An evocative photograph showing a freediver examining the impact of whaling allowed Swede Alex Dawson to be named Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024.
The photo « Whale Bones » by Alex Dawson triumphed over 6,500 underwater images submitted by photographers from around the world. « It was photographed in the most challenging conditions« , explains jury president Alex Mustard, « as a freediver descends beneath the Greenland ice cap to witness these carcasses. The composition invites us to reflect on the impact we have on the great creatures of this planet. Since the appearance of man, the number of wild animals has decreased by 85%. Today, only 4% of mammals are wild animals, the remaining 96% being man and his livestock. Our way of living needs to change to find a balance with nature« .
Underwater Photographer of the Year is an annual competition, based in the United Kingdom, celebrating photography beneath the surface of oceans, lakes, rivers, and pools, attracting entries from around the globe. The competition has 13 categories, testing photographers on themes such as macro, wide angle, animal behavior, and wreck photography, along with four categories for photos specifically taken in British waters. The winners were announced at an awards ceremony organized by The Crown Estate in Mayfair, London. This year, the UPY jury comprised photographers Peter Rowlands, Tobias Friedrich, and Alexander Mustard.
Whales and rarely photographed species in the spotlight
This year, whales dominate the rankings. Spanish photographer Rafael Fernandez Caballero (whose portfolio you will find in issue 49 of Plongez!) won two categories with his photos of these ocean giants: a close-up of a gray whale’s eye and a photo of a Bryde’s whale engulfing an entire bait ball, both taken in Magdalena Bay, Baja California, Mexico.
American photographer Lisa Stengel was named « Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 » for her image of a mahi-mahi catching a sardine in Mexico. She used a very fast shutter speed and her hearing to capture the moment. « If you listen, there’s a lot of sound in the ocean« , she explains. « The action was too fast to see, so I focused on the sound of the attacks with my camera to capture this special moment.«
« Underwater photography is experiencing an exciting period, as photographers capture amazing new images by visiting new sites and using the latest cameras« , commented judge Alex Mustard. « Until this year, I’d hardly ever seen a photo of a mahi mahi, while Lisa captured one hunting, an action that happens in the blink of an eye« .
The UPY contest is based in the United Kingdom, and Jenny Stock was crowned British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 for her image « Star Attraction, » highlighting the beauty of often overlooked British wildlife species. Exploring the west coast of Scotland, Jenny Stock explains: « In the dark green depths, my torch spotted the vibrant colors of a living carpet composed of thousands of brittle stars, each with a different pattern. I was happily taking photos when I spotted this purple sea urchin« .
Portuguese photographer Nuno Sá was named ‘Save Our Seas Foundation’ Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year 2024, with his photo « Saving Goliath, » taken in Portugal. His photo shows beachgoers trying to save a stranded sperm whale. It gives us hope that people care about the oceans, but it also warns us that greater changes are needed. « The sperm whale had been struck by a ship and its fate was sealed« , explains Nuno Sá. « An estimated 20,000 whales are killed each year, and many more are injured after being struck by ships, and few people realize this happens« .
Wide Angle
1st prize and Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 – Alex Dawson (Sweden) – Whale bones
Image taken in Greenland.
« In eastern Greenland, local hunters bring their catches and share amongst themselves. Out of a stable population of over 100,000 minke whales in the North Atlantic, Tasiilaq hunters usually take fewer than a dozen. The whale is brought ashore at high tide and many families gather to cut up the skin, blubber, and meat at low tide. Nearly all of the whale is consumed, but the skeleton is returned to the sea at the next high tide, and the remains can be found in shallow waters where various marine invertebrates and fish clean the bones.
Jury comments
« Photographed in the most challenging conditions, a freediver descends beneath the Greenland ice cap to witness the whale slaughter. This masterful composition invites me to reflect on the impact we have on the giant creatures of this planet. Since the advent of man, the number of wild animals has decreased by 85%. Today, only 4% of mammals are wild, with the remaining 96% made up of humans and their livestock. Our way of living needs to change to find balance with nature« .– Alex Mustard
« A very striking image from the start; for me, it grew larger and better with each viewing. The combination of the diver and the torch gives an alien visiting look, the effortless composition leads the eye the right way to tell the story. Heading the category and now heading the tree. Congratulations and it was a pleasure to spend time with this image« .
