Dive Into Brilliance: Unveiling the Winners of the 2024 Ocean Art Underwater Photography Contest!

The victors of the 2024 annual Ocean Art underwater photography competition have been revealed. The 13th edition of this contest has experienced unprecedented engagement with thousands of submissions from over 90 nations across 14 categories, contending for more than $60,000 in prizes.

The prestigious Best in Show title was presented to Eduardo Labat for his stunning image titled ‘Dancing White Tips,’ captured at Roca Partida, Revillagigedo, Mexico. Labat’s photograph documented a synchronized performance of white-tip reef sharks in the fiercely competitive Black & White category, earning him a five-day getaway for two with seven dives courtesy of All 4 Diving at the Akaya Bali resort.

This year’s Conservation category was also highly competitive, with Dawn McDonald’s touching third-place image of a shark ensnared in a ghost net standing out. McDonald’s photograph represents the alarming consequences of abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear on marine wildlife, and highlights Ocean Art’s support for Ghost Diving, a nonprofit organization focused on removing ghost gear and marine litter.

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‘This year’s Ocean Art contest was truly remarkable,’ declared Nirupam Nigam, the contest organizer as well as President of Bluewater Photo & Editor-in-Chief of the Underwater Photography Guide.

‘The skill and creativity exhibited by our participants have established new standards for underwater photography. These images transcend mere awards; they touch hearts and minds, reaching millions worldwide and reminding us of our collective duty to safeguard the ocean’s splendor. It’s a privilege to witness the competition expand in both scale and influence each year.’

This year’s panel of judges featured globally esteemed specialists in underwater photography, including Tony Wu, Marty Snyderman, and Mark Strickland. Canon and Marelux Ambassador Ipah Uid Lynn also participated as a new judge, contributing a fresh outlook to the Underwater Digital Art and Underwater Fashion categories.

Explore the winning submissions in each category below. A complete list of the victorious photos, runners-up, and honorable mentions can be viewed on the Underwater Photography Guide’s Ocean Art 2024 Winners Page.

Best in Show and winner, Black & White Category

Eduardo Labat – ‘Dancing White Tips’

The Narrative: It was our final dive of the day, during the afternoon as daylight began to diminish. At Roca Partida, numerous white tip sharks gather in small clusters across different ledges of the rock structure. On this specific afternoon, a substantial congregation of white tips began to form at a distance from the rocks. A multitude of sharks clustered tightly at an estimated depth of 25 feet. The sharks were neither hunting nor showing signs of aggression.

Having observed this exceptional occurrence from the edge of the formation, I gradually ascended to hover just above. That was the moment I captured this image. From my vantage point, the sharks appeared to be swimming in synchrony, moving in a circular pattern. It was a stunning sight to behold.

I opted for black and white for this photograph not only due to the geometric nature of the formation in this palette but also because of the inherent contrast that can be appreciated in black and white, specifically regarding the shark tips in relation to the rest of their physiques.

Location: Roca Partida. Revillagigedo, Mexico

Equipment Utilized: Sony A6600, Tokina 10-17mm F/3.5-4.5 Fish-eye lens, Nauticam Housing, Sea & Sea YS-D3 DUO strobes

Camera Configurations: 1/160 sec, f4.0, ISO 640

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1st Place Wide Angle

Hwanhee Kim – ‘Light‘

The Narrative: Light is nature’s most exquisite treasure. A week prior to capturing this image, heavy downpours occurred in Cancun. Sediment and nutrients from the nearby Carwash were carried into the cenote, resulting in breathtaking colors due to the varying concentration.

Generally, rain poses a challenge for underwater photography; however, in this particular scenario, it generated vibrant shades seldom seen beneath the surface.

The sunlight, with its powerful energy, penetrated through the reddish waters, unveiling a mesmerizing scene. The light acted as a bridge between land and the aquatic realm, as well as between nature and humanity. I felt fortunate to have witnessed this wonder and grateful for the opportunity to document it.

