Danny Ocampo, an ocean protection campaigner, is being honored for his underwater photograph titled “Fish Tornado” in the 2017 Sony World Photography Awards.
Ocampo’s winning photograph showing the schooling behavior of the Big eye trevally fish living in marine protected Dimakya Island in Busuanga, Palawan has been included in the Top 50 commended works in the Open Wildlife Category.
The environmental conservationist being recognized as one of the commended photographers together with the shortlisted photographers in the different competition categories.
The Oceana campaign manager, charged with leading protection efforts in Taňon Strait between Negros and Cebu Islands, is one of the six Filipinos being commended in the largest world photography tilt which boasts of 227,596 images submitted from 183 countries.
Ocampo told media, “This recognition given to me by the Sony World Photography Awards hopefully will give me more opportunities to share my underwater images and promote my advocacy for responsible and ethical underwater photography.”
"I don’t usually have time to join photography competitions and I choose those that factor in responsible and ethical practices, especially for diving and underwater photography wherein manipulation has become the norm most of the times," added the licensed divemaster and powerboat driver, and contributor to travel and adventure magazines.
Ocampo’s photo will be included in the digital exhibition at the Sony World Photography Awards and Martin Parr 2017 exhibition in Somerset House, London from April 21 to May 7.
