Winners medal
Winning here (or even just being placed) is Underwater Photography's most coveted accolade because it says you succeeded in the most competitive environment there is, against the top talent of the moment.
Every year a panel of judges select the best images entered in our online photo contest from the previous year. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded for the top three from each category in order of merit.
The judges comprise of industry professionals, previous year's World Champions, our site moderators - anyone we can rope in! They are unpaid, non-affiliated, and (of course) cannot vote for themselves.
You may not agree with the judges. You may think you have 'better shots' at home - prove it! Enter this year's contest.
| World Champion 2021/22 |
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The judges award the photographer who submits the most consistent and complete portfolio over the year World Champion.
Other photographers of distinction are awarded Grand Master.
 The overall 2021/22 World Champion is...
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Over/Under (shots half topside, half U/W)
shots that cross the surface boundary (so under/overs like Snells Window too)
Gold Medal Winner
Over/Under (shots half topside, half U/W)
half picture in Garden of the queen
Location: Cuba
Silver Medal Winner
Over/Under (shots half topside, half U/W)
"Peek a Boo, I see you!" Number one rule to wide angle photography is get closer and when you think you are close enough, get a little closer! I was not expecting a kiss on my dome port, but hey, thanks Mr. Crocodile for being patient with me!
Location: Cuba
Bronze Medal Winner
Over/Under (shots half topside, half U/W)
Bonifacio Corsica island
Location: France
Wide Angle - Marine Life
wide angle shots with no divers in frame
Gold Medal Winner
Wide Angle - Marine Life
a couple of sealions are playing and hunting on a school of sardines
Location: Mexico
Silver Medal Winner
Wide Angle - Marine Life
Komodo national park
Location: Indonesia
Bronze Medal Winner
Wide Angle - Marine Life
Komodo
Location: Indonesia
Runner Ups
Wide Angle - Marine Life
Wide Angle - Close Focus
shots taken with a WIDE ANGLE (or fisheye) lens having 1) a well defined close subject (usually strobe-lit) AND 2) a wide angle BACKGROUND with a second subject, usually a diver
Gold Medal Winner
Wide Angle - Close Focus
Medsea shark egg CFWA shot
Location: Italy
Silver Medal Winner
Wide Angle - Close Focus
Macro - not swimming
Smaller subjects typically 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5cm) shot on macro settings or with macro equipment that are NOT MOVING usually on the bottom (i.e. between 1:1 and 1:3)
Gold Medal Winner
Macro - not swimming
Shrimp from the Eastern Mediterranean - Pulchricaudatus sp.
Location: Cyprus
Silver Medal Winner
Macro - not swimming
Scorpion fish face
Location: Philippines
Bronze Medal Winner
Macro - not swimming
Dancing in the current (two White-tufted worms Protula tubularia)
Location: Croatia
Runner Ups
Macro - not swimming
Macro - swimming
Smaller subjects typically 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5cm) shot on macro settings or with macro equipment that are in MID WATER not touching anything (i.e. between 1:1 and 1:3)
Gold Medal Winner
Macro - swimming
Juvenile banded driftfish (Psenes arafurensis)
bwd
Location: Philippines
Silver Medal Winner
Macro - swimming
A little cuttlefish hovering in front of my lens.
Location: Indonesia
Bronze Medal Winner
Macro - swimming
This juvenile Trunkfish was about the size of a pea. It was pretty active, darting in and out of the coral head, but it finally settled down enough for me to get this shot head on. Nikon D850, Nauticam housing, INON z330 strobes.
Location: Netherlands Antilles
Macro - Nudibranchia
Sea slugs. A subject popular with macro guys! (means naked gills) Flatworms allowed
Gold Medal Winner
Macro - Nudibranchia
Flabellina affinis
Location: Spain
Silver Medal Winner
Macro - Nudibranchia
Nudi portrait
Location: Philippines
Macro - Super macro
Shots taken (at smaller than 1:1) with multiple extension rings, diopters, or teleconverters of extremely small subjects typically less than 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Gold Medal Winner
Macro - Super macro
West Papua Raja Ampat
Location: Indonesia
Silver Medal Winner
Macro - Super macro
X-ray :-)
Shrimp in Bangka Island North Sulawesi(I don't know exactly the species)
Location: Indonesia
Macro - Close-Up
Shots taken of a subject between 3 inches and 1 foot (7.5 to 30cm) in size (e.g. large fish or diver head) that dominates the frame - any background is incidental and occupies LESS THAN 50% of frame
Gold Medal Winner
Macro - Close-Up
Rhinomuraena quaesita
Location: Indonesia
Silver Medal Winner
Macro - Close-Up
Photo of a shrimp goby
Location: Indonesia
Bronze Medal Winner
Macro - Close-Up
This is a photo of an octopus seeking refuge in the dead sea shells. Found in Anilao Pier, Anilao, Batangas, Philippines which is a common sighting in the area. Octopus is one of my favourite subjects.
Location: Philippines
Sharks
Shots where sharks are the predominant subject. Sponsored by Stuart Cove's
Gold Medal Winner
Sharks
Great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran), Tiger Beach, Bahamas
Location: Bahamas
Silver Medal Winner
Sharks
"Splash"
Blacktip shark breaking through the surface back into the water after trying to grad a sardine.
Location: South Africa
Bronze Medal Winner
Sharks
Majestic Blue Shark
Location: Mexico
Temperate Waters
Seas with green water well north or south of tropical zones typically cold enough for drysuits!
Gold Medal Winner
Temperate Waters
BRIGHTWHITE
Location: Netherlands
Fashion
Underwater Fashion Photography, Trash the Dress, Wedding and Couple shots and any other shot with models underwater
Gold Medal Winner
Fashion
Self Portrait- Making my own Sunshine
Woman in gold against a golden backdrop, despite the rain at the surface of the water.
Location: United States
Silver Medal Winner
Fashion
Reflection
Location: Germany
Bronze Medal Winner
Fashion
Venus + jupiter
Location: France