News
Shipwreck Panorama Wins Underwater Photographer of the Year 2018

A panorama photograph of British World War II military vehicles deep inside a shipwreck in the Red Sea sees German photographer Tobias Friedrich named Underwater Photographer of the Year 2018. Friedrich’s photograph triumphed over 5000 underwater pictures entered by underwater photographers from all around the world.
“Cycle War” was taken in Egypt and shows Norton 16H motorbikes loaded in Fordson WOT 3 trucks, with soldierfish schooling above. Friedrich explains: “I had had this image in mind for a few years, but it is impossible to capture in one photo, because there is not space inside the wreck to photograph this scene in a single frame. My solution was take a series of pictures and stitch them together as a panorama.”
Chair of the judges, Peter Rowlands, added: “This is a quite extraordinary shot which must be viewed as large as possible. The artistic skill is to visualise such an image and the photographic talent is to achieve it.”
The title of British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2018 goes to Grant Thomas from Glasgow, who now lives in New Zealand. His photo of swans called “Love Birds” was taken in Loch Lomond, Scotland. Thomas explains: “I have always been fascinated by over-under photography, connecting the everyday terrestrial world that we all know with the less familiar underwater secrets. The swans were searching for food beneath the surface, I just had to wait for that perfect moment of synchronicity.”
Competition judge Martin Edge commented that “the symmetry makes this image a stand out.”
The Underwater Photographer of the Year competition also aims to promote new photographic talent. Malaysian Man BD was named as Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year 2018 for his image “Roar”, showing a pair of sea slugs with a gaping moray eel as a background, photographed in Indonesia. “When shooting these nudibranchs I was focusing on getting the shot,” explains Man, “When suddenly a moray eel appeared behind. It still took me about 30 minutes to get this shot.”
Competition judge Martin Edge commented “Great photography to use the moray as a background, with its gleaming white teeth, adds so much drama.”
The title of Most Promising British Underwater Photographer, 2018 goes to Tony Stephenson from the East Midlands in England. His image “How Many Pike?” reveals pike courtship in Stoney Cove, Leicestershire. Stephenson “I love photographing pike and on this dive during the Easter holidays, these males were looking for a mate,” commented Stephenson.
Competition judge, Alex Mustard commented that the image showed “fascinating behaviour from one of the UK’s top predators and a great advert for diving in freshwater in the UK.”
Here are the other category winners from the 2018 competition:
- Wide Angle Winner: ‘Humpback whale spy-hopping’ © Greg Lecoeur/UPY2018
- Macro Winner ‘Seahorse Density’ © Shane Gross/UPY2018
- Behaviour Winner ‘The Fisherman’ © Filippo Borghi/UPY2018
- Portrait Winner ‘A Sand Tiger Shark surrounded by tiny bait fish’ © Tanya Houppermans/UPY2018
- Black & White Winner ‘Crocodile Reflections’ © Borut Furlan/UPY2018
- Compact Winner ‘Dancing with Giants’ © Simone Matucci/UPY2018
- British Waters Macro Winner ‘Battle of the Tompots’ © Henley Spiers/UPY2018
- British Waters Compact Winner ‘Scratchy Seal’ © Vicky Paynter/UPY2018
About Underwater Photographer of the Year
Underwater Photographer of the Year is an annual competition, based in the UK, that seeks to celebrate photography beneath the surface of the ocean, lakes and even swimming pools. British photographer Phil Smith was the first Underwater Photographer of the Year, named in 1965. Today’s competition has 11 categories, testing photographers with themes such as Macro, Wide Angle, Behaviour and Wreck photography, as well as three categories for photos taken specifically in British waters. This year’s judges were experienced underwater photographers Peter Rowlands, Martin Edge and Alex Mustard.
To see more of the amazing images from 2018 and to learn more about the Underwater Photographer of the Year competition, visit the website here.
Gear News
Introducing the RF-40 Fins from DYNAMICNORD

With the sporty RF-40 open-heel fin by DYNAMICNORD, you enjoy maximum effectiveness and fun. The innovative design guarantees ease and power – exactly what every diver wants.
Designed and engineered in Germany. Made in Europe.
The RF-40 open-heel fin delivers. Its harder blade will especially delight sporty divers.
The powerful blade of the RF-40 fin and its dynamic design with innovative water channels allow to perform both technical and recreational kicks with maximum propulsion. The power is efficiently transmitted from the foot pocket and sole to the blade for outstanding kick stability and manoeuvrability. With the RF-40 fin, sporty divers are guaranteed to have a blast underwater.
The foot pocket of the open-heel fin is comfortable, and the smart bungee strap enables to make small length adjustments without using any tools. This way, the fin can be used with neoprene boots or with a drysuit. The heel pad has a large finger loop that is easy to grasp even when wearing gloves, making donning and doffing the fin a breeze.
The RF-40 fins are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers in six great colours.
Recommended sales price: £127.00
Sizes: M-XL
Colours: Blue, grey, orange, purple, red, yellow
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Blogs
Master Your GoPro: Join an Underwater Video Workshop in the Cayman Islands with Carlos Villoch

Capture Your Best Dive Moments in April 2025 at Ocean Frontiers
For the first time, Ocean Frontiers presents an exclusive underwater video workshop series, hosted by renowned videographer Carlos Villoch at the award-winning Compass Point Dive Resort, Grand Cayman. Designed for GoPro enthusiasts, this workshop is your chance to master your camera and capture documentary-quality footage beneath the waves.
Why Join?
Expert Training: Carlos Villoch, a BBC-Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year and underwater videography expert, will teach everything from GoPro basics to advanced techniques.
Unparalleled Access: Dive with a dedicated boat, curated dive sites, and expert guidance to help you shoot action-packed, frame-worthy footage.
Custom Gear: Try out Carlos’ unique ‘Glowdive’ accessories, specifically designed for GoPro filming, and take advantage of GoPro features developed with Carlos’ input.
World-Class Diving: Enjoy 15 dives, including reef, wall, wreck, and macro dives, as well as snorkel trips to Stingray City Sandbar.
2025 Workshop Dates
Dive and Learn Itinerary Highlights

Stay at Compass Point Dive Resort

Rates
Dive & Stay Packages (7 nights):
1-bed condo, double diver: US$2,995 per person
2-bed condo, double diver: US$3,395 per person
2-bed condo, quad diver: US$2,570 per person
Add-ons:
Unlimited Nitrox: US$99
Little Cayman Bloody Bay Wall Expedition (3-tank): US$325 (weather permitting)
Diving Only Package:
Workshop & dives: US$1,695 per person
Book Now!
Email: reservations@oceanfrontiers.com
USA Toll-Free: 1-800-348-6096
Cayman Direct: 1-345-640-0000
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