– Peter Rowlands
2nd prize – Remuna Beca (United States)
Image taken in the Bahamas.
3rd prize – Rodolphe Guignard (France)
Image taken in the Bahamas.
Macro
1st prize – Talia Greis (Australia) – An abstract portrait of a Potbelly Seahorse
Image taken in Australia.
« I was drawn to this particular seahorse because it had distinctive markings around its eye and its stunning color palette stood out against the surrounding coral. While seahorses are not uncommon at Sydney dive sites, I had always dreamed of photographing one that truly stands out. I chose to open the aperture to f/3.5, which turned the coral into a blurry cloud effect but also embraced the green, eerie waters of summer diving in Sydney. For me, the striking red eye of the seahorse and its posture convey the power and strength emanating from the smoky depths of the ocean« .
Jury comments
« We appreciated how the photographer captured the secretive seahorse’s character and Sydney’s murky waters in this photo, using excellent light, striking color contrast, and inventive composition. Very beautiful photo !«– Alex Mustard
2nd prize – Dennis Corpuz (Philippines)
Image taken in the Philippines.
3rd prize – Byron Conroy (Iceland)
Image taken in Indonesia.
Wrecks
1st prize – Martin Broen (United States) – Chieftain Tanks
Image taken in Jordan.
« With a group of exceptional photographers, I had the honor of being invited to participate in the first underwater photo contest in Aqaba, Jordan, one of the highlights of which is the underwater military museum. An unusual spectacle of war machines submerged between 15 and 28 meters deep and lined up along the reefs in tactical combat formation.
I wanted to capture the symmetry of the Chieftain tanks and the strong presence of their 120mm cannons, but the angle from which I could take this image with my fisheye lens was occupied by a military ambulance. So I experimented with a 6-photo panorama from a point between the cannons, allowing me to recreate the virtual position farther back and achieve an elegant symmetry of the tanks, supported by the central focal point of my diving companion at the back« .
Jury comments
« I really liked this photo and still do. The choice of panorama – position and lens – emphasizes the barrels and the model with two torches could be a support helicopter. The skill with panoramas is imagining the final result. This powerful image works on multiple levels, and it was my favorite in this category and overall. In these troubled times, it is comforting to see the war machine used for peaceful purposes« .– Peter Rowlands
2nd prize – Becky Kagan Schott (United States)
Image taken in the United States.
3rd prize – Fabi Fregonesi (Brazil)
Image taken in Brazil.
Animal Behavior
1st prize – Rafael Fernandez Caballero (Spain) – The End Of A Baitball
Image taken in Mexico.
« I had the chance to experience this unique spectacle in the open waters of the Pacific, in Magdalena Bay, at the end of 2023. Due to this year’s warmer waters, caused by the « El Niño » climatic phenomenon, more species than ever joined this hunt. The bait balls attracted various predators, but the main stars of the show, visiting Baja in greater numbers than ever, were the Bryde’s whales. They patrol the waters, seeking bait balls to fill their stomachs with hundreds of kilograms of fish. This photo shows the exact moment of the attack, with the whale’s ventral pleats wide open and filtering water with its baleen after gulping down hundreds of kilos of sardines in one gulp – simply unforgettable« .
Jury comments
« Absolutely breathtaking! The pose and composition are perfect, at the height of the action, with sunlit reflections. This image stood out and we never tired of admiring it. Great subject, great image, great winner« .Peter Rowlands
2nd prize – Jing Gong Zhang (China)
Image taken in Japan.
3rd prize – Brooke Pyke (Australia)
Image taken in Australia.
Portrait
1st prize – Rafael Fernandez Caballero (Spain) – Grey Whale Connection
Image taken in Mexico.
« Encounters with gray whales in the salty lagoons of the Pacific are extremely special. Known for their friendly and curious nature, gray whales often approach boats, allowing observers to witness specific behaviors such as spyhopping. This photo was taken from the boat, where the whale displayed a friendly gaze towards my camera, resembling a human look of curiosity and innocence. During their migration from the Bering Sea to Baja California, these lagoons serve as crucial refuges and winter nurseries. With only about 1,300 gray whales remaining, responsible ecotourism practices are essential for protecting these giants. These privileged moments highlight the beauty and intelligence of whales, creating lasting memories for observers and, of course, for the curious whales themselves« .
