From fighting fish to haunting 鯨 骸骨／概要s and swimming monkeys: The spellbinding 勝利者s of the 2024 Underwater Photographer of the Year 明らかにする／漏らすd

By Laura Sharman

Published: | Updated:

宣伝

調査する new depths and immerse yourself in the beauty beneath the water's surface through this breathtaking collection of images from Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024.

The 勝利者s have been 明らかにする／漏らすd for the 年次の contest, which gives a 壇・綱領・公約 to awe-奮起させるing photography 逮捕（する）d beneath the surface of oceans, lakes, rivers and even swimming pools.

This year, more than 6,500 underwater pictures were entered by photographers around the world, with scenes 逮捕（する）d 含むing two fish fighting with their mouths to a の近くに-up of a grey 鯨's 注目する，もくろむ and a Bryde's 鯨 （海，煙などが）飲み込むing an entire bait ball. '鯨s 支配するd the winning pictures this year,' the 裁判官s commented.

However, the image that truly mesmerised the パネル盤 is Alex Dawson's '鯨 Bones', which shows a diver swimming の中で the enormous 骸骨／概要s of 虐殺（する）d 鯨s off the coast of Greenland.

'鯨 Bones was photographed in the toughest 条件s,' explains 議長，司会を務める of the 裁判官ing パネル盤 Alex 情熱, 'as a breath-持つ／拘留する diver descends below the Greenland ice sheet to 耐える 証言，証人／目撃する to the carcasses. The composition 招待するs us to consider our 衝撃 on the 広大な／多数の／重要な creatures of this 惑星. Since the rise of humans, wild animals have 拒絶する／低下するd by 85 per cent. Today, j ust four per cent of 哺乳動物s are 野性生物, the remaining 96 per cent are humans and our livestock. Our way needs to change to find a balance with nature.'

Scroll 負かす／撃墜する to the very 底（に届く） to lay 注目する，もくろむs on Dawson's prize-winning 発射. And on the way, gaze upon some of the 部類 勝利者s and shortlisted 入ること／参加（者）s.

Rafael Fernandez Caballero is behind the lens of this magnificent shot of a Bryde's whale feasting on sardines in Mexico. The Spanish photographer said he experienced the 'unique spectacle' last year in the open Pacific waters of Magdalena Bay. 'They patrolled the waters, searching for bait balls to get their bellies full of hundreds of kilograms of fish,' he added. 'This photo shows the very moment of attack... simply unforgettable.' It takes the gong in the 'Behaviour' category
< p class="imageCaption">Rafael Fernandez Caballero is behind the レンズ of this magnificent 発射 of a Bryde's 鯨 feasting on sardines in Mexico. The Spanish photographer said he experienced the 'unique spectacle' last year in the open 太平洋の waters of Magdalena Bay. 'They patrolled the waters, searching for bait balls to get their bellies 十分な of hundreds of キログラムs of fish,' he 追加するd. 'This photo shows the very moment of attack... 簡単に unforgettable.' It takes the gong in the 'Behaviour' 部類

This image gives a rare glimpse of a male macaque's swimming skills in the waters of Thailand's Phi Phi Islands. So says photographer Suliman Alatiqi, from Kuwait, who captured the moment while documenting the behaviour of the crab-eating monkeys. 'The macaques have adapted very well to living around the sea and will venture into the water for various reasons including transportation, scavenging, cooling down and playing,' he explained. 'Highly efficient swimmers, they can dive for up to half a minute and can cover short distances faster than most humans.' Judges awarded it third place in the 'Portrait' category and described it as 'an unusual subject that will always stand out'

This image gives a rare glimpse of a male macaque's swimming 技術s in the waters of Thailand's Phi Phi Islands. So says photographer Suliman Alatiqi, from Kuwait, who 逮捕（する）d the moment while 文書ing the behaviour of the crab-eating monkeys. 'The macaques have adapted very 井戸／弁護士席 to living around the sea and will 投機・賭ける into the water for さまざまな 推論する／理由s 含むing transportation, scavenging, 冷静な／正味のing 負かす／撃墜する and playing,' he explained. '高度に efficient swimmers, they can dive for up to half a minute and can cover short distances faster than most humans.' 裁判官s awarded it third place in the 'Portrait' 部類 and 述べるd it as 'an unusual 支配する that will always stand out'

U.S photographer Lisa Stengel used 'all her senses' to capture this moment, which she describes as 'an ambush' of mahi mahi fish during a high-speed hunt. '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 takes first place in the 'Up & Coming' category

U.S photographer Lisa Stengel used 'all her senses' to 逮捕（する） this moment, which she 述べるs as 'an 待ち伏せ／迎撃する' of mahi mahi fish during a high-速度(を上げる） 追跡（する）. 'If you listen there’s an enormous 量 of sound in the ocean,' she explained. 'The 活動／戦闘 was too 急速な／放蕩な to see, so I honed in on the sound of the attacks with my camera to 逮捕（する） this special moment.' It takes first place in the 'Up & Coming' 部類

