PROUDLY PRESENTED BY:
First Place
Second Place
Third Place
Honorable MentionUnderwater Photographers
We are dedicated to producing the highest quality competition series and supporting the global community of amateur and professional underwatewr photographers and videographers. This page will showcase the top 10 photographers based on cumulative score along with their winning images and which competitions they placed in. Our video rankings are coming soon. You can keep track of who's best and how the rankings change year to year.
1.
Keri Wilk (Canada)
Although only 26 years old, Keri has already accumulated close to 16 years of underwater photography experience. Educated as a mechanical engineer, he currently designs and develops products for ReefNet and is part of DivePhotoGuide.com's editorial team. Over the years, his work has appeared in countless magazines, scientific journals, field guides, books, and museums.
Although only 26 years old, Keri has already accumulated close to 16 years of underwater photography experience. Educated as a mechanical engineer, he currently designs and develops products for ReefNet and is part of DivePhotoGuide.com's editorial team. Over the years, his work has appeared in countless magazines, scientific journals, field guides, books, and museums.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (19)
2.
Noam Kortler (Israel)
Noam moved to Eilat in the red sea 13 years ago to work as a diving instructor. He opened his own dive center in 2004 and named it "Nemo Divers". Noam started taking photos underwater in 1999 for the first time with Nikonos V with no knowledge of photography what so ever and slowly taught himself "how to do it right". In 2006, he obtained his first Digital camera (Nikon D2X) and Housing (Seacam). Since then he started to take photography more seriously and wine competitions around the world. Today, he still teaches diving at Nemo Divers and teaching underwater photography for beginners and professionals .
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (9)
3.
Magnus Lundgren (Sweden)
Magnus Lundgren, swedish wildlife photographer, believes that inspiration is the key. - Mother nature always brings some sort of rugged unsentimental truth to me. She inspires and makes me just plain happy. Nature is a bit like a great football game, unrehearsed, exciting and does not try to be anything else than what it is. Magnus work is published world wide and he is personally most proud to be awarded in WPY in London two years in a row. His images been published within the concept Visions of Earth on two different occasions which is a double spread in National Geographic Magazine. Magnus was featured in Wetpixel Quarterly #5. Currently he is proud to be involved in the biggest photographic intiative ever called Wild Wonders of Europe, www.wild-wonders.com, which is a joint effort of 69 wildlife photographers. To get in contact with Magnus visit www.aquagraphics.se
Magnus Lundgren, swedish wildlife photographer, believes that inspiration is the key. - Mother nature always brings some sort of rugged unsentimental truth to me. She inspires and makes me just plain happy. Nature is a bit like a great football game, unrehearsed, exciting and does not try to be anything else than what it is. Magnus work is published world wide and he is personally most proud to be awarded in WPY in London two years in a row. His images been published within the concept Visions of Earth on two different occasions which is a double spread in National Geographic Magazine. Magnus was featured in Wetpixel Quarterly #5. Currently he is proud to be involved in the biggest photographic intiative ever called Wild Wonders of Europe, www.wild-wonders.com, which is a joint effort of 69 wildlife photographers. To get in contact with Magnus visit www.aquagraphics.se
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (7)
4.
Chris Gug (United States)
With a underwater photographic career that has taken him to over 40 countries, the lion's share of his images come from the Turks & Caicos Islands and from Papua New Guinea, where he lived for 7 and 2 years, respectively. Now based in Miami, Christopher Guglielmo (simply called "Gug" by friends) runs his fine art photography gallery and freelances with various clients and publications worldwide.
With a underwater photographic career that has taken him to over 40 countries, the lion's share of his images come from the Turks & Caicos Islands and from Papua New Guinea, where he lived for 7 and 2 years, respectively. Now based in Miami, Christopher Guglielmo (simply called "Gug" by friends) runs his fine art photography gallery and freelances with various clients and publications worldwide.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (8)
5.
Borut Furlan (Slovenia)
Borut Furlan was born in 1959 in Postojna, Slovenia, and is now living in Ljubljana. He has a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in chemistry and is working in a pharmaceutical industry. Borut started diving in 1977 and is a member of the oldest diving club in Slovenia, DRM Ljubljana, which was founded in 1952. He entered the world of underwater photography in 1979, building his own underwater housing for his first camera and later he built three more. Since 1998 he uses state of the art Seacam underwater camera housings. Since 1980 he uses exclusively Nikon photographic equipment, from 2006 digital Nikon D2x.
