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 2003/04 |
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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 2003/04 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)
Silver Medal Winner
Over/Under (shots half topside, half U/W)
snorkelling in paindane , central mozambique under the rib in crystal water . nikon f100
Location: Mozambique
Bronze Medal Winner
Over/Under (shots half topside, half U/W)
Vermont Farm Pond (Nikon F4, 18mm, split diopter/filter)
Location:
Wide Angle - Natural Light (no strobe)
shots taken using ambient light i.e. unlit by flash or continuous lighting like HID but filters on the lens are allowed if declared
Gold Medal Winner
Wide Angle - Natural Light (no strobe)
Freediving with this female whaleshark in Mozambique was a stunning experience. Sea & sea MM2 ex +16mm
Location: Mozambique
Wide Angle - Wrecks
anything man-made that is sunk including cars, tanks, planes etc. - oh and ships!
Gold Medal Winner
Wide Angle - Wrecks
B24 Liberator Bomber ditched in 1944 indonesia lying @22m. All crew survived
Location: Indonesia
Silver Medal Winner
Wide Angle - Wrecks
PNG-New Ireland-Kavieng-wreck>DOK YANG Nik.RS-COMPOSING > divers/sharks
Location:
Bronze Medal Winner
Wide Angle - Wrecks
Getting roasted in south Jordanian waters this tank is an ideal refuge for big school of anthias. Taken in b&w ambience colours it is a special wreck also for beginners
Location:
Wide Angle - Divers
Divers doing what divers do - underwater or on the surface
Gold Medal Winner
Wide Angle - Divers
freediving with wild dolphins @ 15m in Mozambique. Natural light photo on breath hold
Location: Mozambique
Runner Ups
Wide Angle - Divers
Wide Angle - Marine Life
wide angle shots with no divers in frame
Gold Medal Winner
Wide Angle - Marine Life
Bite me! Nikon D100, 60mm lens
Location:
Bronze Medal Winner
Wide Angle - Marine Life
Nuisance the potatoe bass/grouper eyeing himself in the domeport while acompaning Fiona under schools of baitfish, Ponto do Ouro, Mozambique.
Location: Mozambique
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)
Silver Medal Winner
Macro - not swimming
Seahorse. My first try with a digital camera, Olympus camera with wide angle lens on housing
Location:
Bronze Medal Winner
Macro - not swimming
Moray eel eye and mouth detail. close up and detail of patterning of honeycomb moray, south africa
Location: South Africa
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
These wrasses were oblivious to my presence while fighting over territory.
Location:
Silver Medal Winner
Macro - swimming
Yellow trumpet fish, dive site=1000 steps on Bonaire, Nikon RS 50mm, slight up angle for blue background
Location:
Bronze Medal Winner
Macro - swimming
Pink anemonefish photographed on the Sankisan Maru in Truk. An example of how lush the marine life is in, on, and around these wrecks. Equipment: housed N90s, 105mm lens, Ikelite Substrobe 200.
Location:
Creative - Manipulated (Photoshopped)
Shots that have been digitally edited outside of the camera for creative reasons (not brightness/contrast etc.) in a program like PhotoShop
Gold Medal Winner
Creative - Manipulated (Photoshopped)
Silver Medal Winner
Creative - Manipulated (Photoshopped)
Northern Marianas-ROTA-- COMPOSING > submarine/divers - Nik.RS
Location:
Bronze Medal Winner
Creative - Manipulated (Photoshopped)
Found in the Read Sea :-)
Location:
Topside (above water but marine related)
shots above the surface. Can be on land but with relevance to the marine environment
Gold Medal Winner
Topside (above water but marine related)
Claudia and the cloud, Compass point, Bahamas...
Location:
Bronze Medal Winner
Topside (above water but marine related)
Micronesian Sunset; Nikon F, 28mm Lens
Location: