The winners for the Underwater Photography of the Year competition have just been announced and the images are absolutely spectacular. Here are the winning shots across the eight international and three British categories.
Although the inagural competition was only started four years ago, it finds its origins in the Brighton Underwater Film Festival, which has been celebrating underwater video and photography since 1965.
Here are the best of the best from this year’s entries.
Underwater Photographer of the Year
Cycle-War by Tobias Friedrich (Germany)
This was also the winner of the ‘Wrecks’ category.
British Underwater Photographer Of The Year
Love Birds by Grant Thomas (UK)
This was also the winner of the ‘British Waters Wide Angle’ category.
Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year
Roar by Man BD (Malaysia)
Most Promising British Underwater Photographer
How Many Pike? by Tony Stephenson (UK)
Wide-Angle
Humpback Whale Spy Hopping by Greg Lecoeur (France)
Macro
Seahorse Density by Shane Gross (Canada)
Behaviour
The Fisherman by Filippo Borghi (Italy)
Portrait
A Sand Tiger Shark Surrounded By Tiny Bait Fish by Tanya Houppermans
Black & White
Crocodile Reflections by Borut Furlan (Slovenia)
Compact Cameras
Dancing With The Giants by Simone Matucci (New Zealand)
British Waters Macro
Battle of the Tompots by Henley Spiers (UK)
British Waters Compact
Scratchy Seal by Vicky Paynter (UK)
You can see all short listed entries and read more about the photographs at the Underwater Photographer Of The Year website.