The annual competition Underwater Photographer of the Year rewarded on Sunday, February 11 in the United Kingdom, the most beautiful shots from the best underwater photographers. Tobias Friedrich-some of whose images have already been published in Dive! -wins the Photographer of the Year 2018 award thanks to a magnificent panoramic photo captured in the wreck of the ThThistlegorm in the Red Sea.
Nearly 110 photos were highlighted during this competition. They were divided into 11 categories, including three dedicated to British waters. The jury was composed of three great underwater photographers: Peter Rowlands, Martin Edge et Alex Mustard. Since 1965, this competition has rewarded the most renowned image hunters but also new talents. Besides the winners in each category, four general grand prizes were awarded this year (Photographer of the Year, British Photographer of the Year, New Talent, and New British Talent).
Discover all the awarded images from this 2018 edition:
Photographer of the Year 2018
Tobias Friedrich (Germany) for his panoramic « Cycle War ».
This image was taken in Egypt on the most famous wreck in the Red Sea: the Thistlegorm. It shows Norton 16H motorcycles loaded in Allied Fordson WOT 3 transport trucks, with a school of fish above. Friedrich says: « I had this image in mind for a few years, but it was impossible to capture it in a single photo because there is not enough space inside the wreck for that. My solution was to take a series of photos and then assemble them to create a panorama. »
The jury president, Peter Rowlands, adds: « It is an extraordinary shot. It not only requires the imagination to conceive of such an image but also the photographic talent to realize it. »
British Photographer of the Year 2018
Grant Thomas for his photo « Love Birds » taken in Scotland.
New Talent of the Year 2018
Man BD (Malaysia) for his photo titled « Roar »
New British Talent 2018
Tony Stephenson and his photo « How many pike? »
Wide Angle – Ambiance
1st place: Greg Lecœur (France)
2nd place: Fan Ping (China)
3rd place: Brook Peterson (United States)
Other photos commended by the jury:
Macro
1st place: Shane Gross
2nd place: Songda Cai (China)
3rd place: Kenji Cheow (Malaysia)
Other photos commended by the jury:
Wrecks
1st place: Tobias Friedrich (Germany)
2nd place: Gianni Pecchiar (Italy)
3rd place: Tobias Friedrich (Germany)
Other photos commended by the jury:
Animal Behavior
1st place: Filippo Borghi (Italy)
2nd place: Scott Tuason (Philippines)
3rd place: Greg Lecœur (France)
Other photos commended by the jury:
Portrait
1st place: Tanya Houppermans (United States)
2nd place: Mike Korostelev (Russia)
3rd place: Rodney Bursiel (United States)
Other photos commended by the jury:
Black and White
1st place: Borut Furlan (Slovenia)
2nd place: Sylvie Ayer (Switzerland)
3rd place: Santosh Shanmuga (United States)
Other photos commended by the jury:
Compact Camera
1st place: Simone Matucci (New Zealand)
2nd place: Jack Berthomier (New Caledonia)
3rd place: Ipah Uid (Malaysia)
Other photos commended by the jury:
New Talent
1st place: Man BD (Malaysia)
2nd place: Jacob Degee (Poland)
3rd place: Austin Ferguson (United States)
Other photos commended by the jury:
Wide Angle – British Waters
1st place: Grant Thomas (United Kingdom)
2nd place: Nicholas More (United Kingdom)
3rd place: Greg Lecœur (France)
Other photos commended by the jury:
Macro – British Waters
1st place: Henley Spiers (United Kingdom)
2nd place: Cathy Lewis (United Kingdom)
3rd place: Kirsty Andrews (United Kingdom)
Other photos commended by the jury:
Compact Camera – British Waters
1st place: Vicky Paynter (United Kingdom)
2nd place: Ian Wade (United Kingdom)
3rd place: James Lynott
Other photos commended by the jury: