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In the realm of marine biology and underwater photography, a 21-year-old biologist named João Pontes has made a splash. Originally hailing from Algarve, Portugal, João recently secured an Honorable Mention in the Ocean Art 2022 Competition for his captivating macro photograph of a seabream, which was taken at Tremoços beach.
The photograph, taken while João was attempting to free a fisherman's entangled line, showcases the beauty of the marine world, while also revealing a pair of parasites attached to the seabream. This award-winning image was captured using an Olympus TG-6 Camera inside the Olympus PT-059 Underwater Housing.
A nature lover with a specific interest in marine animals, João fell in love with capturing the beauty of the micro world after taking this photo. In fact, he had only recently purchased his camera a week before the fateful day at the beach.
The Ocean Art 2022 Competition is a significant platform that engages youth in raising awareness about ocean conservation and climate change through artistic expression. It attracts a global response from young artists who creatively interpret critical marine environmental issues, such as the impacts of climate change on marine species, ecosystems, and human communities reliant on the ocean.
The competition encourages teenagers worldwide to explore and communicate complex topics like marine biodiversity, ecosystem balance, and the threats posed by climate change, thus fostering a deeper understanding and concern for ocean health among the younger generation.
In terms of recognition within the field of underwater and environmental photography, while the Ocean Art Competition primarily focuses on artistic interpretation rather than traditional photography, it stands alongside prominent environmental art contests that influence conservation dialogue and education.
The Honorable Mention serves as a great motivation for João to continue learning and improving his skills in underwater photography. His work can be seen further on his Instagram handle, @macrobridges, where he shares stories behind some of his most memorable photographs, including "A Happy Bunch," "E.T. the Extra Terrestrial," "Octopus Mother," "Melibe Nudibranchs," and "Hatching Octopus."
As João continues to capture the beauty and complexity of the marine world, he is not only contributing to the conversation around ocean conservation but also inspiring others to do the same. His work is a testament to the power of art and photography in raising awareness and fostering a deeper appreciation for our planet's oceans.
- João's behavior in rescuing a fisherman's entangled line led to an award-winning underwater photograph of a seabream at Tremoços beach.
- João's macro photograph of a seabream, captured using an Olympus TG-6 Camera inside the Olympus PT-059 Underwater Housing, showcases the beauty and parasites of the underwater world.
- João, a 21-year-old biologist, discovered his interest in capturing the beauty of the micro world after his winning underwater photography experience.
- The Ocean Art 2022 Competition encourages teenagers worldwide to delve into complex marine environmental issues, like marine biodiversity, ecosystem balance, and climate change impacts.
- The Ocean Art 2022 Competition promotes youth involvement in ocean conservation and climate change awareness through artistic expression.
- João's work, showcasing his learning journey and personal growth in underwater photography, can be seen on his Instagram handle, @macrobridges.
- João's photography, inspiring others to appreciate the beauty and importance of the marine world, is a significant contribution to the ocean conservation conversation.
- In addition to the Ocean Art Competition, other environmental art contests influence conservation dialogue and education, thus promoting home-and-garden, gardening, education-and-self-development, and personal-growth through online-education and learning platforms.
- João's underwater photography, representing colorful marine life in various settings like bluewater environments and nudibranch locations, displays his mastery over lighting and photography guide techniques.
- João's award-winning underwater photograph, combined with his Instagram stories, serves as a compact yet powerful educational resource for those interested in macro photography, marine biology, and ocean conservation lifestyle.
