Wonders of the Sea: Nature, Wildlife, and History in the 2024 Photography Contest Winners
The Beauty of the Italian Sea Honored: Here Are the Winning Images of “Life Above and Below the Sea” LIFE A-MAR NATURA2000
The second edition of the photography contest “Life Above and Below the Sea,” organized by Triton as part of the LIFE A-MAR NATURA2000 project, has awarded the best images that represent the most captivating marine and coastal sites in Italy. The contest, aimed at highlighting the biodiversity and beauty of the protected areas within the Natura 2000 Network, saw the participation of both professional and amateur photographers, showcasing shots that capture the essence and splendor of the Italian sea.
First Prize: Alessia La Porta took first place with a stunning image taken at the Vendicari Nature Reserve, Siracusa (ITA090002). The photo features a little egret (Egretta garzetta) in the foreground, accompanied by some black-winged stilts (Himantopus himantopus) in the background and the ruins of the ancient Vendicari tuna fishery, embodying the historical and cultural identity of this Natura 2000 marine site. The jury chose this shot for its ability to enhance the beauty of the reserve’s landscape and for its fortunate encounter with waterfowl. Vendicari, one of Sicily’s most enchanting places, is magnificently portrayed in this photo, which highlights its natural and scenic heritage.
Second Prize: Giovanni Miloro secured second place with an image capturing a pearly razorfish (Xyrichtys novacula) in the waters of the Noli – Bergeggi coastal site in Liguria (IT1323271). The quality of the image and choice of subject impressed the jury, since this species is not yet widespread in the Ligurian Sea and prefers warmer waters. The shot captures the typical behavior of the scallop fish, which is bound to sandy bottoms and able to hide in the substrate in case of danger.
Third Prize: Third place was awarded to Andrea Panozzo, the author of a uniquely styled shot taken at the Sos Pupos cliff in Bosa, Sardinia (ITB020041). The photo, titled “extraterrestrial landscape” by the photographer, is striking for the uniqueness of the coastal habitat and the stylistic choice to include the sea on the horizon in the shot as well, behind the volcanic rocks of the cliff. The image’s distinctiveness is further enhanced by the fact that it was taken with a smartphone, making this type of initiative accessible to a wide audience of sea enthusiasts eager to share its beauty.
Special Mention: A special mention was given to the photo titled “The Two Brothers,” taken at Vietri sul Mare, Salerno, on the Amalfi Coast (IT8050054). The image, created using a long-exposure technique, offers a captivating landscape representation that fascinated the jury with its quality and artistic effect.
The “Life Above and Below the Sea” contest continues to demonstrate the importance of photography as a tool for raising awareness and promoting the beauty of the Natura 2000 sites, underscoring the value of conserving Italy’s protected areas.