In mid-November, in the charming town of Hyères-les-Palmiers, the eighth edition of the Galathea International Festival, dedicated to the marine world, took place. This event revealed the winners of its photo contest, where more than 110 competitors, divided into two categories — experts and amateurs —, presented approximately 1,200 images. These sea enthusiasts, coming from mainland France as well as from the island of La Réunion, Mayotte, Guadeloupe, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Greece, and Australia, once again highlighted the richness of underwater photography. The jury, chaired by Italian photographer Pasquale Vassallo (see Dive! No. 42), was dazzled by the diversity and quality of the works submitted.
Emotions captured underwater
Among the award-winning works, some particularly caught our attention. They stand out for:
- The light : Play of shadow and light illuminating the marine world.
- The atmosphere : Unique atmospheres that evoke deep emotions.
- The attitude : Moments of intimacy between the photographer and marine subjects.
Some images testify to the majesty of the depths, others capture the delicacy of a marine creature, while still others reveal the incredible spectacles that nature offers. Each photo invites us to look at our marine environment with admiration and respect.
Our favorites
At the editorial office, we selected some of these works that particularly moved us, beyond the jury’s deliberations. These images are a tribute to the beauty of the ocean and the fragility of its ecosystem. They remind us of the importance of preserving our underwater heritage.
This article, originally written by Isabelle Croizeau for the print edition of PLONGEZ!, was adapted for the web.
Opening image © Stefano Scortegagna.