WINNER CHOSEN AND REVIEW BY SCUBAVERSE.COM’S UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR NICK ROBERTSON-BROWN

WINNER: Away from the multitude by Giacomo Antonio Rossi

Another great month full of wonderful underwater images!

When judging any underwater photography competition, the first thing I do is ask of each image: Is it in focus? The main subject has to be pin sharp. Is it exposed correctly?

I then look at lighting (photography is all about light) and composition. Backscatter, hot spots of light, messy backgrounds: all might see your image lose out.

Then there are other considerations that might get you knocked out of the first round: Was the image taken underwater? After all it is an underwater photography competition! Were any animals distressed or harassed to get the image? Was any environmental damage done to get the shot?

Once I have whittled out the images that do not pass these criteria, it is time to get down to picking a winner. A shot that makes me go wow – I wish I had taken that!

Dance Through the Night by Sofia Tenggrono: Beautiful detail in this image and what I especially like is that the crab has not been moved onto a bright or pretty location as they so aften are.

Parablennius yatabei in seashell by Min seok Jeon: Interesting to see this blenny hiding in a shell like this. Lovely expression. You did well to isolate the subject.

Away from the multitude by Giacomo Antonio Rossi: you say this is a lucky shot – but there is no such thing! This is stunning too. The mass of mobulars in the sunshine with this devil ray swimming its own way. Wonderful!

Mobula by Claude Lespagne: Lovely image of this ray cruising over the submerged island in the deep blue. I like the way the mobula is turning, and the underside is lit perfectly against the blue.

Angel face by Cedric Peneau: A really lovely portrait. Eye contact with both eyes. Sharp focus on the subject and lovely bokeh background.

Leopard moray eel (Enchelycore pardalis) by arnaud.guillebert: What an amazing moray! Incredible colour and pattern and those teeth!

Sand Storm Lord by Maria Bereozka: I love the sand storm the blue-spotted ray has created. By looking at a still image, you can still imagine exacty what movement is going on.

After much deliberation by our judge….

The results

Winner: Away from the multitude by Giacomo Antonio Rossi

Runner-up: Dance Through the Night by Sofia Tenggrono

Third: Mobula by Claude Lespagne

Highly Commended: Angel face by Cedric Peneau

Congratulations to those who were placed – there were a number of excellent images, and well done to all those that entered.

Scubaverse.com’s July 2022 Underwater Photo Contest is now open! Enter as many as three of your underwater photos here.

WINNER CHOSEN AND REVIEW BY SCUBAVERSE.COM’S UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR NICK ROBERTSON-BROWN

WINNER: Dolphins by Cedric Peneau

Another great month full of wonderful underwater images!

When judging any underwater photography competition, the first thing I do is ask of each image: Is it in focus? The main subject has to be pin sharp. Is it exposed correctly?

I then look at lighting (photography is all about light) and composition. Backscatter, hot spots of light, messy backgrounds: all might see your image lose out.

Then there are other considerations that might get you knocked out of the first round: Was the image taken underwater? After all it is an underwater photography competition! Were any animals distressed or harassed to get the image? Was any environmental damage done to get the shot?

Once I have whittled out the images that do not pass these criteria, it is time to get down to picking a winner. A shot that makes me go wow – I wish I had taken that!

Flames by Raffaele: stunning nudibrach portrait. Vivid colours against a black background. Stunning details.

From the Below by Raffaele: Such an strong image. The manta in a barrel roll is lit in a way that really shows off the movement and grace of this magnificent beast.

Odontaspis ferox by claude lespagne: A super sand tiger shark portrait. I love that you can see the seascape and surface in this shot.

the face of the seahorse by Min seok Jeon: A really close up portrait of a seahorse shows off its incredible eye. Great focus.

Lion Mane by Sofia Tenggrono: Another super nudibranch portrait. Head on, with a black background, this yelow and blue nudi image really stands out.

Orcinus Orca by Giacomo Antonio Rossi: Wow! I would have loved to have seen and photographer this moment. lovely eye contact and the second orca following is the icing on the cake.

Nice to meet you! by Maria Bereozka: I like this as it shows the reef below and it looks like the manta is having a lot of fun!

Gorgonocéphale (Astrocladus euryale) by arnaud.guillebert: Super colours and detail. Sometimes the simle things can really stand out.

Lights in the dark by Maria Bereozka: One of my favourite animals in the sea. I love this image. So simple, yet stunning. The beautiful pattern on the eagle ray is the only focus.

Dolphins by Cedric Peneau: Stunning portrait of two dolphins. I love how they are so engaged with the photographer. It really shows off their characters. The detail is wonderful.

After much deliberation by our judge….

The results

Winner: Dolphins by Cedric Peneau

Runner-up: Orcinus Orca by Giacomo Antonio Rossi

Third: Lion Mane by Sofia Tenggrono

Highly Commended: Lights in the dark by Maria Bereozka & From the Below by Raffaele

Congratulations to those who were placed – there were a number of excellent images, and well done to all those that entered.

Scubaverse.com’s June 2022 Underwater Photo Contest is now open! Enter as many as three of your underwater photos here.