Making waves

Photography contest captures fragile beauty of marine life

Tel Aviv Cinematheque hosting exhibition of 40 out of 600 photographs submitted to Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel

By Sue Surkes

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11 June 2026, 1:26 am

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Sue Surkes is The Times of Israel's environment reporter

Yuval Tina's photograph 'Angel in Blue,' won first prize in a contest organized by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel. It depicts a giant devil ray swimming just above a swimmer in southern Israel's Gulf of Eilat, June 9, 2026. (Yuval Tina/Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel)
Gil Koplovitz's 'Meeting with an Alien' won second prize in a marine photography contest organized by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel. Shot in Eilat, it shows a young lobster holding a siphonophore, a relative of the jellyfish, June 9, 2026. (Gil Koplovitz/Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel)
Arik Zinger won third prize in a contest organized by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel for this photograph of bullrays in the Mediterranean Sea, swimming above a shipwreck, as a diver follows them, June 9, 2026. (Arik Zinger/Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel)
Amir Feierman's "Roaring Lion," (a play on the official name given to the second Israel, US war on Iran earlier this year, won special mention in a Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel marine photography contest for this picture of a sea slug under the pier in Eilat, southern Israel, June 9, 2026. (Amir Feierman/Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel)
Tomer Gilson's portrayal of a young octopus inside an empty tin can won him a special mention from judges in a marine photography competition organized by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, June 9, 2026. (Tomer Gilson/Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel)
This picture of a kayaker rowing above sharks in central Hadera won Gilad Topaz a special mention in a marine photography competition organized by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, June 9, 2026. (Gilad Topaz/Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel)

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel announced the winners of its “Israeli Sea” photo contest on Monday, publishing images of relationships between marine life and humans in Israel’s Mediterranean and Red seas.

Out of 600 photos submitted, 235 photos passed the threshold conditions, and 40 were chosen for a free exhibition in the lobby of the Tel Aviv Cinematheque, which will run until June 21.

The judges included award-winning nature photographer Amos Nachoum, former world windsurfing champion Lee Korzits, marine biologists Tal Idan and Tom Shlesinger (the latter also an award-winning nature photographer), and photographer Shadi Samara. More than 16,000 members of the public also cast votes.

First prize went to Yuval Tina, for “Angel in Blue,” depicting a giant devil ray swimming just above a swimmer in southern Israel’s Gulf of Eilat.

Second prize was awarded to Gil Koplovitz for “Meeting with an Alien,” also shot in Eilat. It shows a young lobster holding a siphonophore, a relative of the jellyfish.

Scooping third prize was Arik Zinger for his photograph of bullrays in the Mediterranean, swimming above a shipwreck, as a diver follows.

Special mention was given to three photos: Amir Feierman’s “Roaring Lion” seaslug (Hypselodoris infucata) under the pier in Eilat (the name was taken from the second Israel-US war on Iran earlier this year); Tomer Gilson’s portrayal of a young octopus inside an empty tin can; and a kayaker rowing above sharks in central Hadera by Gilad Topaz.

The contest, held to raise awareness, gave prizes of NIS 7,000, NIS 3,000, and NIS 2,000 (respectively, $2,360, $1,010, and $675).