Spectacular Winning Photos Of The 2018 UK Underwater Photographer Of The Year Contest

The Underwater Photographer of the Year photo competition has just unveiled its winners for 2018. The photos provide gorgeous glimpses into the aquatic world that’s normally out of sight.

Up-and-coming underwater photographer of the year – winner. “Roar” by ManBd (Malaysia). Location: Yos Dive Lembeh house reef. While the photographer was shooting these three nudi a moray eel suddenly appeared out of the blue totally changing the composition. As the judge noted: “the result is a superb demonstration of blur which I would never have believed would work against the three nudis. The soft left eye of the moray together with the gleaming white teeth towards the bottom round off this image”. (Photo by ManBd UiDive/UPY 2018)

More info: Underwater Photographer of the Year

Underwater photographer of the year – winner. “Cycle War” by Tobias Friedrich (Germany). Location: SS Thistlegorm, Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. “Perfectly lit and composed, I predict that there will never be a better shot of this subject”, one judge said. Friedrich had to create a panoramic image and use lights to give the image more depth, because of restricted space. (Photo by Tobias Friedrich/UPY 2018)

British underwater photographer of the year – winner. “Love Birds” by Grant Thomas (UK). Location: Luss Pier, Loch Lomond, Scotland. Thomas’s initial idea was to frame a split shot of one swan feeding below the surface of the water but when he noticed how comfortable they were around him he was confident, with some patience, he could get that magical shot of the two. (Photo by Grant Thomas/UPY 2018)

Most promising British underwater photographer of the year – winner. “How many pike?” by Tony Stephenson (UK). Location: Stoney Cove, Leicestershire, UK. Stephenson noted that this “group” of male pikes were looking for a mate. Once they found one they pursued her relentlessly and were completely transfixed on gaining her attention. This allowed him to get close in front of the fish, fill the frame and led to him getting lots of good eye contact. (Photo by Tony Stephenson/UPY 2018)

Wide-angle category – winner. “Humpback whale spy hopping” by Greg Lecoeur (France). Location: Vavau’ , Tonga. Tonga offers probably the best opportunity to interact with humpback whales in blue water. The judges commented: “An amazing subject, caught at the precise peak of the action. Greg’s split level is an image that truly justifies being a split level. The gesture of the humpback reaching out with its pectoral fin completes the moment”. (Photo by Greg Lecoeur/UPY 2018)

Macro category – winner. “Seahorse Density” by Shane Gross (Canada). Location: Bahamas. The pond where Gross photographed this has the highest density of seahorses on Earth, but finding three together was a real gift. One judge commented: “Shane’s captivating frame offers a really fresh interpretation on this iconic subject, with three individuals silhouetted in a soup of prey, against a carefully exposed backlight”. (Photo by Shane Gross/UPY 2018)

Portrait category – winner. “A sand tiger shark surrounded” by tiny bait fish by Tanya Houppermans (US). Location: Wreck of Caribsea, North Carolina. Houppermans caught this dramatic shot while diving to the wreck of the Caribsea and seeing the fierce-looking, but docile, sand tiger sharks that frequent the wreck. On this particular day millions of tiny fish, collectively known as “bait fish”, were grouped together in an enormous bait ball above the wreck. As she moved with the shark through the water the bait fish parted way, giving her a clear shot of the underside of this beautiful shark. (Photo by Tanya Houppermans/UPY 2018)

British waters macro category – winner. “Battle of the Tompots” by Henley Spiers (UK). Location: Swanage Pier, Swanage, Dorset. These two tompot blennies are not kissing but engaged in a ferocious battle over mating rights. As one judge pointed out: “Who says British fish lack colour and character? This shot has got it right in all the right places. Sharp when needed and blurred when not”. (Photo by Henley Spiers/UPY 2018)

Behaviour category – winner. “The Fisherman” by Filippo Borghi (Italy). Location: Osezaki, Japan. In winter time the Izu peninsula in Tokyo area becomes a stopover for the Asiatic cormorant before they move on to China. This is the best moment to try to shoot this amazing sea bird whilst they dive and fish. (Photo by Filippo Borghi/UPY 2018)

Black & white category – winner. “Crocodile reflections” by Borut Furlan (Slovenia). Location: Jardines de la Reina, Cuba. Judge’s comments: “Crocodiles are popular subjects, their jaws are both eye-catching and graphic. Borut’s image perfectly suits black and white, with the sinuous reflections on the surface of the inky water”. (Photo by Borut Furlan/UPY 2018)

Compact category – runner up. “Flower Power” by Jack Berthomier (New Caledonia). Location: Ouemo Bay, New Caledonia. This picture shows three blennies hiding under a floating hibiscus flower. “Fantastic subject matter makes this image,” one judge said. (Photo by Jack Berthomier/UPY 2018)