Focusing in on the eyes of a subject brings another dimension to a photo. It helps the reader connect with the shot and gives underwater marine life more personality and flair. The submissions in the June Sport Diver Snapshots Underwater Photo Contest were no exception. Congratulations to Els Van Den Borre, who took the top honors this month with a stunning photo of a squid. Els won a sweet Gili Gear Bag Pro.

Here's a look at the winning photo and some of the shots that also blew us away this month.

JOIN THE FUN: Submit your best photo featuring patterns to our July contest

FIRST PLACE WINNING PHOTO

Judge's Comment: "The extreme crop and sharpness of this eye draw you in to explore the unique and beautiful details of this creature, its delicate patterning, the transparent nature of the eye and the variation in iridescent coloring."

RUNNER UP

Provided description: Eye of giant octopus with cleaning shrimp Anilao, Philippines

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Provided description: A seahorse found when diving at night in the Swan River of Western Australia.

Provided description: Schooling red squirrel fish keeping an eye on the underwater photographer. Taken in the Cayman Islands.

Provided description: I found this friendly sea lion pup playing in a small cave on the island of Espiritu Santo, Sea of Cortez. It stopped for a second as seemed to know how the pose for the camera.

Provided description: I encountered this very cooperative grouper in Little Cayman. He seemed very interested in his reflection from my dome port so I was able to capture this portrait just as the light rays were beaming in the background.

Provided description: A parrotfish and cleaner wrasse make eye contact with my camera on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

Provided description: A beaked shrimp shot taken off the Hawaiian island of Maui.

Provided description: Photo taken last May in Indonesia.

Provided description: Signal blenny photographed in Manzanillo, Mexico

Provided description: A mosaic moray comes out for a look. Poor Knights Marine Reserve, New Zealand.