11 Amazing Underwater Macro Photos from Sport Diver's April Photo Contest

Smaller was definitely better for the April Sport Diver Snapshots photo contest, as photographers from around the globe submitted their best shots. The contest theme for April was macro. Congratulations to Ana Cris Garcia, whose photo of a xeno crab from Anilao, Philippines, took the top prize. Ana won a $100 Ultralight Control Systems gift card with the photo. Take a look at the winning photo and some of the shots that also blew us away this month.

JOIN THE FUN: Submit your best macro photo to our May contest

FIRST PLACE WINNING PHOTO

Judge's Comment: The contrast between the rich black background and the color of the animal make this composition simple, but very effective. The repeating pattern, complementary colors and intense detail make for a dynamic macro image.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Provided description: Closeup of a peacock flounder's eyes. One eye migrates to the other side of the body during the process of metamorphosis as it grows from larval to juvenile stage. ... As a result, the eyes are then on the side which faces up.

Provided description: Juvenile frogfish protecting its tiny patch in Dauin, Philippines

Provided description: Banded jawfish at Blue Heron Bridge, Florida, USA ...105mm +10 smc

Provided description: Orange cup coral from Ewa Pinnacles. A rare treat to see it open in the daytime!

Provided description: I took this photograph of a beautiful harlequin shrimp perched on top of a blue sea-star whilst scuba diving at night in Lembeh in Indonesia.

Provided description: Diving off the Channel Islands, this little beauty was hanging on for dear life with the surgy day we had at Santa Cruz Island. Finally had a shot of its wonderful profile and that cute little blue peeper.

Provided description: Berry's bobtail squid (Euprymna berryi) at Seraya Secret, Tulamben, Bali, Specs: Canon G16, Fantasea Housing, Macro Lens, Flashlight Lighting

Provided description: A curious juvenile octopus living inside a discarded white wine bottle found during a dive at the Blue Heron Bridge in Florida.

Provided description: This little guy was looking at me from the bottom of a dive off of the Atmosphere Resort shore in Dumaguete, Philippines.

Provided description: Dusky jawfish shot with a Nikon 60mm macro lens and a Saga magic ball lens. His curiosity equaled mine, as it came up to within an inch of my lens. I think it looks hilarious.