Photo / Video News & Reviews
Enter Monthly Underwater Photography Competitions with Wrecks of the World
Wrecks of the World is one of the most inspiring underwater photography groups in the global diving community. The Facebook group was founded by Christian Llewellyn after he went on a liveaboard trip in the Red Sea.
“Since my first wreck dive in Barbados on a Greek freighter named the Stavronikita, I was hooked on these amazing objects found under the sea,” said Christian. “I was left with so many questions – how did they get there? Who was the crew? What was the cargo? How long had they been there? So much history, mystery and adventure, which really inspired my diving career.”
“When we started I had already joined a few photography groups but I thought it would be great to create a Wreck photography group where people could engage in sharing healthy and productive conversations, posting their images in a safe environment, providing information for others, travel info, marine life found on wrecks, the history and any skills or equipment needed or used to capture wreck images, which has resulted in truly improving people’s photography and diving.”
Christian says that as divers and underwater photographers we are guests in a fragile underwater world and we must not tamper so others can enjoy them in the future. We must always remember marine and Wreck conservation is our own duty to follow.
In the near future Christian will be starting a new Wrecks of the World t-shirt line, a website with wreck directory, expedition trips to visit wrecks of the world, and at the end of the summer season there will be a splash in competition weekend in Malta, where you can dive some amazing wrecks in the perfect clarity of the Mediterranean sea. While on land you can enjoy the local scenery, cuisine and hospitality of all the local Maltese dive centres and businesses.
Wrecks Of The World Photo Championship 2017
Monthly competitions are open to all members of the Wrecks Of The World wreck photography group on Facebook. Whether you are an amateur photographer or a seasoned professional, all members are welcome to enter the competitions, and it is OK if you use a compact camera, a GoPro, a DLSR or a mirrorless camera system. Everyone who enters has the chance to win an amazing Wrecks of the World T-shirt in their choice of colour.
So hunt through your hard drive and find your best photographs using a model whilst wreck diving and post it on this month’s event wall, where you will find all the information, rules, prizes, the Wrecks of the World competition table plus nearly four thousand like-minded people from around the globe who simply love wrecks.
Also remember that every competition throughout the year will work on a point system, which concludes at the end of the year with a special live online ceremony with the highest scoring member being crowned the Wrecks Of The World Champion of the year, receiving a special mystery grand prize. You can watch the Wrecks of the World 2016 Championship Ceremony movie at the end of this article.
April’s theme: “Wreck modelling”
Capturing a diver as a model can help or actually detract your photograph. There is a subtle balance needed to compliment the two focal points simultaneously, which should result in a seamless well-balanced image. From a simple photograph of a diver which lets the viewer gaze at the shear scale of a wreck, to a well planned complex narrative being produced through the combination of an interesting angle, use of leading lines, colour, lighting and contrast.
All should show a diver having a passive interaction with a wreck.
The judges will be looking for your photograph to show use of a model, which compliments the environment and a visitor admiring it. A photograph that might inspire divers to try wreck diving for the first time or to make non-divers want to engage with the image, it’s history and possibly left wondering what it would be like to visit one of these time capsules.
Wrecks of the World Links:
Wrecks Of The World photography group
Here’s the Wrecks of the World 2016 Championship Ceremony movie:
An emotive photograph showing a freediver examining the aftermath of whaling sees
Alex Dawson from Sweden named Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024. Dawson’s
photograph ‘Whale Bones’ triumphed over 6500 underwater pictures entered by underwater
photographers from around the world.
“Whale Bones was photographed in the toughest conditions,” explains chair of judging
panel Alex Mustard, “as a breath-hold diver descends below the Greenland ice sheet to bear
witness to the carcasses. The composition invites us to consider our impact on the great
creatures of this planet. Since the rise of humans, wild animals have declined by 85%. Today,
just 4% of mammals are wildlife, the remaining 96% are humans and our livestock. Our way
needs to change to find a balance with nature.”
Photo: Rafael
Fernandez Caballero
Whales dominated the winning pictures this year with Spanish photographer Rafael
Fernandez Caballero winning two categories with his revealing photos of these ocean giants:
a close up of a grey whale’s eye and an action shot of a Bryde’s whale engulfing an entire bait
ball, both taken in Magdalena Bay, Baja California, Mexico. Fernandez Caballero took ‘Grey
Whale Connection’ while drifting in a small boat, holding his camera over the side in the water
to photograph the curious whale. ‘The End Of A Baitball’ required Fernandez Caballero to dive
down and be in exactly the right place at the moment the whale lunged. “The photo shows
the high speed attack,” he said, “with the whale engulfing hundreds of kilograms of sardines
in one bite — simply unforgettable to see predation on such a scale.”
Photo: Rafael
Fernandez Caballero
Lisa Stengel from the United States was named Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 for her image of a mahi-mahi catching a sardine, in Mexico. Stengel used both a very fast shutter speed and her hearing to catch the moment. “If you listen there’s an enormous amount of sound in the ocean,” she explained. “The action was too fast to see, so I honed in on the sound of the attacks with my camera to capture this special moment.”
