News
Extraordinary Underwater Images Scoop UPY 2019 Awards
A thrilling photograph showing the exact moment a pack of grey reef sharks catch and devour a parrotfish sees British photographer Richard Barnden named Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019. Barnden’s photograph triumphed over 5000 underwater pictures entered by underwater photographers from 65 countries around the world.
© Richard Barnden/UPY2019
“The Gauntlet” was taken underwater, late at night on the reefs of French Polynesia in the centre of the Pacific Ocean. Barnden explains “As I descended, hundreds of sharks covered the bottom. This unlucky parrotfish flinched, and that tiny movement alerted the swarm of sharks. The mayhem hurtled straight towards me and I instinctively pressed the shutter, moments later all that remained was a rain of parrotfish scales in the darkness, and this photo on my camera.” Barnden, 40, is originally from Brighton, England, but now lives on the small island of Palau, in Micronesia.
Chair of the judges, Dr Alexander Mustard MBE, commented “Photography is about preserving moments and what an unforgettable instant this is. Using a wide angle lens, the photographer takes us into the full drama of the hunt, as a melee of grey reef sharks rise like a breaking wave to tear apart their prey, truly revealing the ocean’s wilder side.”
Spanish photographer, Eduardo Acevedo from Tenerife, was named Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year 2019 for his photo showing a loggerhead turtle entangled in a discarded plastic fishing net. Acevedo says “the turtles come to the Canary Islands by crossing the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean and have to avoid many man made dangers, like plastics, ropes and fishing nets. This individual was one of the lucky ones because we were able to free it and recover the net.”
© Eduardo Acevedo/UPY2019
Judge Mustard adding “plastic pollution and ghost fishing are ever increasing serious issues threatening the ocean, this sad image highlights both issues”.
The Underwater Photographer of the Year competition also aims to promote new photographic talent. Korean Taeyup Kim was named as Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019 for a technically challenging image half in and half out of the water. “Paradise” shows healthy corals growing in front of a resort in French Polynesia. Kim explains “this photo was physically tough to shoot, holding the heavy camera exactly in this position while floating in the water”.
© Taeyup Kim/UPY2019
Competition judge Martin Edge commented “A perfect under and over split. One of the best examples I have seen of this type of image for some time.”
The title of Most Promising British Underwater Photographer, 2019 goes to Malcolm Nimmo from Plymouth in England. His image “Marine Compass” was taken while snorkelling in the Scilly Islands, in the UK. Nimmo explains “maintaining both the surface features and subject illumination requires high strobe power settings and hence careful strobe positioning. Hopefully this image highlights the beautiful marine environments we are lucky to have around the UK.”
© Malcolm Nimmo /UPY2019
Competition judge, Peter Rowlands commented “Composition, colour vibrancy and contrast combined with an unusual angle kept it rising in the rankings with each viewing.”
UPY 2019 Full Results
Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019 Richard Barnden (United Kingdom)
British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019 Richard Barnden (United Kingdom)
Up and Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019 Taeyup Kim (Korea)
Most Promising British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019 Malcolm Nimmo (United Kingdom)
Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year 2019 Eduardo Acevedo (Spain)
1) Wide Angle
Winner: François Baelen (Reunion)
© François Baelen/UPY2019
2) Macro
Winner: Fabio Iardino (Italy)
© Fabio Lardino/UPY2019
3) Wrecks
Winner: René B. Andersen (Denmark)
© René B. Andersen/UPY2019
4) Behaviour
Winner: Richard Barnden (United Kingdom)
5) Portrait
Winner: Nicholas Samaras (Greece)
© Nicholas Samaras/UPY2019
6) Black & White
Winner: Henley Spiers (Philippines)
© Henley Spiers/UPY2019
7) Compact
Winner: Enrico Somogyi (Germany)
© Enrico Somogyi/UPY2019
8) Up & Coming
Winner: Taeyup Kim (Korea, Republic of)
9) British Waters Wide Angle
Winner: Robert Bailey (United Kingdom)
© Robert Bailey/UPY2019
10) British Waters Macro
Winner: Arthur Kingdon (United Kingdom)
© Arthur Kingdon/UPY2019
11) British Waters Living Together
Winner: Victoria Walker (United Kingdom)
© Victoria Walker/UPY2019
12) British Waters Compact
Winner: Martin Edser (United Kingdom)
© Martin Edser/UPY2019
Marine Conservation
Winner: Eduardo Acevedo (Spain)
To see all the incredible images that were placed in this years awards, or to learn more about the competition please visit the UPY website by clicking here.