Jury comments
« Few people have ever looked into the eye of a whale, but thanks to this remarkable image, many will glimpse this intelligent soul. A groundbreaking underwater portrait« .– Alex Mustard
2nd prize – Jon Anderson (United States)
Image taken in the United States.
3rd prize – Suliman Alatiqi (Kuwait)
Image taken in Thailand.
Black and White
1st prize – Jasmine Skye Smith (Australia) – Water Dancers
Image taken in Australia.
« This image comes from a creative shoot for my first underwater portrait exhibition « Underneath. » I challenged myself to step out of my comfort zone and push myself creatively. I contacted girls from a synchronized swimming team for a photo shoot and booked the heated diving pool since it was our winter. I expected to use the 3-meter deep section, but at the last minute, we were told we could use the 5-meter section, which was fantastic for playing in such a controlled environment but also presented the challenge of a sloping edge at the bottom, proving very difficult to keep my black backdrop in place with the weights I usually used. The two 6x3m backdrops only stayed in place for a few minutes before coming loose – and this is one of the magical captures from that short time« .
Jury comments
« Black and white! A minimalist composition inviting us to compare and contrast the two halves of this intriguing frame. Fantastic teamwork between the photographer and the two elegant models« .– Alex Mustard
2nd prize – Matty Smith (Australia)
Image taken in Australia.
3rd prize – Serge Melesan (France)
Image taken in Mayotte.
Compact Camera
1st prize – Enrico Somogyi (Germany) – Nudi on Fire
Image taken in Bali.
« This photo of a nudibranch (Hypsolodoris apolegma) with an emperor shrimp on its head was taken in Tulamben. To create the fire-shaped background, I built a special tool and it took a long time to make it work. But in the end, I got the photo I was looking for« .
Judge’s comments
« This photo has it all. A nudibranch on eggs, a shrimp on top, all in a burst of golden light. Enrico once again shows that having a compact camera is not a hindrance to producing stunning underwater images ».Alex Mustard
2nd prize – Enrico Somogyi (Germany)
Image taken in Indonesia.
3rd prize – Ilaria Mariagiulia Rizzuto (Italy)
Image taken in Egypt.
Up & Coming Photographer
1st prize and Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 – Lisa Stengel (United States) – Window of Opportunity
Image taken in Mexico.
« The moment of ambush in the blur of the dodge! This photo captures the instant of the attack.
We had an exciting week searching for bait balls which offered us many opportunities. The unique water temperatures this season kept the marlins away but caused an interesting phenomenon: an unprecedented amount of mahi mahi. I chose not to wear a hood and noticed a distinct noise coming from the bait ball every time the mahi tried to reach a target. If you listen carefully, you’ll find there’s a lot of noise in the ocean, especially around bait balls. I focused on the sound of the mahi’s attacks and followed this unmistakable sound with my camera. This technique, combined with fortuitous conditions, gave me the chance to capture this special moment.
Judge’s comments
« WHAT A MOMENT! This is a phenomenal action photo, capturing a high-speed chase at the decisive moment. It is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable images in the contest, and we appreciate how Lisa used all her senses to capture this incredible photo« .– Alex Mustard
2nd prize – Sarah O’Gorman (Egypt)
Image taken in Egypt.
3rd prize – Bryan H. Blauvelt (United States)
Image taken in Indonesia.
Wide Angle British Waters
1st prize – Kat Zhou (United States) – Divebomb
« I took this photo during a diving trip with the gannets in the Shetland Islands. The experience of being amidst the diving birds is both chaotic and full of adrenaline, making it difficult to choose where to aim my camera! I tried to photograph all the passing birds and was pleasantly surprised to later find this photo was able to represent the dynamic motion of the experience« .
Jury comments
« The eyes of these gannets diving into the cold waters in search of food reveal an amazing determination. The judges also liked these bubble rings showing the energy the birds exert during this underwater hunt« .Alex Mustard
2nd prize – Kirsty Andrews (United Kingdom)
3rd prize – Rick Ayrton (United Kingdom)
Macro British Waters
1st prize and British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 – Jenny Stock (United Kingdom) – Star Attraction
« Loch Leven is a Scottish dive site located near Oban, easily accessed from a rest area on the A82. Once there, you simply descend a steep, verdant path to be in the « refreshing » water. As I descended into the dark green depths of the loch during a twilight dive, I approached an area where my torch revealed the vibrant colors of a living carpet of thousands of brittle stars.
