Outdoor Photographer of the Year Book Review

The Outdoor Photographer of the Year competition is now in its 6^th year and the OPOTY Portfolio II book is a celebration of some of the best photography from around the world. From more than 17,000 entries into the competition, this beautiful book holds the best 160 images from eight different categories, including a category dedicated to underwater images.

We have to admit some slight bias in this review up front – as when we opened up the parcel, our attention was drawn to the fact that one of Nick’s shots of two sharks in South Africa had made the back cover and, of course, was also reproduced in the “Under Exposed” chapter dedicated to underwater photography. He is very proud to have an image featured alongside all the other stunning imagery in the book.

Photo: Darren Ciolli-Leach

The Outdoor Photographer of the Year book is a hardback that has focussed on reproducing 160 gorgeous images on quality paper and is something that you will be happy to pick up over and over again. Each time, you will find a new image that will hold your attention and read the caption along with the equipment and setting details. Each image is given plenty of room, taking up a whole page, or even running across two.

Photo: Johan Sundelin

The underwater category was won by Johan Sundelin from Sweden with a lovely shot of Californian Sea Lions taken in The Galapagos Islands whilst snorkelling. It is a touching shot of these enigmatic creatures with beautiful soft light. We will have an interview with Johan on Scubaverse in the near future to tell us more about this shot and his photography.

Photo: Hani Bader

The other underwater images show off the amazing diversity of the world that divers have special access too. There are vivid reef scenes, sharks, dolphins, crocodiles, octopus, schooling fish, caves, jellyfish, seahorses and divers. The images are from all around the world, taken in tropical waters and temperate waters. There is really something for everyone.