The Coral Triangle in the western Pacific Ocean is home to the greatest variety of marine life on the planet. In his latest book Coral Triangle Cameos, Alan J Powderham, with scientific consultant Sancia van der Meij, focuses on the ‘small majority’ – the diminutive yet vital and often overlooked inhabitants of this amazing world.

In the 12 fascinating chapters of Coral Triangle Cameos, Powderham and van der Meij look at everything from the smallest crustaceans hiding on the reef to the weird and wonderful life forms drifting in the open ocean on blackwater dives.

With Alan’s stunning photographs and extremely informative text, you are taken on a journey into a complex, interdependent marine world brimming with life.

In this extract from the amazing book we take a look at a selection of chapters and the beautiful images that accompany them.

MUSHROOM CLUB

The Fungiidae family – known as mushroom corals – are predominantly solitary single-polyp corals which may have multiple mouths. As with other Cnidaria, their tentacles are armed with stinging cells, called nematocysts.

As hexacorals, they form limestone structures to house their polyps. Their arms form a radial symmetry of six, though this geometry is not readily obvious. By comparison, the arrangement of the eight-tentacled polyps of octocorals is generally
quite plain to see.

Individual polyps of mushroom corals reach impressively large sizes, with some solitary species exceeding more than
25cm. While the juveniles start life anchored to the substrate by a stalk, most species are free-living as adults. I have occasionally seen them collect in large aggregations, a mobility which is quite at odds with our normal conception of corals’ sedentary lifestyle.

They are also able to right themselves if turned upside down, for example by wave action. However, beyond all the biology, a prime attraction is their wonderful abstract patterns and intricate structures.

CRYPTOBENTHIC CHARMERS

Cryptobenthic, which basically means ‘hidden on the bottom’, refers to the tiny, secretive fish which typically hide within the coral crevices and reef debris. Consequently, they are easily overlooked but are now considered to be key contributors to the viability of the reefs.

Recent research has focused on discovering the apparently huge deficit in the nutrients required to sustain the complex ecosystems of coral reefs.

The larvae of cryptobenthic fish are not broadcast but settle locally, thus creating a bounteous cycle of nutrition concentrated within the confines of the reef.

Blennies are prominent citizens of this community and are widely represented in tropical and temperate seas, with an estimated 350 species. They provide a variety of charming characters as they peer out from their hideaways with large, appealing eyes.

This description is qualified, since a sprinkling of the notorious fangblennies number among this family. Most blennies are herbivores but the fangblenny is the exception.

It operates in borrowed clothes, as it mimics cleaner fish. This enables it to approach and take a bite out of unsuspecting patrons attending cleaning stations.

SMART SQUID

Among invertebrates, cephalopods are widely admired for their intelligence. They match some of the smartest vertebrates, which is pretty impressive for a mollusc.

Yet, being molluscs, they have evolved along completely distinct pathways. Their brains are cited as prime examples of convergent evolution. A direct experience of this mental prowess was provided early in my introduction to diving in the Coral Triangle.

My interest, then, was predictably attracted by the more obviously impressive subjects such as dense shoals of large fish. Underwater, good photography generally demands close proximity to the subject – a familiarity not readily welcomed
by the creatures of the reef.

So I was delighted, when encountering a large shoal of barracuda, to find that my local dive guide was well versed in the correct procedure. He immediately signalled to me to avoid further approach, and wait while he circled deeper to take position on the far side of the shoal. From this manoeuvre he was able to shepherd the fish towards me.

So, it came as quite a surprise when he blankly refused to apply the same tactics when we happened upon a school of squid. ‘Squid, like cats – too smart – don’t herd like barracuda’ was his amusingly laconic but insightful explanation.

DECORATED DECEPTION

Decapod means ‘ten footed’. Such anatomy is clearly evident in the crab pictures below, despite their liberal decoration of stinging hydroids.

This living array of potent protection is also a transferable asset. Remarkably, a moulting crab will painstakingly transplant
its collection of hydroids to the new carapace. It is a delicate and precarious operation. It has to be undertaken during the period of heightened vulnerability while the crab’s new exoskeleton hardens.

The spider crab has also adopted a singular approach to decoration, specialising in corallimorpharians, which most
notably disguise the crab’s outline.

Decorator crabs have a covering of fibrous material armed with tiny hooks known as setae. These enable them to attach their adornments like Velcro.

ALIEN DRIFTERS

While the rich biodiversity of the Coral Triangle may readily overwhelm the senses, some bizarre transparent creatures may float by unnoticed.

As illustrated, these range from ctenophores to heteropods and even pelagic ascidians. Ascidians are typically sessile creatures and establish colonies that can spread extensively.

The brief phase of the ascidian tadpole is totally focused on settling, affording it no time to feed. Accordingly, they have no mouth but do possess a range of chordate components including a primitive spine, and rudimentary eyes and brain.

After settlement, these redundant body parts are all absorbed in a transformation that matches the terrestrial example of the caterpillar to butterfly metamorphosis. But for the ascidian, it is a case of losing rather than gaining mobility.

The larva, now attached to the substrate, transmutes into a vase-like form for which it promptly develops intake and exit siphons to continue life as a filter feeder.

Not all ascidians sacrifice mobility, as there are pelagic species known as pyrosomes which may be seen rolling over the substrate like aquatic tumbleweed.

Ctenophores are voracious predators and come in a range of shapes and body sizes. Like a tiny iridescent refugee from Star Trek, with its gut full of plankton, this comb jelly has clearly enjoyed a successful nocturnal hunt.

Heteropods, (first image below) known curiously as sea elephants though actually molluscs, virtually defy description.

More great reads from our Magazine

• Inspiring Hope – an interview with Cristina ‘Mitty’ Mittermeier
• Ross Merrin on training as a BDMLR Marine Mammal Medic
• Shark and Jolanda Reef – Howard Rosenstein on the day it all began…
• ‘Toxic Trumps’ – venomous sea creatures and how to treat their stings
• Are work-for-training scuba diving internships worth it?

Click here for a full subscription or single issue

The post Alan J Powderham’s Coral Triangle Cameos appeared first on DIVE Magazine.

