Photo / Video News & Reviews
Scubaverse Underwater Photographer Interview: Jane Morgan
In an ongoing series, Scubaverse’s Underwater Photography Editor Nick Robertson-Brown talks to underwater photographers from around the world that he admires. In this blog: Jane Morgan.
JM: Ever since I was a child I had strong attraction to the sea, in fact the first time I saw it as a toddler I ran straight in to the shock of my parents, who had to run in fully clothed to drag me back out.
In my past life I worked at DIVE magazine in London, but I am now Dive Safety Officer on the Marine and Natural History Photography degree course at Falmouth University.
I am inspired by a love of nature and the sea. I originally come from Bedfordshire, but spent most of my adult life in London before making the move to Cornwall in 2009. It’s the perfect mix of country and coastal living.
As I have the sea on my doorstep most of my diving is here in Cornwall, but I do enjoy diving over the rest of the UK too and try to arrange a couple of trips to other parts of England, Scotland, Wales or Ireland each year. But I do of course still enjoy some warm water diving when I can. I am also a part of a team from Falmouth University who take students to the Red Sea each year to hone their underwater photography skills.
NRB: How did your underwater photography start?
JM: I learned to dive in 1991, but didn’t pick up a camera until 2000 when a very persistent dive guide on a liveaboard insisted that I do a course. I had spent the late 90s working on conservation projects overseas and was suddenly wondering how to keep myself entertained underwater. It was love at first click. My proudest moment was winning the Plongeur D’Or at the Antibes Festival in 2006.
NRB: What is your favourite u/w camera equipment (past & present) & why?
JM: My first underwater camera was a second hand Motormarine II Ex, which I absolutely loved. Nowadays as I work at Falmouth University my own D300 with Sea & Sea housing has been in storage for some years as I need to be familiar with the uni kit so I can help the students. I am rather taken with the Nikon D500 in a Nauticam housing, plus as I’m a big fan of macro the Nauticam SMC is also a big favourite.
NRB: What would be your advice to anyone new to underwater photography?
JM: My advice to anyone new to underwater photography would be to get close and pick the brains of everyone who inspires you.
NRB: What, or who, has been your single biggest inspiration for your underwater photography?
JM: Due to his support and help in the early days I would have to say that Martin Edge was my big inspiration.
NRB: What image are you most proud of and why?
JM: The image I am most proud of right now would be a shot taken with the SMC in the Scillies of two skeleton shrimps and a sea spider. I just love that there is a whole tiny and almost invisible world down there if you can take the time to find it.
NRB: Where is your favourite dive location, and is it for the photography?
JM: The Cornwall and the Scillies have to be my favourite dive location. Maybe I’m biased as I live here. The UK can be more challenging that blue water diving, but it’s exciting, you never know what you may see, and when its good its amazing.
NRB: What are you views on marine life manipulation, moving subjects?
JM: I don’t agreed at all with moving or manipulating subjects underwater, I very much come from the generation of ‘take only photos leave only bubbles.’
NRB: What do you look for when you are making your images?
JM: I generally look for good backgrounds and compositions when making images. Also finding subjects that can be photographed without damaging any fragile habitats around them.
NRB: What motivates you to take u/w photos?
JM: I think what motivates me most is the ability to share the beauty of our oceans. We all know that the seas are in danger and as divers and underwater photographers we have a responsibility to help safeguard them. Many people have no idea of the life below the waves and hopefully by sharing the beauty more will be inspired to help save them.
RB: If you could photograph any one thing/place what or where would that be?
JM: If I could photograph one thing it would have to be whales. I’ve never been in the water with these majestic creatures and it would definitely be a dream come true.
To see more of Jane’s work click here.
Jane’s work will be featured in the next issue of Dive Travel Adventures magazine!
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.
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