Amazing Underwater Photos of Ocean Creatures
Check out these incredible images by photojournalist Brian Skerry, and help select which photographs will appear in an upcoming exhibit
- By K. Annabelle Smith
- September 06, 2012, Subscribe
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Learn more about the ocean from the Smithsonian's Ocean Portal. |
(Brian Skerry )
Photojournalist Brian Skerry has taken photos for National Geographic for the past 14 years and counting. His photographs are the focus of a new exhibit scheduled for early next year at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. One of these photos will be selected as the visitors' choice for the exhibit. Vote early and often, as the polling closes on November 4.
Skerry photographed this school of endangered Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Spain. The species is caught in the wild and fattened in pens for harvest—usually with unsustainable methods.
“Bluefin tuna are easily one of the most magnificent animals on the planet,” Skerry says. “They grow their whole lives. But we’ve gotten more efficient at killing and harvesting them. Stocks are down an excess of 90 percent from where they were 20-30 years ago.”
Vote for this photo to appear in the Natural History Museum’s Portraits of Planet Ocean exhibit, set to open in February 2013!
Comments (15)
I love to see the bright colours of coral reefs and cannot bare the thought that in most parts of the world the bright colours are faded through from pollution and over fishing.
Posted by Saskia Jacobs on November 1,2012 | 04:28 PM
hi people i love animals and bacon!!!!
Posted by lucy welsteam on October 9,2012 | 09:59 AM
awsome
Posted by Justin on October 3,2012 | 08:57 AM
They're all beautiful!
Posted by Mike on September 18,2012 | 02:51 PM
The pup looks like he is inviting the photographer to come and play. The animation in the pup's eyes seems to show the viewer that he is relaxed and is very curious about the photographer. I liked the composition of the photo.
Posted by Alice E. Thompson on September 14,2012 | 09:44 AM
I picked the manatee over the great hammerhead, because these animals are exsisting so closely with humans that is seems of great importantance to learn to harmonize with them, to then do the same for the great hammerhead.
Posted by Jeni Baity on September 14,2012 | 09:32 AM
The face of underwater sea creatures! Please use it! And thanks for this beautiful gallery of photos!
Posted by Judith deRancourt on September 13,2012 | 07:20 PM
This is a miraculous and beautiful photo! Please use this photo to help us (me, too) learn about this remarkable creature! How beautiful!
Posted by Judith deRancourt on September 13,2012 | 07:17 PM
Belugas are helping spread the word about whaled! A generationof kids are growing up on the song and book, "Baby Beluga." Both are loved by kids and their elders alike! Use this great photo, please! This remarkably portrays the Beluga as I've rarely seen, if ever, in a photo.
Posted by Judith deRancourt on September 13,2012 | 07:15 PM
Whatever teaches about the vital importance coral reefs play should be used in the exhibit!
Posted by JudithdeRancourt on September 13,2012 | 07:10 PM
Using this photo will foster more of an understanding of what "endangered" truly means.
Posted by Judith deRancourt on September 13,2012 | 07:08 PM
This amazing photo belongs in the exhibit! So moving!
Posted by Judith deRancourt on September 13,2012 | 07:06 PM
I couldn't vote for only one! Absolutely magnificent!!! These encouraged my 3 sons to take a closer look. I vote for a Smithsonian calendar... Christmas gifts anyone!
Posted by Rebeka Knowlton on September 13,2012 | 03:43 PM
A beautiful body of work. As a photographer, I am in awe of the skill and patience required to capture such stunning images. As a human being, I am grateful that others share the exquisite beauty and perfection of our planet by capturing images most of us will never have the opportunity to see first hand. Thank you.
Posted by Donna on September 13,2012 | 09:41 AM