Alvaro Herrero’s humpback whale mother and calf wins Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025

Spanish photographer Alvaro Herrero has been named Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025. His photograph ‘Radiant Bond’ shows the special relationship between a mother humpback whale and her newborn calf.

Herrero’s picture was taken in French Polynesia and triumphed over 6750 underwater pictures entered by underwater photographers from around the world.

‘The mother is accompanying her calf to the surface because the baby is still so small and clumsy,’ said Herrero. ‘The calf is releasing a few bubbles underwater showing it is still learning to hold its breath properly. ‘For me, this photo really shows a mother’s love and communicates the beauty and fragility of life in our ocean.’

‘This delicate yet powerful study of a mother and calf’s bond says all that is great and good about our world,’ said contest judge Peter Rowlands. ‘We face our challenges, but the increasing populations of humpback whales worldwide shows what can be achieved.’

Other winners in the International categories included Shunsuke Nakano from Japan who won the Behaviour category with his photo ‘Face Off’, which shows two extraordinary-looking male Asian sheepshead wrasse jousting over spawning rights.

Abdulaziz Al Saleh, from Kuwait, won the Portrait category with his unique shot ‘Hydration’ showing camels drinking in the desert from below the water; and Bryant Turffs from the United States won the Compact category with ‘The Beauty of the Swamp’, a picture of a prehistoric gar fish taken in the Everglades with a simple GoPro camera.

Other notable winners included Ruruka, from South Korea, who placed first in the PADI-sponsored Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year category for his photo ‘Underwater Aurora’, of a diver in the multi-coloured waters of a Mexican cenote; and Robert Marc Lehmann, whose picture of a tiger shark being hauled ashore in Indonesia won the ‘Save Our Seas Foundation’ Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year 2025.

The Underwater Photographer of the Year contest is based in the UK and reserves three categories specifically for photographs taken in British waters.

David Alpert was named British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025 for his stunning image ‘The Curious Seal’, which was taken near Lundy Island, a marine protected area since 1973.

All the category winners with stories behind their pictures and comments from the judges are featured below:

Category winner: Wide Angle;
Winner: Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025

‘Radiant Bond’ – Alvaro Herrero aka Mekan (Spain)/UPY 2025

Location: Mo’orea, French Polynesia

Shot with: Nikon Z7 II; Nikkor Z 14-24mm 2.8 s; ISO: 1100; f/8, 1/640; Natural Light; Isotta housing

Back story:

A mother humpback whale accompanies her calf to the surface for its first breath early in the morning. The youngster is releasing a few bubbles as it rises, perhaps this is because it is still learning to control its breathing, or it is simply experimenting with its own body.

Every year, during the southern winter, I travel to French Polynesia to photograph these majestic animals. My favourite time of day is the early morning, because the light is soft and angled, allowing me to find the perfect angle to clearly define the shape of these animals in blue. For me, this photo is one that shows a mother’s love for her calf, communicating both the fragility and beauty of our oceans, and revealing one of the amazing species with whom we share our home world.

Judge’s comments:

What a shot! We usually see a lot of humpback whale images during the judging of the UPY competitions, but this image made us stop immediately. It really shows the excellence of the photographer seeing the moment and also recognizing the right image afterwards while browsing through them on the computer.

The light coming from the left upper corner as well as the perfect movement of the Humpback whale and calf, in addition to the excellent framing and composition make this a truly deserved overall winner for the UPY 2025 contest. I’m was very happy to give this image my final vote as it is an excellent example that a perfectly executed “classic” shot. Well done, Mekan! – Tobias Friedrich

A heartwarming interaction between mum and baby, in a perfectly timed pose of both majestic animals that look so comfortable in their underwater home. The photo invites us to observe, while giving the whales their space, both in the frame and from the photographer. The spearing light is dramatic, while the shadow the calf is casting on its mother is subtle. Mekan won the title of Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year back in 2022 with the saddest of images of humpback, this uplifting family portrait is a perfect counterpoint. – Alex Mustard

The overall winning image represents us as a Competition, and our community as a hobby/sport/profession, to the world at large for a whole year and sometimes it is very difficult to decide between them but this year, for me, this delicate yet powerful study of a mother and calf’s bond says all that is great and good about our world. We face our challenges, true, but the increasing populations of whales worldwide shows what can be achieved. – Peter Rowlands

Category winner: Macro

‘Magic Backlit’, by Paolo Bondaschi (Italy)/UPY 2025

Location: Secret Bay, Anilao, Philippines

Shot with: CANONEOS R7; EF-S60mm f/2.8 Macro USM + wet lens AOI UCL-90PRO; ISO: 100; f/16.0; 1/200; Backscatter MF-1 + Backscatter snoot OS-1; MareLux MX-R7 Housing

Back story

At the end of this dive, I spotted a couple of underwater photographers focused on shooting and it piqued my curiosity about what they were photographing. I signalled to my guide to check what they were shooting.

After realizing that it was one of my favourite subjects, a hairy shrimp, I waited patiently for my turn and used the time to plan and prepare for the shot. I chose to shoot it in profile, backlight with a snoot.

My guide and my buddy played a fundamental role in expertly managing the light of the snoot. After a few test shots to find the right setting, I finally got the photo I was looking for.

Judge’s comments:

Perfect execution and image ! What a nice winning shot for this strong macro category this year. I love the minimalistic approach to a subject which is tiny and not easy to get a crisp shot of. The perfect position of the hairy shrimp is almost too good to be true, but these animals are very skittish and we concluded this is natural perfection, which is also emphasized to the maximum by the very selective lighting by the photographer. – Tobias Friedrich

Category winner: Wrecks:

‘Deep Wreck’, by Alex Dawson (Sweden)/UPY 2025

Location: Gulf Fleet No 31 wreck at Shaabruhr Umm Qammar, Egypt

Shot with: NikonZ9; 8-15 fisheye lens; ISO: 800; f/4.5; 1/80; ambient light; Nauticam Z9 housing

Back story

The wreck sits on the reef at around 104m depth. When she sank she got wedged between the reef wall and a small reef so there is a swim through under the wreck. We did 25 min bottom time and about 2 1/2 hours of deco to produce this image.