“It is such an exciting time in underwater photography because photographers are capturing such amazing new images, by visiting new locations and using the latest cameras,”
commented judge Alex Mustard. “Until this year I’d hardly ever see a photo of a mahi mahi,
now Lisa has photographed one hunting, action that plays out in the blink of an eye.”
The Underwater Photographer of the Year contest is based in the UK, and Jenny Stock,
was named as British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 for her image “Star
Attraction”, which finds beauty in species of British wildlife that are often overlooked.
Exploring the west coast of Scotland, Stock explained “in the dark green depths my torch
picked out the vivid colours of a living carpet of thousands of brittle stars, each with a
different pattern. I was happily snapping away, when I spotted this purple sea urchin and I
got really excited.”
Photo: Jenny Stock
In the same contest, Portuguese photographer, Nuno Sá, was named ‘Save Our Seas
Foundation’ Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year 2024, with his photo ‘Saving
Goliath’, taken in Portugal. Sá’s photo shows beachgoers trying to save a stranded sperm
whale. The picture gives us hope that people do care and want to help the oceans, but also
warns us that bigger changes are needed. “The whale had been struck by a ship and its fate
was sealed,” explains Sá. “An estimated 20,000 whales are killed every year, and many more
injured, after being struck by ships-and few people even realise that it happens.”
Photo: Nuno Sá
More winning images can be found at www.underwaterphotographeroftheyear.com.
About Underwater Photographer of the Year
Underwater Photographer of the Year is an annual competition, based in the UK, that celebrates photography beneath the surface of the ocean, lakes, rivers and even swimming pools, and attracts entries from all around the world. The contest has 13 categories, testing photographers with themes such as Macro, Wide Angle, Behaviour and Wreck photography, as well as four categories for photos taken specifically in British waters. The winners were announced in an award ceremony in Mayfair, London, hosted by The Crown Estate. This year’s UPY judges were experienced underwater photographers Peter Rowlands, Tobias Friedrich and Dr Alexander Mustard MBE.
Header image: Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 winner Alex Dawson
The winners of the prestigious World Shootout 2023 underwater photography competition were announced at this year’s BOOT Show, captivating audiences at the world’s largest diving and water sports exhibition in Dusseldorf, Germany. Hundreds of photographers from 54 countries competed across nine categories, pushing the boundaries of creativity and technical skill.
Grand Prize Winners
- Picture of the Year: Spanish photographer Eduardo Acevedo “secured” the top Honor with the prestigious prize the “boot Dusseldorf Director’s Prize, earning an Andromeda statuette and a €2,000 cash prize.
- Best 5 Images Portfolio: Luc Rooman from Belgium triumphed in this category, winning a dream 4-week diving trip for two to Papua New Guinea, valued at $18,900.
- Amateur Photographer: Alexandra Ceurvorst from the USA impressed the judges with her talent, taking home the 1,000 € cash prize award.
Celebrating Diversity and Innovation
This year’s competition saw 11,680 entries from 964 photographers, showcasing a remarkable spectrum of skills and perspectives. From the intricate wonders of Macro photography to the beauty of “Black Water”, the “Underwater Fashion” category added a touch of artistry and innovation, while the ever-important ” Environmental & Conservation” category served as a powerful reminder of the need to protect these fragile ecosystems.
Looking Ahead: AI and Ocean Conservation
World Shootout founder and producer David Pilosof unveiled an exciting addition for the 2024 competition: this year the Environmental category will be focusing on the impact of plastic on our oceans and future.
This category will embrace the potential of AI or other editing software as a tool to amplify the conservation message.
Entrants will submit campaigns of three original underwater photographs dealing with plastic pollution, along with their final AI assistance processing. This innovative approach encourages artistic expression while raising awareness about a critical environmental issue.
Explore the Stunning Collection
Discover the complete album of competition entries by clicking here.
For Low-resolution photos of finalist entries in eight categories, click here.
-
News3 months agoHone your underwater photography skills with Alphamarine Photography at Red Sea Diving Safari in March
-
News2 months agoCapturing Critters in Lembeh Underwater Photography Workshop 2024: Event Roundup
-
Marine Life & Conservation Blogs2 months agoCreature Feature: Swell Sharks
-
Blogs2 months agoMurex Resorts: Passport to Paradise!
-
Blogs2 months agoDiver Discovering Whale Skeletons Beneath Ice Judged World’s Best Underwater Photograph
-
Gear News3 months agoBare X-Mission Drysuit: Ideal for Both Technical and Recreational Divers
-
Gear Reviews2 months agoGear Review: Oceanic+ Dive Housing for iPhone
-
Marine Life & Conservation2 months agoSave the Manatee Club launches brand new webcams at Silver Springs State Park, Florida