-angle traditional.

“jellyfish” by Hani Bader from Bahrain. Shot in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Compact.

“tadpoles” by Bert Willaert from Belgium. Shot in Lovendegem, Belgium.

Commercial, conceptual and fashion.

“Temple of of the Sun” by Shawn Heinrichs of the United States. Shot in Tonga.

For the full report with all the winning and honorably mentioned images, please visit the UnderwaterCompetition.com website