Judge’s comments

Without a doubt one of my favourite photos in the whole competition. And also, as I learn now, one of our deepest. This image is packed with the feeling of adventure, in a finely crafted composition that draws you in with layer upon layer of interest, from foreground corals to the clouds of fish above the wreck. Understandable quality, once you know it was taken by last year’s Underwater Photographer of the Year! – Alex Mustard

Category winner: Behaviour

‘Face Off’, by Shunsuke Nakano (Japan) /UPY 2025

Location: Sado, Niigata, Japan

Shot with: NikonD850; Lens: af nikkor 28-70mm f3.5-4.5 d with Nauticam WACP-1; ISO: 200; Aperture: f/16; Shutter; 1/25o; Lighting: INON Z330; Housing: Nauticam NA D850

Back story

This is a photo of two male Asian sheepshead wrasse fighting. The unique form of this species is characteristic of males, who form harems and claim territories during the breeding season. The one on the left in the photo is the harem king, who has defended his territory for more than 10 years and is estimated to be over 30 years old, while the one on the right is a young challenger.

Although I had planned carefully to capture the images, the 2024 season was more difficult to predict than usual, and despite staying there for a week during the breeding season, I was only able to observe this scene once, for just 10 seconds. And this was the only photograph I was able to take. The sight of them fighting in their flashy white outfits was so magnificent I can still remember it vividly.

Judge’s comments

Perfectly timed to capture the moment of the contender challenging the king. The fight for hierarchy is the strongest form of behaviour. Well lit with no distracting background, this image leapt out immediately and continued to be the one to beat off the challengers. – Peter Rowlands

Category winner: Portrait

‘Hydration’, by Abdulaziz Al Saleh (Kuwait) /UPY 2025

Location: Al Wafra desert, Kuwait

Shot with: NikonZ8; Lens: Nikkor 8-15mm fisheye; ISO: 100; Aperture: f/18; Shutter: 1/100; Lighting: Inon Z330 (dual); Housing: Nauticam NA-Z8

Back story

I had the idea of photographing the camels drinking water for about one and half a years. I wanted to photograph them drinking water from the underwater perspective because I did not see any images showing this. The weather was a critical, and it took me several weeks to get the best possible shots.

The first week the camels were a bit hesitant to drink water while my camera was under the water and only few gathered to drink, which is not what i wanted. But after several days the camels had already accepted to me and my equipment.

After my first week of shooting the Camels, I changed to electronic synch cords for my strobes instead of fibre-optic cables because of problems. And finally the shots came together.

Judge’s comments

Such a joyous image and a portrait of camels certainly took us by pleasant surprise. Great eye contact, well-chosen angle and surface distortions gives you plenty to look at and the lower, childlike, cheeky mouth adds a heartwarming finale to a quality photograph, which is much more than just an eye-catching subject. – Peter Rowlands

Category winner: Coral Reefs

‘Kaleidoscope of Colour’ by Catherine Holmes (UK) /UPY 2025

Location: Gorgonian Passage, Wayil Batan Island, Misool, Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Shot with: Nikon D500; ;Lens: Nikon Fisheye. 8-15 (3.5-4.5) @12mm; ISO: 320; Aperture: f/11; Shutter: 1/160; Lighting used: Retra Pro strobes- with diffusers; Housing: Nauticam NA-D500.

Back story

Raja Ampat, Indonesia, is a magical destination where the colour, beauty, biodiversity and dense fish life can almost be an overload on the senses- a celebration of healthy reef life. I was lucky to find perfect conditions with clear water and schooling baitfish swirling amongst the canyons of a large coral bommie, adorned with verdant soft corals.

I aimed to capture the reef teeming with life and colour to inspire us all to protect this valuable habitat. All around the world, our oceans, and in particular the coral reefs, are under threat. They are vital habitat for the myriad of species they support, and critical for the oceans health.

Climate change, pollution, overfishing and destructive fishing all threaten this environment, and the devastating outcomes are seen worldwide with bleached and dying reefs, with dwindling fish life. Awareness is essential to protect and sustain these precious environments for the future.

Judge’s comments:

This image just screams ‘coral’! It’s also rare to see a vertical image which works well of a coral reef. The light distribution on the image is absolutely beautiful and the reef full of color. A very well-deserved winner of this category. – Tobias Friedrich

Category winner: Black & White

‘Chasing Dolphins’, by Enric Gener (Spain)/UPY 2025

Location: Red Sea, Egypt

Shot with: Canon5D Mark IV; Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm 1:2.8 L III USM; ISO: 160; Aperture: f/4; Shutter: 1/500; Lighting used: No Lighting; Housing: SeaCam

Back story

This image was captured in the northern Red Sea during a freediving expedition in search of bottlenose dolphins. The moment portrays an intimate mating ritual, where several males—four visible in the picture, though others were nearby—were playfully chasing a female.

It was a dynamic and ritualistic display, with the males engaging in friendly skirmishes and occasionally mating with the female, their bodies joining briefly for just a few seconds. Notably, the female was not attempting to escape; she actively participated, playing along and waiting for them. The entire group swam gracefully and at a slow, deliberate pace, creating a mesmerizing underwater scene.

Judge’s comments:

This image shows the definition of black and white photography, the composition comes alive with the thoughtful conversion to monochrome. Fantastic image. – Tobias Friedrich

Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025

‘Aurora Underwater’, by Ruruka (Korea) /UPY 2025

Location: Cancun, Mexico

Shot with: NikonZ8; Lens: Nikon Z 24-50mm F4 with Nauticam WACP-1; ISO: ISO800; Aperture: f/9; Shutter: 1/60s; Lighting used: Natural Light; Housing: Nauticam NA-Z8

Back story

I first travelled to Cancun, Mexico, for a shoot two years ago, and since then, I’ve been captivated by its charm. These days, I find myself visiting Cancun frequently. From where I live, it’s a very long journey – about 24 hours by plane – but this place perfectly aligns with the direction of my photography and offers a variety of shooting opportunities.

To capture this particular photo, I visited during the rainy summer season and worked with a local Korean guide as my model.