Location: Mexico, Rancho Viejo, Carwash

Equipment Utilized: Camera – Nikon D850, Housing – Nauticam, Strobe/light – Natural Light, Wet Lens – Nikon 8-15mm

Camera Configurations: ISO 1100, f/7.1, Shutter speed 1/125s

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1st Place Macro

Adam Martin – ‘Juvenile Batfish‘

The Narrative: This juvenile batfish was discovered at a depth of 85 feet in Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia. A snoot was utilized to focus the flash on the subject while minimizing illumination of the background. The lighting accentuates the texture and form of the fish’s body, highlighting its elegant lines and vibrant coloration.

Location: Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia

Equipment Utilized: Sony A7RV w/ Canon 100mm Macro Lens Nauticam Housing, Inon strobe with snoot

Camera Configurations: 1/250, f/13, ISO 320

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1st Place Marine Life Behavior

Yoichi Sato – ‘Born From Mouth‘

The Narrative: I was lucky enough to seize the priceless moment of a minute organism emerging. On a warm summer evening, while the majority of creatures were deep in slumber, a male Ostorhinchus properuptus, having finished a week-long incubation phase, summoned all its vigor and, with a quivering action, expelled a multitude of larvae from its mouth.

To lessen the fish’s anxiety, I monitored the event under a faint red illumination. At the precise moment of hatching, I employed red lighting with a specific configuration that turned off the red light immediately upon detecting the pre-flash of the strobe. This arrangement effectively removed any red light interference in the images, ensuring that the photograph represented the occurrence as authentically as possible.

Site: Minamisatsuma, Kagoshima, Japan

Gear Utilized: Canon EOS R5, Canon EF-S 60mm, F2.8 Macro USM, Nauticam housing, 2x INON Z330, 1x RG Blue S02RE-SNC

Camera Parameters: f/13, 1/125, ISO 400

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1st Place Portrait

Stefano Cerbai – ‘Outstanding Shipping‘

The Narrative: While on my honeymoon in Australia, one of the numerous awe-inspiring locations we explored was Southern Australia, where I had the opportunity to dive and seek the elusive sea dragon – a creature I had aspired to see for many years.

I was exceptionally fortunate not only to discover and observe one but also to photograph it whilst it was carrying its eggs, safeguarding them on its back near its tail. This remarkable moment was indeed a dream realized.

Site: Australia

Gear Utilized: Nikon D7200, Isotta housing, Ikelite flash, Tokina 10/17mm

Camera Parameters: 1/160, f16, ISO 250

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1st Place Cold Water

James Emery – ‘Inquisitive Cormorant‘

The Narrative: While diving in Monterey, I was capturing images of the Metridium fields when I observed a cormorant descending towards us. To my astonishment, it began pecking at my wife’s head, yet she remained completely unbothered. I swiftly swam over to take a few photographs, and then the cormorant’s focus diverted to the reflection in my camera’s dome port.

It accompanied us for nearly 20 minutes, surfacing for air before coming back to inspect us again. It was an exceptional and playful experience that offered me insight into the cormorant’s curiosity, and I was fortunate enough to document it.

Site: Metridium Fields, Monterey, California

Gear Utilized: Sony a7iii, Nauticam housing, Canon 8-15mm with metabones adapter, Kraken KS160 strobes.

Camera Parameters: f13, 1/80, ISO 500

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1st Place Nudibranchs

Borut Furlan – ‘Hooded nudibranchs‘

The Narrative: October 2024 marked my inaugural journey to Vancouver Island, and notably, my first time in Canada overall. My understanding of the region was rather limited; hence, I opted for a wide-angle zoom lens for the majority of my dives owing to its versatility.

This decision proved prudent as I was able to capture an extensive range of subjects (barring the tiniest ones). Upon entering the kelp forest inhabited by hooded nudibranchs, I was utterly astounded. I had never witnessed such a concentration of nudibranchs in a single location.