This image, titled 'Twilight Smile', shows what the judges described as a 'magnificently moody lemon shark' off the island of Grand Bahama in the Bahamas. French photographer Rodolphe Guignard recalled the 'striking face-to-face encounter' with the shark at dusk, when 'several dozen' rose 'from the depths' and surrounded his dive boat. 'The sea was rough, it was almost dark, and the sharks were lively and very curious, not hesitating to come into contact with my [cam era] housing,' he said. Judges awarded it third place in the 'Wide Angle' category and praised the 'atmospheric lighting below the surface', which 'perfectly complements a dramatic sunset', while the 'grin and the eye contact inject a sinister undercurrent to the picture'

This image, 肩書を与えるd 'Twilight Smile', shows what the 裁判官s 述べるd as a 'magnificently moody lemon shark' off the island of Grand Bahama in the Bahamas. French photographer Rodolphe Guignard 解任するd the 'striking 直面する-to-直面する 遭遇（する）' with the shark at dusk, when 'several dozen' rose 'from the depths' and surrounded his dive boat. 'The sea was rough, it was almost dark, and the sharks were lively and very curious, not hesitating to come into 接触する with my [camera] 住宅,' he said. 裁判官s awarded it third place in the 'Wide Angle' 部類 and 賞賛するd the 'atmospheric lighting below the surface', which 'perfectly complements a 劇の sunset', while th e 'grin and the 注目する，もくろむ 接触する 注入する a 悪意のある undercurrent to the picture'

Topping the podium in the 'Wrecks' category, this eerie image by U.S photographer Martin Broen shows tanks 'sunk in 15m [49ft] to 28m [91ft] of water' in the underwater military museum of Aqaba, Jordan. 'In today’s troubled times, it is uplifting to see the apparatus of war put to peaceful use,' judges commented

Topping the podium in the '難破させるs' 部類, this eerie image by U.S photographer ツバメ Broen shows 戦車／タンクs 'sunk in 15m [49ft] to 28m [91ft] of water' in the underwater 軍の museum of Aqaba, Jordan. 'In today’s troubled times, it is uplifting to see the apparatus of war put to 平和的な use,' 裁判官s commented

A huge school of fish dance above the wreck of a ship called Virgo in Brazil in this beautiful image, the work of Brazilian photographer Fabiana Fregones. Awarding it bronze in the 'Wrecks' category, judges highlighted how the fish 'momentarily create the perfect shape of a gib sail, as if ready to power the wreck across the seabed'

A 抱擁する school of fish dance above the 難破させる of a ship called Virgo in Brazil in this beautiful image, the work of Brazilian photographer Fabiana Fregones. Awarding it bronze in the '難破させるs' 部類, 裁判官s 最高潮の場面d how the fish 'momentarily create the perfect 形態／調整 of a gib sail, as if ready to 力／強力にする the 難破させる across the 海底'

Behold the winning shot for British Underwater Photographer of the Year, which depicts a purple sea urchin surrounded by an 'entanglement' of brittle stars. T he image was snared by British photographer Jenny Stock - also winner of the 'British Waters Macro' category - while diving in Loch Leven, Scotland

Behold the winning 発射 for British Underwater Photographer of the Year, which 描写するs a purple sea urchin surrounded by an 'entanglement' of brittle 星／主役にするs. The image was snared by British photographer Jenny 在庫／株 - also 勝利者 of the 'British Waters 大型の' 部類 - while 飛び込み in Loch Leven, Scotland

Even more surprising than encountering a bird underwater is having the bird try to attack your camera while hunting for small fish in the kelp forest. So says U.S photographer Jon Anderson, who experienced just that when he took this shot. 'I planned a dive on a sunny afternoon hoping to catch a cormorant beneath the kelp forest pierced by the afternoon sun,' he said. 'I had numerous cormorants approach me, peck at my head and tank, follow me around, and try to eat my camera. This one paused for a moment, perhaps after seeing its self-reflection in my dome port, allowing me to capture a head-on portrait.' Jon's shot was 'a favourite' among judges, who awarded it second place in the 'Portrait' category

Even more surprising than 遭遇（する）ing a bird underwater is having the bird try to attack your camera while 追跡（する）ing for small fish in the kelp forest. So says U.S photographer Jon Anderson, who experienced just that when he took this 発射. 'I planned a dive on a sunny afternoon hoping to catch a cormorant beneath the kelp forest pierced by the afternoon sun,' he said. 'I had 非常に／多数の cormorants approach me, つつく／ペック at my 長，率いる and 戦車／タンク, follow me around, and try to eat my camera. This one paused for a moment, perhaps after seeing its self-reflection in my ドーム port, 許すing me to 逮捕（する） a 長，率いる-on portrait.' Jon's 発射 was 'a favourite' の中で 裁判官s, who awarded it second place in the 'Portrait' 部類