Judge’s comments

Extraordinary image with a high technical standard and perfect postproduction of it! The diver is well positioned in the golden ratio while not being in front of anything. The balance of the light from outside which falls into the cave is just an excellent repetition and shows what the image is all about. Well done and a very well-deserved category winner – Tobias Friedrich

Category winner: Compact

‘The Beauty of the Swamp’, by Bryant Turffs (United States) /UPY 2025

Location: Everglades National Park, United States

Shot with: GoPro Hero 7 Black; Lens: AOI 0.73x Ultra Wide Lens; ISO: 791; Aperture: f/2.8; Shutter: 1/180; Natural light; Housing: GoPro Supersuit

Back story

I captured this image at one of my favourite locations within the Everglades ecosystem. Historically, I primarily dove in saltwater, but I have become enamoured by this foreboding environment, with clear waters, light filtering through cypress trees, and the fish species, both native and introduced.

I have revisited this spot many times trying to capture various subjects and the light just right. The water levels vary significantly, sometimes completely drying, during different times of year. The fish species are in constant flux, and this location is often dominated by exotics.

Ironically, on this occasion, I hadn’t invested too much thought and I was enjoying the scenery when this Florida Gar positioned itself perfectly in the frame of my GoPro.

Judge’s comments

A stunning three-dimensional composition placing this rarely seen Florida gar in its swamp habitat. It is, quite frankly, amazing that this image is shot with a simple GoPro camera demonstrating how many people already have all the gear that they need to capture beautiful underwater photos. – Alex Mustard

British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025
and category winner: British Waters Wide Angle

‘The Curious Seal’, by David Alpert (UK) /UPY 2025

Location: Lundy Island, United Kingdom

Shot with: Canon 5D MKiii; Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L iii USM; ISO: 200; Aperture: f/8; Shutter: 1/200; Lighting; 2 x Inon Z330 Strobes; Housing: Nauticam

Back story

North Devon is easily one of the most beautiful coastlines in Britain. High jagged cliffs pounded by an unforgiving sea. With the second highest tide change in the world, the outgoing current whips up against waves and wind rolling in from the North Atlantic. Stand back and marvel.

Diving windows are limited so I based myself in the area for two months last year, exploring different locations. This shot shows a grey seal off Lundy Island, a marine protected area since 1973. Seals are delightfully curious creatures, more interactive than any other species I have dived with around the world. Briefly, I become one of the privileged few, crossing the bridge into the world of a sentient wild animal.

Judge’s comments

In the UPY competition we usually see a lot of seal images, especially in the British categories. I used to be a soft touch for these images, but having seen so many now, my standards are very high. This image though is truly a stunner! So well framed in the sea weeds and with the light coming from the back in the shallow waters. The composition is completed by the curious look of the seal to the photographer. An excellent portrait. – Tobias Friedrich

Category winner: British Waters Macro

‘The Hitch-Hiker’, by Dan Bolt (UK) /UPY 2025

Location: Scotland, UK

Shot with: OM Systems OM-1; Lens: Panasonic 45mm macro; ISO: 250; Aperture: f/13; Shutter: 1/250th; Lighting used: 2x Sea & Sea YS-D3Duo; Housing: AOI UH-OM1

Back story

Occasionally in my time under the water I have come across this medusa ‘Neoturris pileata’ in the open water but had not taken a decent photo of one. On this occasion however, my buddy and I were specifically targeting them and other similar creatures to try to explore the idea of UK ‘blackwater’ photographic opportunities.

Of the many, many(!), images I took that day, this one revealed a larval crustacean within the bell of this medusa. The frames either side of this capture actually show that the larval crab (or lobster) is actually on the outside of the bell, but in this instant it was perfectly on the opposite side from me and hence the effect of being contained within the transparent body.

Judge’s comments:

This is a beautiful and rarely see jellyfish, but the wow moment really comes when you spot the hitchhiking shrimp through the transparent bell. Stunning, surprising and novel. – Alex Mustard

Category winner: British Waters Living Together

‘Rusty Haven’, by Dan Bolt (UK) /UPY 2025

Location: Loch Carron, Scotland, UK

Shot with: OM Systems OM-1; Lens: Olympus 14-42mm with Nautocam WWL-1; ISO: 640; Aperture: f/7.1; Shutter: 1/50; Lighting used: 2x Sea & Sea YS-D3 Duo; Housing: AOI UH-OM1

Back story

This images shows nature’s ability to make the best of a bad situation. The iron block and heavy chain are actually holding a small barge in-place on the surface where local scallop divers store their equipment. The barge itself is a floating reef system all of it own, and the anchor blocks have attracted many species too.

I was actually practising for a different underwater photography competition when I took this shot. For a couple of days before an on-the-day ‘splash in’ competition, this crab was consistently in this position, or very close by. Sadly on the day it was nowhere to be seen! Happily for me though that meant I was able to use my practice photos for UPY!

Judge’s comments

A well-chosen angle to include just enough background to combine visual depth with location. The chain links starting off powerfully in the foreground then receding delicately out of the scene topped by the small inquisitive fish entering the top of the frame. A worthy winner. – Peter Rowlands

‘Save our Seas’ Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year 2025

‘1/200,000,000’, by Robert Marc Lehmann (Germany)/UPY 2025

Location: Indonesia

Shot with: Canon R5; Lens: Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM with EF to RF Mount; ISO: 1000; Aperture: f/5.6; Shutter: 1/6400

Back story

This tiger shark is just one of around 200 million sharks that lose their lives every year at the hands of humans.
Since I was six years old (35 years+), I have been intensively studying sharks. In all these years, hardly anything has changed and that is frustrating. Sharks protect their habitat, the sea, through their ecological function as ‘health police’.

Over a billion people depend on the sea every day and we all breathe the oxygen that is largely produced in the sea. If we continue to eradicate the animals that guard our largest and most important habitat, we are taking away our own livelihood, and that’s why I’ve been fighting for people to see and understand sharks through my eyes.

Every time I take a photo like this, it hurts, but through imagery I can inspire millions of people to understand sharks and their situation and make a difference.

Judge’s comments

A stunning, story-telling image, with four men hauling this huge ocean predator onto land. The light is beautiful, the composition immersive and the timing, capturing the fisherman’s gesture, is perfect. Although an everyday occurrence and legal in most places, the man reaching out to stop the photo reveals what his conscience reckons on what they are doing. Powerful photography. – Alex Mustard

Underwater Photographer of the Year is an annual competition, based in the UK, that celebrates photography beneath the surface of the ocean, lakes, rivers and even swimming pools, and attracts entries from all around the world.

