See Award-Winning Underwater Photos From Around the World
These 13 photos were among those recognized by the Underwater Photographer of the Year contest, which showcases the best in underwater photography.
An intimate photo of an octopus swimming through shallow waters earned underwater photographer Gabriel Barathieu the Underwater Photographer of the Year award for his photo "Dancing Octopus." Barathieu's winning photograph was taken in a lagoon off the coast of the small island Mayotte in the Indian Ocean.
"The way it moves is so different from any predator on land," said competition judge Alex Mustard. "This truly could be an alien from another world.
Barathieu exercised an immense amount of patience to wait for the right shot, saying: “I had to wait for a low spring tide when the water was just 30cm deep (1 foot) so that the octopus would fill the water column. I got as close as possible with a wide angle lens to create this image, which makes the octopus look huge.”
Over 4,500 photographs from 67 different countries were entered into this year's contest. The competition is held by UPY London, which consists of judges experienced in underwater photography who convene to recognize the best in their field. This year's panel consisted of photographers Martin Edge, Alex Mustard, and Peter Rowlands, the latter of whom has published photos in National Geographic magazine. The contest was created as an offshoot of the British Society of Underwater Photographers, and thus has award categories specifically allocated for British citizens.
Photographer Nick Blake received the prestigious British Underwater Photographer of the Year award for this photo "Out of the Blue," taken in a freshwater sinkhole in Mexico. The sinkhole, Chac Mool Cenote, produced a spectacular light effect as the sun lit and reflected off the dark waters.
Blake said of his approach: "Underwater photographers can move freely in three dimensions, so I adjusted my position in the water to capture the symmetrical framing of the light beams by the rocks."
"I love the enclosure of the light within the cenote," said competition judge Martin Edge. "The composition contains all the sunlight so that the eye of the viewer cannot escape."
The contest's Up and Coming Underwater Photographer and Most promising British Underwater Photographer of the Year awards went to Horacio Martinez and Nicholai Georgiou respectively.
Several other photographers were recognized in the contest's other categories of wide angle, macro, wrecks, behavior, portrait, compact, and British waters wide angle. Winning images displayed a variety of underwater scenes from an intimate photo of a whale and her calf, to the wreckage of an aircraft sunk during WWII.
Click through the gallery to read more on how these photographers captured award-winning shots.
Related Topics
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- Orangutan seen using plants to heal wound for first timeOrangutan seen using plants to heal wound for first time
- What La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planetsWhat La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planets
- This fungus turns cicadas into zombies who procreate—then dieThis fungus turns cicadas into zombies who procreate—then die
- How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?
Environment
- What La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planetsWhat La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planets
- How fungi form ‘fairy rings’ and inspire superstitionsHow fungi form ‘fairy rings’ and inspire superstitions
- Your favorite foods may not taste the same in the future. Here's why.Your favorite foods may not taste the same in the future. Here's why.
- Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?
- The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?
History & Culture
- Meet the ruthless king who unified the Kingdom of Hawai'iMeet the ruthless king who unified the Kingdom of Hawai'i
- Hawaii's Lei Day is about so much more than flowersHawaii's Lei Day is about so much more than flowers
- When treasure hunters find artifacts, who gets to keep them?When treasure hunters find artifacts, who gets to keep them?
Science
- Why ovaries are so crucial to women’s health and longevityWhy ovaries are so crucial to women’s health and longevity
- Orangutan seen using plants to heal wound for first timeOrangutan seen using plants to heal wound for first time
Travel
- A slow journey around the islands of southern VietnamA slow journey around the islands of southern Vietnam
- Is it possible to climb Mount Everest responsibly?Is it possible to climb Mount Everest responsibly?
- 5 of Uganda’s most magnificent national parks
- Paid Content
5 of Uganda’s most magnificent national parks