A competition showcasing underwater photos
The Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 competition has just announced the winners in the various categories. The competition is open to all photographers, professional and amateur, and must comply with certain rules. The main ones are that all photos must be taken underwater, with a tolerance for one photo at two levels, and that photos for the "British" categories must have been taken in national waters.
This edition attracted a record number of entries and a record number of photos. The winners came from all over the world, as did all the photos taken.
A total of 12 categories were represented, and we present the winners in the photos below
Overall winner - Underwater Photographer of the year 2024
East Greenland is home to around 100,000 minke whales. Hunters in Tasiilaq usually catch less than a dozen to feed on. The whale is hauled onto the beach at high tide, and many families gather to cut off the skin and remove the blubber and meat at low tide. Almost all the whale is eaten, but the skeleton is taken up by the sea at the next high tide and the remains can be found in shallow waters where various invertebrates and fish clean the bones.
The jury praised the performance of the photographer, who had to free dive into the Greenland ice cap. It also highlighted the testimony of the whale massacre. "Since the advent of man, the number of wild animals has declined by 85%. Today, only 4% of mammals are wild animals; the remaining 96% are humans and our livestock."
Category winners
1 - Wide angle
This category, open to all, is for wide-angle shots taken anywhere in the world.
2 - Macro
Close-up/macro images taken all over the world. Open to all.
3 - Wrecks
This category is dedicated to wide-angle to macro images taken on wrecks. The wreck can be the main subject, or simply the backdrop for a photograph of marine life, a macro or a diver. Photos can be taken anywhere in the world. Open to all.
4 - Behavior
Wide-angle, close-up and macro images showing the interesting natural behavior of underwater life. These images can be taken anywhere in the world. Open to all.
5 - Portrait
Wide-angle, close-up and macro images illustrating the character of the chosen subject. These images can be shot anywhere in the world. Open to all.
6 - Black and white
Black and white images of any underwater subject (macro or wide angle) taken anywhere in the world. Toning and dyeing permitted. Open to all.
7 - Compact
Wide-angle or close-up/macro images taken anywhere in the world (including the UK) with a compact camera (includes phone photos and still images from GoPro and other action cameras, does not include mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses). Open to all.
8 - Up & Coming
Wide-angle or close-up/macro images taken anywhere in the world (including the UK). Open only to underwater photographers who have never won a major international photography competition and whose work is not regularly printed in paying publications. The aim of this category is to showcase the work of new talent.
9 - Wide angle on British waters
Images taken anywhere in British waters. Open to all.
10 - British Waters Macro
Close-up/macro images taken anywhere in British waters. Open to all.
11 - British Waters Living Together
Both macro and wide-angle images, showing nature and man's activities in the sea (British waters only) - living together.
12 - British Waters Compact
Wide-angle or close-up/macro images taken in British waters with a compact camera (includes phone photos and still images from GoPro and other action cameras, does not include mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses). Open to all.
Additional category: Save our Seas Foundation Marine Conservation