The contest was first run in 1965, when Phil Smith was named Underwater Photographer of the Year.

In 2025 the contest attracted 6750 underwater pictures, with the awarded photographers coming from 28 different countries.

The winners were announced in an award ceremony in central London, hosted by The Crown Estate. This year’s judges were experienced underwater photographers Peter Rowlands, Tobias Friedrich and Dr Alexander Mustard MBE.

For a complete listing of all the winning and highly commended photographs in this year’s competition, head to www.underwaterphotographeroftheyear.com

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• Alex Mustard appointed president of the British Society of Underwater Photographers

The post Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025 winners announced appeared first on DIVE Magazine.

Hi! My name is Justine and I’m a medical doctor based in Sabah, Malaysia. Medicine and underwater macro photography are my two passions in life.

I started scuba diving in 2015 and like most new divers, I was more interested in the ‘bigger’ things associated with the ocean such as sharks, mantas and turtles. But as I progressed through my scuba diving journey, I became more aware
of the existence of tiny underwater denizens which new divers tend to overlook.

I started off my underwater photography adventure with an Olympus TG6 camera. I am currently using OM System OM1 Mk1 camera.

Because macro creatures are literally tiny (looking at it makes your eyes go all squinty) it is difficult sometimes to truly appreciate its beauty just by looking at it. Underwater photography allows me to capture magnified still photos of these subjects and to show the world their vibrant colours and delicate features.

Nudibranches are my favourite subject for photography. All my dives are about hunting for nudibranchs to shoot with my camera. I am just mesmerized by their diverse colours and shapes.

It is my dream to dive all the great macro diving sites and use photography as a tool to show everyone the beauty of the underwater macro world that exists in our oceans.

Check out more of Justine’s fantastic macro work on his Instagram page @justinetansh

If you’d like to see your underwater photography published on these pages and shared across our social media feed and weekly newsletter, why not drop us a line at info@divemagazine.com.

The post Featured Photographer – Justine Tan appeared first on DIVE Magazine.

The winners of the 2024 annual Ocean Art underwater photo competition have been announced. The 13th iteration of the competition has seen record-breaking participation with thousands of entries received from more than 90 countries spread across 14 categories and competing for more than $60,000 in prizes.

The coveted Best in Show ranking was awarded to Eduardo Labat for his breathtaking image, ‘Dancing White Tips,’ taken at Roca Partida, Revillagigedo, Mexico. Labat’s photograph captured a synchronous ballet of white-tip reef sharks in the highly competitive Black & White category, and won him a five-day trip for two with seven dives with All 4 Diving at the Akaya Bali resort.

Equally competitive was this year’s Conservation category, with Dawn McDonald’s third-place image of a shark captured in a ghost net being a particular highlight. McDonlad’s image symbolises the devastating impact of abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear or marine wildlife, and Ocean Art’s support for Ghost Diving, a charity dedicated to the removal of ghost gear and marine debris.

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‘This year’s Ocean Art competition was nothing short of extraordinary,’ said Nirupam Nigam, organizer of the contest and President of Bluewater Photo & Editor-in-Chief of the Underwater Photography Guide.

‘The talent and vision displayed by our participants have set new benchmarks for underwater photography. These images do more than win awards; they captivate hearts and minds, reaching millions globally and reminding us of our shared responsibility to protect the ocean’s beauty. It’s an honour to see the competition grow in scope and impact every year.’

This year’s judging panel included world-renowned experts in underwater photography including Tony Wu, Marty Snyderman, and Mark Strickland. Canon and Marelux Ambassador Ipah Uid Lynn, also joined as a new judge, bringing a fresh perspective to the Underwater Digital Art and Underwater Fashion categories.

Check out the winning entries in each category below. A complete list of the winning photos, runners-up and honourable mentions can be seen on the Underwater Photography Guide’s Ocean Art 2024 Winners Page.

Best in Show and winner, Black & White Category

Eduardo Labat – ‘Dancing White Tips’

The Story: It was our last dive of the day, in the afternoon with sunlight fading. At Roca Partida, most white tip sharks congregate in small groups at various ledges throughout the rock formation. On this particular afternoon, a large aggregation of white tips started forming some distance from the rock. Dozens of sharks formed a tight group at an approximate depth of 25 feet. The sharks were not hunting or exhibiting aggressive behaviour.

After witnessing this rare event from the periphery of the formation, I slowly ascended to hover just above it. That is where I took this picture. From above, the sharks seemed to be swimming in synchrony in a circular motion. It was beautiful to witness.

I decided to use black and white for this picture both because of how the geometry of the formation looked in this style and also because of the natural contrast one can appreciate in black and white regarding the shark tips in relation to the rest of their bodies.

Location: Roca Partida. Revillagigedo, Mexico

Equipment Used: Sony A6600, Tokina 10-17mm F/3.5-4.5 Fish-eye lens, Nauticam Housing, Sea & Sea YS-D3 DUO strobes

Camera Settings: 1/160 sec, f4.0, ISO 640

1st Place Wide Angle

Hwanhee Kim – ‘Light‘

The Story: Light is nature’s greatest gift. The week before I captured this shot, heavy rains fell in Cancun. Sediment and nutrients from the nearby Carwash were washed into the cenote, creating stunning colours due to the difference in concentration.

Rain is typically a challenge for underwater photography, but in this instance, it produced vibrant hues rarely seen underwater.

Sunlight, with its strong vitality, pierced through the reddish waters, revealing a magical moment. The light served as a connection between the land and the underwater world, as well as between nature and humans. I felt privileged to witness this beauty and fortunate to have been able to document it.

Location: Mexico, Rancho Viejo, Carwash

Equipment Used: Camera – Nikon D850, Housing – Nauticam, Strobe/light – Natural Light, Wet Lens – Nikon 8-15mm

Camera Settings: ISO 1100, f/7.1, Shutter speed 1/125s

1st Place Macro

Adam Martin – ‘Juvenile Batfish‘

The Story: This juvenile batfish was found at 85′ depth in Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. A snoot was used to try and isolate the flash to the subject, without lighting up too much of the background. The lighting highlights the texture and structure of the fish’s body, emphasizing its graceful lines and vivid colouration.