They were present in the thousands, everywhere you looked—on the seabed, clinging to kelp, and even swimming about. I shot numerous photographs of them, and this image is part of that collection.

Setting: Port Hardy, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

Gear Utilized: Nikon D850, Nikkor 28-80/3.3-5.6 + Nauticam WACP (modified to Seacam), two Seacam 150D strobes

Camera Preferences: ISO 400, f/14, 1/40s, 28mm

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1st Place Blackwater

Kyungshin Kim – ‘Hunting‘

The Narrative: I secured this image during a blackwater dive in Anilao last November. Initially, I observed two squids entwined and presumed they were engaged in mating. However, upon further examination, it became clear they were not mating; one squid was consuming the other, namely a smaller squid.

While squids are known for cannibalistic behavior, it’s uncommon to witness smaller squids preying on each other in blackwater dives. I meticulously followed their actions, managing to capture several photographs. After approximately 10 minutes, the coloration of the smaller squid being devoured began to diminish. Ultimately, it emitted a burst of black ink.

Shortly thereafter, the squid that had completed its meal gradually faded into the distance, while the squid that had fallen prey sank into the inky abyss of the ocean.

Setting: Anilao, Philippines

Gear Utilized: Nikon Z8, Nikon 60mm macro, Nauticam housing, 2 x Kraken S160, 1 x Weefine 5000 light

Camera Preferences: f20, 1/200s, ISO 200,

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1st Place Underwater Conservation

Kimber Greenwood – ‘Drowning in Plastic‘

The Narrative: This photograph was created as part of an advocacy initiative for the Florida Springs Council, highlighting the repercussions of water bottling on local Florida Springs. Every minute, over 300 bottles of water are manufactured at bottling plants situated just minutes from the Spring depicted in this image.

These bottles not only end up in landfills and introduce microplastics into our ecosystem, but the extraction of ‘Spring Water’ is depleting the Floridian Aquifer, leading to decreased water levels and flow, ultimately causing the deterioration of the Springs and rivers.

The bottles featured in this image were provided by a local conservation advocate who salvaged them from the production line of a nearby bottling facility. The images generated from this campaign are utilized in ongoing print and social media initiatives, designed to motivate individuals to opt for reusable water bottles over plastic containers that significantly harm the local Floridian environment.

Setting: USA, High Springs, Florida, Jonathan Springs

Gear Utilized: Sony A7IV, 24-70mm F2.8 GM,

Camera Preferences: 70mm, f3.5, 1/500, ISO 400

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1st Place Underwater Digital Art

Unkoo Kim – ‘Desire‘

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The Narrative: The waters off Seogwipo, where this photograph was taken, hold a special significance for me, imbued with warmth and treasured recollections. Nonetheless, it is hardly the perfect setting for underwater photography. The visibility is frequently poor, and the currents can be fierce.

While various regions encounter comparable obstacles, Seogwipo’s waters are even more challenged by increasing ocean temperatures, a scarcity of subjects, and additional elements that complicate the art of photography. I pondered, how might I produce images that genuinely encapsulate the allure of the marine life dwelling in Seogwipo’s waters?

The concept of employing light as a backdrop to illuminate these creatures struck me, and I embarked on a quest to showcase the remarkable beauty concealed within Seogwipo’s demanding waters. I captured this image during the peak season of the year. To obtain a frontal view of the main star, the Blue hana goby, I devoted countless hours to observing and approaching them. Many images had to be discarded throughout the process.

Envisioning the dynamic interaction between the Blue hana goby and bokeh lights, I utilized tools I had readied beforehand along with a modified vintage lens to merge multiple exposures with firework bokeh images. Although capturing firework photos is not exceedingly challenging, it demands meticulous planning, effort, practice, and, above all, time to foster a relationship with the subjects.

