The Los Angeles Underwater Photography Society, or LAUPS, just hosted their 50th annual international photo competition.  You heard that right, 50 years!  

The Best of Show prize went to Eduardo Acevedo of Tenerife, Spain with his image "Stars & World".  

Eduardo Acevedo, Tenerife, Spain, "Stars & World"

There were more than 500 entries in this year's competition with entrants from more than 20 countires including Europe, Asia, the Americas and the South Pacific.  

Prizes for the contest were sponsored by Crystal Blue Philippines, Eco Divers Lembeh, Naia, Rocio Del MAr, Tawali, Wakatobi, and Yap Manta Divers.  Head to the LAUPS Website for a full list of winners.

1st Place Macro: Tony Cherbas, "Needles"

The winners of each category were:

• Wide-angle: Eduardo Acevedo, "Stars & World"
• Macro: Tony Cherbas, "Needles"
• Behavior: Ximena Olds, "Octopus Eggs"
• Cold Water: "Allison Vitsky Sallmon, "Kelp Drifter"
• Compact Cold Water: Stephen Holinski, "Prawn"
• Compact Macro: Oliviero Giorgio Pulido, "Lembeh"
• Compact Wide: Karoly Szabo, "Patrol"
• Video Edited: Mike Boom, "Charmed"
• Video Raw Footage: Walter Marti, "Octomoms Tussle"

1st Place Behavior: Ximena Olds - "Octopus Eggs"

It was judged by Jason Bradley, Ering Quigley and Chris Gugliemo

Jason is a nature and underwater photographer based in Montery, California, and is a self-taught photographer with a dynamic portfolio consisting of land and seasapes, wildlife, portrature, and conservation issues.

Erin Quigley is an award-winning underwater photogrpaher, video editor and createor of GoAskErin.com, which provides custom online tutorials and one-on-one instruction specifically developed for the underwater community.

Regarded as one of America's foremost underwater photographers, Chris Guglielmo, aka. "Gug", has been making waves in the art scene for well over a decade and runs his own fine art gallery in Fort Lauderdale.

1st Place Compact Macro: Oliviero Giorgio Pulido - "Lembeh"