Location: Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia

Equipment Used: Sony A7RV w/ Canon 100mm Macro Lens Nauticam Housing, Inon strobe with snoot

Camera Settings: 1/250, f/13, ISO 320

1st Place Marine Life Behavior

Yoichi Sato – ‘Born From Mouth‘

The Story: I was fortunate to capture the irreplaceable moment of a tiny creature hatching. On a midsummer night, while most creatures were fast asleep, a male Ostorhinchus properuptus, having completed a week-long incubation period, summoned all its energy and, with a trembling motion, released a swarm of larvae from its mouth.

To minimize stress on the fish, I observed the process under a dim red light. During the hatch-out moment, I used red lighting with a special setting that turned off the red light as soon as the strobe’s pre-flash was detected. This setup effectively eliminated red light interference in the photograph, ensuring the image captured the moment as naturally as possible.

Location: Minamisatsuma, Kagoshima, Japan

Equipment Used: Canon EOS R5, Canon EF-S 60mm, F2.8 Macro USM, Nauticam housing, 2x INON Z330, 1x RG Blue S02RE-SNC

Camera Settings: f/13, 1/125, ISO 400

1st Place Portrait

Stefano Cerbai – ‘Exceptional Shipping‘

The Story: I was on my honeymoon in Australia, and among the many incredible places we visited was Southern Australia, where I had the chance to dive and search for the elusive sea dragon – an animal I had dreamed of seeing for years.

I was incredibly lucky not only to find and observe one but also to capture a photograph of it carrying its eggs, which it was protecting on its back near its tail. This unforgettable experience was truly a dream come true.

Location: Australia

Equipment Used: Nikon D7200, Isotta housing, Ikelite flash, Tokina 10/17mm

Camera Settings: 1/160, f16, ISO 250

1st Place Cold Water

James Emery – ‘Curious Cormorant‘

The Story: During a dive in Monterey, I was photographing the Metridium fields when I noticed a cormorant swimming down towards us. To my surprise, it began pecking at my wife’s head, but she was completely unfazed. I quickly swam over to get a few shots, and then the cormorant’s attention shifted to the reflection in my camera’s dome port.

It stayed with us for about 20 minutes, swimming up for air before returning to check us out again. It was a unique and playful moment that gave me a glimpse into the curiosity of the cormorant, and I was lucky enough to capture it.

Location: Metridium Fields, Monterey, California

Equipment Used: Sony a7iii, Nauticam housing, Canon 8-15mm with metabones adapter, Kraken KS160 strobes.

Camera Settings: f13, 1/80, iso 500

1st Place Nudibranchs

Borut Furlan – ‘Hooded nudibranchs‘

The Story: This was my first visit to Vancouver Island in October 2024 and my first visit to Canada at all. I didn’t have much knowledge about the area; therefore, I decided to use a wide-angle zoom lens on most of my dives because of its diversity.

It turned out that this was a good idea since I had the opportunity to photograph a wide selection of objects (except the smallest ones). When I reached the kelp forest with hooded nudibranchs, I was simply shocked. I have never before seen so many nudibranchs in one spot.

There were many thousands of them and they were everywhere, on the bottom, on the kelp and they were even swimming. I shot hundreds of various images of them and this one is one from this series.

Location: Port Hardy, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

Equipment Used: Nikon D850, Nikkor 28-80/3.3-5.6 + Nauticam WACP (converted to Seacam), two Seacam 150D strobes

Camera Settings: ISO 400, f/14, 1/40s, 28mm

1st Place Blackwater

Kyungshin Kim – ‘Hunting‘

The Story: I captured this shot during a blackwater dive in Anilao last November. At first, I noticed two squids stuck together and assumed they were mating. However, upon closer inspection, I realized they were not mating, one squid was eating the other, a smaller squid.

Squids are known to engage in cannibalism, but it’s rare to witness small squids eating each other during a blackwater dive. I carefully followed and observed them, managing to capture a few photos. After about 10 minutes, the colour of the smaller squid, which was being consumed, began to fade. Finally, it released a spurt of black ink.

Shortly after, the squid that had finished eating slowly disappeared into the distance, while the squid that became its prey sank into the dark depths of the sea.

Location: Anilao, Philippines

Equipment Used: Nikon Z8, Nikon 60mm macro, Nauticam housing, 2 x Kraken S160, 1 x Weefine 5000 light

Camera Settings: f20, 1/200s, ISO 200,

1st Place Underwater Conservation

Kimber Greenwood – ‘Drowing in Plastic‘

The Story: This image was created as part of an awareness project for the Florida Springs Council about the impacts of water bottling on the local Florida Springs. Over 300 bottles of water are produced every minute at water bottling plants such as the ones located just minutes from the Spring this image was shot at.

Not only are these bottles ending up in landfills and introducing microplastics into our environment, the bottling of ‘Spring Water’ is causing a loss of water from the Floridian Aquifer which is reducing water levels and water flow, allowing for deterioration of the Springs and rivers.

The bottles used for this image were donated by a local conservation activist who pulled them off the production belt of a local bottling plant. The images created from this campaign are used in ongoing social media and print advertising campaigns to encourage individuals to make a better choice to use reusable water bottles over plastic bottles that harm the local Florida environment in many significant ways.

Location: USA, High Springs, Florida, Jonathan Springs

Equipment Used: Sony A7IV, 24-70mm F2.8 GM,

Camera Settings: 70mm, f3.5, 1/500, ISO 400

1st Place Underwater Digital Art

Unkoo Kim – ‘Desire‘

The Story: The sea at Seogwipo, where I captured this image, is a place close to my heart, filling me with warmth and cherished memories. However, it is far from an ideal environment for underwater photography. The water is often murky, and the currents are strong.

While other locations may face similar challenges, Seogwipo’s waters have been further impacted by rising sea temperatures, a lack of subjects, and other factors that make photography particularly difficult. I wondered, how could I create images that truly capture the beauty of the sea creatures inhabiting Seogwipo’s waters?

