The Underwater Photographer of the Year contest shows us each year the underwater photography winners, whose images show a fabulous range of wildlife, environments and archaeological finds that we can find under the waves. Because, while the waves can churn and sunlight dance on the water, the most interesting activity occurs below the surface.
Every year thousands of underwater photographers from all corners of the world, including China, Europe, the US and Bermuda, participate in the contest. This year, the contest has received a total of 5,500 images from up to 70 countries around the globe.
In 2018 the grand prize was awarded to German photographer Tobias Friedrich for his striking “Cycle War” image, in which we see a wreck filled with submerged World War II motorcycles and supply trucks, with schools of soldiers patrolling above.
In 2019, the winner made no less impact with his snapshots. Richard Barnden (United Kingdom), was chosen as Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019 thanks to his captivating image titled “The Gauntlet”.
In 2020, the honor of being named the undisputed winner of the Best Underwater Photographer of the Year award has gone to photographer Greg Lecoeur for his image of crabeater seals in Antarctica. This image also won in the Wide Angle category.
Judge Peter Rowlands described Lecoeur as: “A deserved and unanimous winner combining photographic beauty, composition, exquisite light and delicate colors. The perfect poses of the seals make this a celebration of natural life and a more lasting image.”
The contest, which has been held since 1965 focusing on this fascinating underwater kingdom, has a series of underwater photography categories including: Wide Angle, Macro, Wrecks, Behavior, Portrait, Black and White, Compact or Wide Angle. In total, there are 13 categories.
You can see the winning images from this year’s pageant below, including an octopus with a soccer ball and a curious seahorse, selected from this year’s 125 finalist photos.
Enjoy the aquatic world of the planet in all its splendor with these underwater photographs.