Locale: Seogwipo, Jeju Island, South Korea

Gear Utilized: Nikon D850, Nauticam Nikon D850 housing, Ikelite DS230 * 2 & Sofirn Underwater lantern, Nikon 60mm macro lens / Bell & Howell Filmovara modification

Camera Configurations: f/11, 1/160, ISO 100

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1st Place Underwater Fashion

Lucie Drlikova – ‘Long Live the Queen!‘

The Narrative: Underwater capture of the Evil Queen, elevated by her demons, drawing from the Snow White tale.

This image forms part of my individual venture Once Upon a Dream in Waterland, a project I’ve been diligently engaging in for seven years. This endeavor symbolizes a return to my youthful aspirations.

All costumes, settings, and props are handcrafted by me.

Locale: Aquapalace Praha, Czech Republic, Europe, at a swimming pool with a depth of 8 meters

Gear Utilized: Nikon D810, Nikor 17/35 f2/8 lens, Nauticam housing, Subtronic strobes

Camera Configurations: Aperture f/8, shutter speed 1/160, ISO 500

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1st Place Compact Wide Angle

Marco Lausdei – ‘Hunting in the Night‘

The Narrative: We find ourselves at one of the most renowned night diving spots globally: Maya Thila. I observed a whitetip reef shark moving in circular motions, clearly drawn to a swarm of silverfish located along the Thila drop-off. Utilizing a nearby rock for concealment, I cautiously concealed myself and reduced my bubbles, attempting to get as near as possible without disrupting the predator’s behavior.

Once the shark acclimatized to my presence, I patiently awaited one of its cyclical movements to draw it within range of the flash. I timed the capture to encompass not just the shark but also the swift movement of the potential prey’s school.

This photograph was captured from a bottom-to-top perspective, intentionally including the water’s surface to enhance depth and dimension in the frame. Comprehending the subject’s habits and behaviors was vital to the achievement of this shot.

Locale: Maldives – Fish head dive site

Gear Utilized: Sony RX100m5, Seafrog

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Camera Configuration: ISO 200, f10, 1/160sec

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1st Place Compact Macro

Naomi Springett – ‘Longnose Hawkfish‘

The Narrative: For our honeymoon, we embarked on a liveaboard diving expedition to the Great Barrier Reef. This image was captured during one of the most delightful dives of the journey; a vibrant coral bommie teeming with diverse macro life.

Resting proudly on the black sun coral (Tubastraea micranthus), this longnose hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) exhibited little concern over my presence and, to my enjoyment, remained stationary long enough for me to snap a few pictures before it swam away.

With many tropical fish being camera-shy, this encounter was an extraordinary experience. Black Sun Coral ranks among my preferred corals; the lush green hues provided a contrasting backdrop for this eye-catching fish, making this one of my cherished memories from a truly memorable diving adventure.

Site: Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Gear Utilized: TG-4 with PT-056 housing, dual Sea and Sea strobes

Camera Configuration: f/8, 1/40 sec, ISO-200, flash

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1st Place Compact Behavior

Naomi Springett – ‘Mutualism‘

The Narrative: This bluestreak cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) and variegated lizardfish (Synodus variegatus) were observed in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

These fishes exemplify mutualistic symbiosis, meaning both species gain benefits from their relationship. The cleaner wrasse feeds on dead skin and parasites from the larger fish, offering sustenance to the cleaner fish while keeping the lizardfish clean and healthy.

Typically, lizardfish are rather timid, generally not allowing photographers to approach too closely, but this particular individual was quite relaxed and posed for photos during its cleansing session. I was astonished to observe the smaller fish darting around the lizardfish, even entering its mouth, showcasing remarkable trust from the smaller fish, which eventually settled right atop the lizardfish’s head!

Site: Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Gear Utilized: TG-7 with PT-059 housing, dual Sea and Sea strobes

Camera Configuration: f/13, 1/80 sec, ISO-200, flash

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For further details regarding the Ocean Art competition and the Underwater Photography Guide, please visit www.uwphotographyguide.com