The idea of using light as a background to highlight these creatures came to mind, and I set out to convey the stunning beauty hidden within Seogwipo’s challenging waters. I took this image during the best season of the year. To capture a front-view image of the main subject, the Blue hana goby, I spent countless hours observing and getting close to them. Many shots had to be discarded along the way.

Imagining the dynamic interplay of the Blue hana goby with bokeh lights, I used tools I had prepared in advance and a modified vintage lens to combine multiple exposures with firework bokeh images. While capturing firework images is not particularly difficult, it requires meticulous preparation, effort, practice, and, most importantly, time to build a connection with the subjects.

Location: Seogwipo, Jeju Island, South Korea

Equipment Used: Nikon D850, Nauticam Nikon D850 housing, Ikelite DS230 * 2 & Sofirn Underwater lantern, Nikon 60mm macro lens / Bell & Howell Filmovara alteration

Camera Settings: f/11, 1/160, ISO 100

1st Place Underwater Fashion

Lucie Drlikova – ‘Long Live the Queen!‘

The Story: Underwater Photography of the Evil Queen, lifted by her demons, from the Snow White fairytale.

This photo is part of my personal project Once Upon a Dream in Waterland, which I’ve been working on for 7 years. This project represents a return to my childhood dreams.

All costumes, scenes and props are hand made by myself.

Location: Swimming pool, 8 metres deep, Aquapalace Praha, Czech Republic, Europe

Equipment Used: Nikon D810, lens Nikor 17/35 f2/8, Nauticam housing, strobes Subtronic

Camera Settings: Aperture f/8, shutter speed 1/160, ISO 500

1st Place Compact Wide Angle

Marco Lausdei – ‘Hunting in the Night‘

The Story: We are at one of the most famous night dive sites in the world: Maya Thila. I noticed a whitetip reef shark moving in cyclical patterns, visibly attracted to a cloud of silverfish positioned along the Thila drop-off. Using a nearby boulder for cover, I carefully hid and minimized my bubbles, trying to get as close as possible without disturbing the predator’s behaviour.

Once the shark grew accustomed to my presence, I waited for one of its cyclical movements to bring it within flash range. I timed the shot to capture not only the shark but also the evasive motion of the cloud of potential prey.

The shot was taken from a bottom-to-top angle, intentionally including the surface of the sea to add depth and dimension to the image. Understanding the subject’s habits and behaviour was essential to the success of this shot.

Location: Maldives – Fish head dive site

Equipment Used: Sony RX100m5, Seafrog housing, Seafrog dome

Camera Settings: ISO 200, f10, 1/160sec

1st Place Compact Macro

Naomi Springett – ‘Longnose Hawkfish‘

The Story: For our honeymoon, we joined a liveaboard dive trip to the Great Barrier Reef. This photo was taken on one of the nicest dives of the trip; a thriving coral bommie with abundant macro life.

Perched proudly on the black sun coral (Tubastraea micranthus), this longnose hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) was not too concerned with my presence and, much to my delight, sat still long enough for me to get a few photos before it swam away.

With so many tropical fish being camera shy, this was a rare treat. Black Sun Coral is among my favourite corals; the rich green colours provided a contrasting background for this striking fish, making this one of my favourite moments from a very special diving trip.

Location: Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Equipment Used: TG-4 with PT-056 housing, dual Sea and Sea strobes

Camera Settings: f/8, 1/40 sec, ISO-200, flash

1st Place Compact Behavior

Naomi Springett – ‘Mutualism‘

The Story: This bluestreak cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) and variegated lizardfish (Synodus variegatus) were spotted on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

These fish are an example of mutualistic symbiosis, this means that both species benefit from their association with one another. The cleaner wrasse nibbles dead skin and parasites off the larger fish, providing the cleaner fish with food and leaving the lizardfish clean and healthy.

Usually, lizardfish are quite skittish, not tolerating photographers to get too close, but this individual was quite content to pose for photos during its clean. I was amazed to watch the smaller fish dart all over the lizardfish, even into its mouth, demonstrating incredible trust on the part of the smaller fish, eventually settling right on top of the lizardfish’s head!

Location: Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Equipment Used: TG-7 with PT-059 housing, dual Sea and Sea strobes

Camera Settings: f/13, 1/80 sec, ISO-200, flash

For more information about the Ocean Art contest and the Underwater Photography Guide, head to www.uwphotographyguide.com

The post Ocean Art 2024 underwater photography competition winners announced appeared first on DIVE Magazine.

The Fifth Close-Up Photographer of the Year Awards showcases some beautiful underwater photography – check out the best shots here

The Close-Up Photographer of the Year competition, now in its fifth successive year, has thrown up some outstanding images in the dedicated and highly competitive Underwater Category.

The competition, which features 11 categories in total – Animals, Insects, Butterflies & Dragonflies, Invertebrate Portrait, Underwater, Plants, Fungi & Slime Moulds, Intimate Landscape, Human Made, Micro and Young Close-up Photographer of the Year – attracted almost 12,000 entries from 67 countries, which were judged by a panel of 23 expert photographers, scientists, naturalists, journalists and picture editors.

The overall prize was won by Hungarian photographer Csaba Daróczi, with his picture of a Eurasian nuthatch in flight taken from inside a hollowed-out tree stump.

The Underwater Category, first added to the CUPOTY competition in 2021, was won by Australian photographer Simon Theuma, who drew on Dreamtime Aboriginal art in his category-winning image of a Commensal shrimp floating above a Mosaic seastar. The winning images, runners-up and finalists are shown below – head to www.cupoty.com to view all of the Top100 images submitted across all 11 categories.

Underwater Winner – ‘Dreamtime’

Simon Theuma, Australia

Picture details: A Commensal shrimp floats above a Mosaic seastar. March 4th; Bass Point Reserve, Shellharbour, Australia.

Simon: ‘Like an intricate tapestry of the marine ecosystem, this image captures the relationship between a commensal shrimp and a mosaic sea star. Dreamtime Aboriginal art reminds us of the delicate balance that exists in the grand tapestry of our natural world – this ancient wisdom serves as an important reminder to preserve what we have. To capture this image, I needed to use a snooted strobe, which was set at an acute angle to the subject. This set-up accentuated the depth and beautiful texture of the two organisms. Additionally, I enhanced magnification by using a +15 wet lens dioptre.’

