Aussie topped Underwater Photographer of the Year

Australia’s-own Matty Smith has one other accolade so as to add to his already huge trophy cupboard, successful the annual Underwater Photographer of the Year (UPY) 2026 awards.

The NSW-based photographer’s successful picture, Rockpool Rookies, was chosen from greater than 7,900 entries worldwide, and was captured on Sealion Island within the Falklands.

“Once their pups are weaned, elephant seal mothers abandon them ashore,” Smith mentioned.

“I watched dozens of them clamber over each other in shallow rockpools, awkwardly studying to swim, and fairly participating to my presence. I’d come right here for this second, to witness and {photograph} their first solo classes in life.

On the very first night of my arrival, the sky ignited with color. I donned my dry swimsuit and rushed into the water, capturing a handful of frames earlier than the sunshine vanished. It turned out to be the defining second of the journey, and I’m glad I didn’t hesitate.”

As properly as the various accolades for his work, Smith is very regarded in underwater images circles for his distinctive under-over photographs, shot utilizing particular domes that he builds himself.

His picture was captured on a Nikon Z9, with a Nikkor Z 14-30mm f4 S lens, two Ikelite DS230 strobes and an Aquatica Digital AZ9 housing. 

Marine ecologist and UPY choose Alex Mustard praised the technical and narrative power of the picture.

“Smith used a special dome he built himself to capture the under-over perspective, perfectly balancing his lighting on the pups’ fur with the setting sun. Elephant seals were hunted to the brink of extinction, but their recovery over the last century is a powerful example of ocean resilience.”

The competitors had 14 classes, together with Macro, Wide Angle, Behaviour and Wreck Photography, amongst others, together with three devoted British underwater classes. 

Other worldwide class winners included Japan’s Kazushige Horiguchi, who received Behaviour for Clownfish Hatchout,

France’s Cecile Gabillon Barats, who claimed Wide Angle for a sperm whale calf portrait, and Israel’s Tom Shlesinger, who took Coral Reefs with a long-exposure shot of coral spawning.

The Up & Coming Underwater Photographer award went to American Sam Blount for Lunging Leopard, whereas China’s Jack Ho received the brand new Smartphone class.

Finally, the Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year title was awarded to Malaysia’s Khaichuin Sim for a hanging picture of the annual pilot whale hunt within the Faroe Islands.

You can see extra of the finalists on the Underwater Photographer of the Year website.