To download the free 175 page downloadable Yearbook please click here.
Save up to $1100 on select liveaboard dive trips from June through October 2025
Explorer Ventures Fleet is turning up the heat with its new Hot Summer / Cool Prices sale. For a limited time, divers can save $1000 or more on select liveaboard departures from June through October 2025.
Whether you’re ready to dive into crystal-clear summer waters or planning a cool fall escape, this promotion offers major savings on world-class dive adventures in the Galápagos, Turks & Caicos, and the Caribbean.
Hot Summer / Cool Prices – For the Summer Dive Traveler:
From June through August, take advantage of deep discounts on summer getaways. Enjoy up to $1100 off select trips aboard the Humboldt Explorer in the Galápagos or save $1000 on select summer departures aboard Turks & Caicos Explorer Il and Caribbean Explorer II, exploring magic of Saba and St. Kitts.
Cool Fall / Hot Prices – For Travel in the Fall:
Leave the cool weather and falling leaves behind — fall is the perfect time to head south and save. Take $1000 off select departures from September through October aboard Turks & Caicos Explorer II and Caribbean Explorer II.
See all details and departure dates: www.explorerventures.com/discounts-and-specials
Space is limited – and once the trips are full, the savings are gone. Book now to secure your spot!
Looking for other dates or destinations? There are more savings available across the fleet, including liveaboard diving holidays in Indonesia, the Maldives, the Red Sea, and Palau. Explore all current deals here: https://www.explorerventures.com/year-of-savings-dive-liveaboard-specials/
Contact:
1.800.322.3577 (US/Canada) | +1.307.235.0683
About Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Fleet
Since 1987, Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Fleet has been delivering world-class liveaboard diving, blending authentic experiences with a commitment to safety and sustainability. Operating in some of the world’s most breathtaking underwater destinations, their fleet of well-appointed vessels ensures every guest enjoys the highest level of comfort and care.
Explorer Ventures is proud to be the first liveaboard company to collaborate with Green Fins, earning certifications on four vessels: Caribbean Explorer II, Turks & Caicos Explorer II, Tiburon Explorer, and Humboldt Explorer. Notably, Tiburon Explorer and Humboldt Explorer are the only PADI Eco Centers designated in the Galápagos, underscoring their dedication to sustainable and responsible diving practices. With exceptional destinations, a global array of itineraries, and diver-focused design across the fleet, every voyage is crafted for comfort, convenience, and adventure—both above and below the surface.
The Shark Trust Great Shark Snapshot is back for its 4th year! And this time the Shark Trust are asking you to Make Every Dive Count!
The Shark Trust Great Shark Snapshot is back for its 4th year! And this time the Shark Trust are asking you to Make Every Dive Count! The last week of July will see the return of the Shark Trust’s citizen science initiative: The Great Shark Snapshot. It encourages divers and snorkellers, all around the world, to record the sharks and rays that they see. This year it takes place between the 19th and 27th July. Get ready to dive in!
The event is back for its 4th year, and it is happening in “Shark Month”, more commonly known as July! To coincide with a series of events that celebrate all things shark and ray, including Shark Week and the 50th anniversary of Jaws.
Divers, clubs, centres, charter boats and liveaboards are all encouraged to show their support by organising dives and events throughout the week. As well as gathering vital data, the event will provide a chance to celebrate the incredible shark and ray species that live in our ocean.
Information about the species and numbers of sharks and rays the participants find over the week will be added to the Shark Trust’s Shark Log. This global shark census will, over time, allow shark scientists to build a picture of species distribution and any changes that occur
Caroline Robertson-Brown, Marketing Manager at the Shark Trust said “It is great to see this popular citizen science event back for its 4th year. We are asking divers to Make Every Dive Count this year. To identify. Count and Record every shark, ray and eggcase they see during the week-long event. To organise dives especially to take part. Whether you are diving your local dive site, or on a trip of a lifetime, we want divers to join in on the Great Shark Snapshot in July.”
It is easy to join in. Just go diving between 19th and 27th July and record every shark, ray, skate or eggcase that you and your dive group sees. If possible, take photos and some video footage too. Then make sure that you record your sightings on the Shark Trust Shark Log recordings website or by using the Shark Trust app.
This year we have created a digital guide that puts all the information you need in one handy online guide. Which can be downloaded from the website.
The Great Shark Snapshot is a way for divers to get together, go diving, and do something to help shark conservation. Why not dive in?
Find out more here: www.sharktrust.org/snapshot
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