Technical information: Nikon D850, Nikkor 85mm f/2.8G, 1/200, f/14, ISO64, Sea & Sea Housing, YS-250 Pro Strobes, INON UCL67 +15 Wet Dioptre (underwater close-up lens), snoot.

www.simontheuma.com.au

Second Place – ‘Heart of the Sea’

Liang Fu, China

Picture details: During a night dive, at 28 metres deep, a lava moray eel curls into the shape of a heart in Romblon, Philippines.

Liang Fu: ‘This photograph was taken during a blackwater dive in Romblon, Philippines. Blackwater diving is a type of scuba diving that takes place at night in the open ocean, with thousands of metres of water below the boat. Divers descend a rope with underwater lights as their only orientation system. When the tide and moon phase are right, creatures from the deep migrate to shallower waters. This vertical migration is one of the most remarkable natural phenomena. During the dive, I saw something shining under my searchlight at 28 metres deep. As I swam closer to investigate, I found a lava moray eel curled into a heart shape. I was extremely fortunate to capture this moment with my camera. The eel remained at that depth for less than 10 seconds before swimming down and disappearing into the darkness.’

Technical information: Canon EOS R5, Canon RF 35mm F2.8L MACRO IS USM, 1/200, f/13, ISO400, Underwater housing, underwater flash x2,

Third Place – ‘Pinkaboo’

Chris Gug, USA

Picture details: A golden damselfish above a bright pink, soft coral backdrop. October 22nd; Misool, West Papua, Indonesia.

Chris: ‘For years, I had been wanting to make a relatively simple image of a golden damselfish set against a background of red sea whip coral. But on multiple trips to various South Pacific diving locations, there was always some problem with the sea whips – one branch would be broken, lack of current caused the polyps to be retracted, the damselfish was too rough… just always something to make me cringe with OCD! So when I found this little gem living in what is clearly NOT red sea whips, I had to twist my mind out of its rigidity, and realise that the gorgonian coral background I was searching for was indeed a different species, and was right in front of me!

As a traditional fisheye lens shooter, water-contact optics have been a game-changer in underwater wide-angle photography. While not quite as wide as a fisheye lens, they still cover a large field of vision, while maintaining far superior corner sharpness and don’t introduce the extreme barrel distortion of a fisheye lens. Using Nauticam’s revolutionary WACP-1 lens/port allowed me to use a medium zoom, and create a close-focus wide-angle view from just a few inches away that, unlike a fisheye lens, appears flat and maintains focus on the entire coral environment.’

Technical information: Nikon D850, Nikon AF Nikkor 28-70mm f/3.5-4.5D, 1/50, f/14, ISO320, Nauticam underwater housing, WACP-1 lens/port, dual Ikelite DS-161 strobes, scuba gear.

www.GugUnderwater.com

Finalist – ‘Underwater Constellation’

Csaba Daróczi, Hungary

Picture details: Freshwater fish gather in a pond beneath a moonlit night. March 8th; Soltvadkert, Hungary.

Technical information: Nikon Z6, Laowa 15mm f/4 Wide Angle Macro, 30sec, f/4-22, ISO4000, Self-made stand, two flashes.

www.daroczicsaba.hu

Finalist – ‘Gimme Shelter’

Henley Spiers, UK/France

Picture details:A juvenile fish takes shelter in the open ocean beneath a blue button hydroid. Offshore, Eastern Pacific Ocean.

Technical information: Nikon D850, Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8 AF-S, 1/500, f/13, ISO800, Nauticam housing

Post processing: Basic adjustments in Lightroom, backscatter removal in Photoshop.

www.henleyspiers.com

Finalist – ‘Entourage’

Jake Wilton, Australia

Picture details: A reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) glides by with an entourage of juvenile golden trevally fish. Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia.

Technical information: Nikon D810, Nikkor AF-S Fisheye 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED, 1/250, f/9, ISO640, Underwater housing

www.jakewiltonphoto.com

Finalist – ‘Juvenile Anglerfish’

Koji Shinke, Japan

Picture details: A juvenile anglerfish floats in the blue deep sea. April 25th; Osezaki, Numazu Shizuoka, Japan.

Technical information: Nikon D810 Nikon 105mm f/2.8, 1/250, f/16, ISO160, Sea & Sea underwater housing, 2x Retra Flash pro

Instagram: @cozy312

Finalist – ‘Cloud Nine’

Laura Storm, UK

Picture details: A Ghost goby hides out among the undulating textures and swirls of its pink sponge daybed. March 26th; Lembeh Strait, Molucca Sea, Indonesia.

Technical information: Canon EOS 800D, Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM, 1/80, f/14, ISO200, 2 x INON s2000 strobes with filters, Sea & Sea RDX750 housing with a DX Macro Port 52, Light & Motion Sola 1200 focus light.

Post processing: Basic adjustments in Lightroom, colour adjustment in Nik Colour FX Pro 4.

www.planetplankton.co.uk

Finalist – ‘Alpine Water Salamander’

Luc Rooman, Belgium

Picture details: An Alpine water salamander rests on a water lily before making its way to the surface of a freshwater lake. May 23rd; De Melle, Antwerp, Belgium.

Technical information: Nikon D500, Nikon 16-35mm f/4, 1/160, f/22, ISO100, 2x Subtronic flash,

Post processing: Basic adjustments in Photoshop.

Instagram: @LucRooman

Finalist – ‘Fairy Shrimp Showing Colourful Eggs’

René Krekels, Netherlands

Picture details: A female fairy shrimp displays the colourful eggs inside her. June, Germany.

Technical information Canon R5, Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro, 1/250, f/8, ISO250, Flashlights

www.renekrekels.nl

Finalist – ‘In the Moonlight’

Sandra Stalker, UK

Picture details: A stalked jellyfish clings to seaweed in turbulent waters, summer; Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset, UK.

Technical information: Sony A7R IV, Meyer Optic Trioplan 50 vintage lens, 1/320, f/2.8, ISO50, Nauticam underwater housing, 2x backscatter miniflash, 2 strobes (one with a blue filter, one with a snoot).

Instagram: @teenytinyunderwaterphotos

For more information, the Top 100 best pictures and further details on entering, visit cupoty.com

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