Winning gold in the 'Portrait' category is Rafael Fernandez Caballero's astonishing close-up of a grey whale's eye in Mexico. The Spanish photographer said the species is 'known for its friendly and curious nature' and that this particular whale had 'a friendly gaze... resembling a human look of curiosity and innocence'. Judges remarked: 'Few people have ever gazed into the eye of a whale, but through this remarkable image many will be able to catch a glimpse of this intelligent soul'

Winning gold in the 'Portrait' 部類 is Rafael Fernandez Caballero's astonishing の近くに-up of a grey 鯨's 注目する，もくろむ in Mexico. The Spanish photographer said the 種類 is 'known for its friendly and curious nature' and that this particular 鯨 had 'a friendly gaze... 似ているing a human look of curiosity and innocence'. 裁判官s 発言／述べるd: 'Few people have ever gazed into the 注目する，もくろむ of a 鯨, but through this remarkable image many will be able to catch a glimpse of this intelligent soul'

Portuguese photographer Nuno Sa snared this poignant picture of beachgoers trying to save a stranded sperm whale in Portugal. He was named 'Save Our Seas Foundation Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year 2024' for the powerful image, titled 'Saving Goliath'

Portuguese photographer Nuno Sa snared this poignant picture of beachgoers trying to save a 立ち往生させるd sperm 鯨 in Portugal. He was 指名するd 'Save Our Seas 創立／基礎 海洋 自然保護 Photographer of the Year 2024' for the powerful image, 肩書を与えるd 'Saving Goliath'

Runner-up in the 'Behaviour' category, this other-worldly image shows two female Zoarchias major eelpouts fighting with their mouths. This happens 'during the breeding season, in order to fight for a suitable spawning nest', explains Chinese photographer JingGong Zhang, who captured the image in Oda, Japan. Judge Alex Mustard said the image 'epitomises the decisive moment and a hormone-fuelled dispute is settled'. He added: 'Like with many arguments between people, this one will likely be settled in favour of the individual with the biggest mouth'

走者-up in the 'Behaviour' 部類, this other-worldly image shows two 女性（の） Zoarchias major eelpouts fighting with their mouths. This happens 'during the 産む／飼育するing season, ーするために fight for a suitable spawning nest', explains Chinese photographer JingGong Zhang, who 逮捕（する）d the image in Oda, Japan. 裁判官 Alex 情熱 said the image 'epitomises the 決定的な moment and a hormone-fuelled 論争 is settled'. He 追加するd: 'Like with many arguments between people, this one will likely be settled in favour of the individual with the biggest mouth'

Runner up in the 'Wrecks' category is this ghostly picture - titled 'Illuminating the Past' - of the Kyle Spangler shipwreck. The wooden schooner sank in 1860 and sits in 60m (196ft) of cold water in Lake Huron - one of the five Great Lakes of North America. U.S photographer Becky Schott, who is behind the lens, said it's an image she has been 'trying to perfect for almost six years'

走者 up in the '難破させるs' 部類 is this ghostly picture - 肩書を与えるd 'Illuminating the Past' - of the Kyle Spangler shipwreck. The 木造の schooner sank in 1860 and sits in 60m (196ft) of 冷淡な water in Lake Huron - one of the five 広大な／多数の／重要な Lakes of North America. U.S photographer Becky Schott, who is behind the レンズ, said it's an image she has been 'trying to perfect for almost six years'

Drum roll... behold this year's 'Underwater Photog rapher of the Year' - Alex Dawson for his haunting image of a whale skeleton off the shores of Tasiilaq, Greenland. Describing the context of his photograph, the Swedish photographer said: 'In eastern Greenland the local hunters bring their catch and share it among each other. From a stable population of over 100,000 minke whales in the North Atlantic, the hunters of Tasiilaq typically take less than a dozen. The whale is pulled up on the beach during high tide and many families gather to cut the skin, blubber and the meat off at low tide. Almost all the whale is consumed, however the skeleton is pulled back into the sea by the next high tide and the remains can be found in shallow waters where various marine invertebrates and fish pick the bones clean.' Judges described it as 'a very arresting image right from the start', adding that the diver's suit and torch give it 'a visiting alien' feeling

派手に宣伝する roll... behold this year's 'Underwater Photographer of the Year' - Alex Dawson for his haunting image of a 鯨 骸骨／概要 off the shores of Tasiilaq, Greenland. 述べるing the 状況 of his photograph, the Swedish photographer said: 'In eastern Greenland the 地元の hunters bring their catch and 株 it の中で each other. From a stable 全住民 of over 100,000 minke 鯨s in the North 大西洋, the hunters of Tasiilaq typically take いっそう少なく than a dozen. The 鯨 is pulled up on the beach during high tide and many families gather to 削減（する） the 肌, blubber and the meat off at low tide. Almost all the 鯨 is 消費するd, however the 骸骨／概要 is pulled 支援する into the sea by the next high tide and the remains can be 設立する in shallow waters where さまざまな 海洋 invertebrates and fish 選ぶ the bones clean.' 裁判官s 述べるd it as 'a very 逮捕（する）ing image 権利 from the start', 追加するing that the diver's 控訴 and たいまつ give it 'a visiting 外国人' feeling

Sweden