Captivated by the variety of hues and patterns of each star, I felt as if I was having an incredible encounter with a species I had never seen before. I was joyfully taking photos when I spotted this purple sea urchin, which really thrilled me. A dominant star next to this graphic invertebrate created a wonderfully balanced pair, perfectly surrounded by a tangle of brittle stars in the background« .
« Jury comments
« This is a very festive British image in many ways – a full-frame carpet of vibrant, healthy marine life with complementary colors, well composed and highly original. Subtlety is a gamble in contests, but this one paid off and charmed all the judges« .Peter Rowlands
2nd prize and Most Promising British Underwater Photographer 2024 – Sandra Stalker (United Kingdom)
3rd prize – Sandra Stalker (United Kingdom)
Man and the Sea in British Waters
1st Prize – Kirsty Andrews (United Kingdom) – Bottled Blenny
« Butterfly blennies naturally choose abandoned whelk shells for shelter, but they seem to be quite creative. On the seabed of the River Fal, amidst beautiful pink maerl, many have chosen to use discarded glass bottles for shelter. Not wanting to waste« .
Judge’s comments
« Cute and full of character, this rare blenny is perfectly framed in its new home inside a glass bottle, with startling eye contact that draws our attention.. »Alex Mustard
2nd prize – Kirsty Andrews (United Kingdom)
3rd Prize – Lewis Jefferies (United Kingdom)
Compact Camera in British Waters
1st Prize – Jon Bunker (United Kingdom) – Catshark in Bootlace
« In the summer, sea lace (Chorda filum) can sometimes cover the pebbles overlooking the Chesil Cove reef entirely. Dozens of small-spotted catsharks, cuttlefish, young conger eels, and other nocturnal predators patrol this seasonal « jungle, » happy to snack on whatever comes their way. This sleeping catshark, as you can see, wasn’t quite sure what to make of me, cautiously peeking through the grasses to determine if I was a threat or food. While it pondered, I managed to play a bit with my strobes to try and cast some light through the early summer algae braids. My subject allowed me three shots before slipping into the night.« .
Jury comments
« A delightfully observed and well-lit image of an iconic British subject, more often photographed in open water, but this image has a much stronger photographic appeal and I would have captioned it « Food or Foe ». The story confirms it quickly decided on foe.« .Peter Rowlands
2nd Prize – James Lynott (United Kingdom).
3rd Prize – James Lynott (United Kingdom)
Marine Conservation
The Save Our Seas Foundation sponsors this category. Since 2003, it has been dedicated to the protection of life in our oceans, especially sharks and rays. It supports passionate and innovative researchers, ecologists, and educators worldwide by funding their projects and helping them share their scientific and environmental missions.
1st Prize and ‘Save Our Seas Foundation’ Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year 2024 – Nuno Sá (Portugal) – Saving Goliath
Image taken in Portugal.
« The golden beaches of Costa da Caparica, across the river from Lisbon, were packed with tourists on that sunny day. That’s when something unusual drew their attention on the horizon. An enormous sperm whale seemed to have difficulty swimming as it slowly made its way towards the shore. Soon, its gigantic and injured body passed beyond surfers and swimmers, reaching the shallow waters of the beach. But suddenly, dozens of sunseekers began running towards the whale. Together, they pushed and chanted to try to help the giant back to sea, as it slowly flapped its tail back and forth and breathed heavily. Several hours later, the whale took its last breath, its body collapsed from gravity, lying on the sand. It’s estimated that 20,000 whales are killed each year, and many more are injured after being struck by ships, and few people realize it happens« .
Judge’s comments
« This category isn’t meant to be easy to look at, but it features a pleasant visual element that creates a sense of assurance until I read the caption and discover that all those hopes and efforts, on both sides, came to nothing. It’s sad, so sad, but it works on multiple levels« .Peter Rowlands
2nd Prize – Lewis Jefferies (United Kingdom)
Image taken in the United Kingdom.
3rd Prize – Javier Murcia (Spain)
Image taken in Spain.
Opening Image 1st Prize Wide Angle and Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 © Alex Dawson / UPY 2024