Borut Furlan was born in 1959 in Postojna, Slovenia, and is now living in Ljubljana. He has a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in chemistry and is working in a pharmaceutical industry. Borut started diving in 1977 and is a member of the oldest diving club in Slovenia, DRM Ljubljana, which was founded in 1952. He entered the world of underwater photography in 1979, building his own underwater housing for his first camera and later he built three more. Since 1998 he uses state of the art Seacam underwater camera housings. Since 1980 he uses exclusively Nikon photographic equipment, from 2006 digital Nikon D2x.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (5)
6.
Dale Sanders ()
Dale Sanders is a professional photographer based on Vancouver Island in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He has been diving and photographing many of the worlds most spectacular diving locations for over thirty years, but still finds some of the very best diving to be at home in the waters of British Columbia. He has published a book on the area entitled "The Emerald Sea", and has recently returned from six weeks of diving and photographing beneath the ice in Canada's arctic, working with an IMAX film crew. Dale shoots Canon EOS DSLR cameras in AQUATICA housings, with Ikelite Strobes and Nocturnal Lights focusing lights.
Dale Sanders is a professional photographer based on Vancouver Island in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He has been diving and photographing many of the worlds most spectacular diving locations for over thirty years, but still finds some of the very best diving to be at home in the waters of British Columbia. He has published a book on the area entitled "The Emerald Sea", and has recently returned from six weeks of diving and photographing beneath the ice in Canada's arctic, working with an IMAX film crew. Dale shoots Canon EOS DSLR cameras in AQUATICA housings, with Ikelite Strobes and Nocturnal Lights focusing lights.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (4)
7.
Aaron Wong (Singapore)
For over a decade, commercial photographer Aaron Wong (www.aaronsphotocraft.com) has shot for fashion magazines, celebrity profiles, and advertising campaigns all over the world with clients like Levi’s and Elle, and with celebrities like Gong Li and Mandy Moore.
No stranger to water, the native Singaporean has been going out to sea since he could remember. But it wasn’t until 2004 that he took the plunge into the world of underwater photography. Since that momentous date, he’s garnered several international underwater photography awards including BBC wildlife photographer, Our World Underwater, and Through the Lens. In 2006 Aaron merged his two greatest passions by bringing fashion photography underwater in his ongoing “WATER.COLORS” project. Images from WATER.COLORS have won awards, fronted ad campaigns, and featured prominently in fashion magazines. Recently, Aaron was chosen by Sony to produce a series of images based on his WATER.COLORS project for Sony’s latest line of DSLR cameras. Aaron now divides his time between studio work and the exploration of Asia’s tropical waters, while dreaming of crazier ideas to shoot.
For over a decade, commercial photographer Aaron Wong (www.aaronsphotocraft.com) has shot for fashion magazines, celebrity profiles, and advertising campaigns all over the world with clients like Levi’s and Elle, and with celebrities like Gong Li and Mandy Moore.
No stranger to water, the native Singaporean has been going out to sea since he could remember. But it wasn’t until 2004 that he took the plunge into the world of underwater photography. Since that momentous date, he’s garnered several international underwater photography awards including BBC wildlife photographer, Our World Underwater, and Through the Lens. In 2006 Aaron merged his two greatest passions by bringing fashion photography underwater in his ongoing “WATER.COLORS” project. Images from WATER.COLORS have won awards, fronted ad campaigns, and featured prominently in fashion magazines. Recently, Aaron was chosen by Sony to produce a series of images based on his WATER.COLORS project for Sony’s latest line of DSLR cameras. Aaron now divides his time between studio work and the exploration of Asia’s tropical waters, while dreaming of crazier ideas to shoot.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (5)
8.
Alessio Viora (Italy)
Born in 1965 on Lake Orta in Italy I have always been attracted by water and I learned to swin and dive long before dive permit became obligatory. Since 1998 with Nikonos I started uw photography and since 2000 I have won more than 100 prizes around the globe. My favourite dives are in freshwater rivers and lakes but I have been diving a lot in sea water too in all seas and oceans and still like it a lot !
Born in 1965 on Lake Orta in Italy I have always been attracted by water and I learned to swin and dive long before dive permit became obligatory. Since 1998 with Nikonos I started uw photography and since 2000 I have won more than 100 prizes around the globe. My favourite dives are in freshwater rivers and lakes but I have been diving a lot in sea water too in all seas and oceans and still like it a lot !
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (7)
9.
Edvin Eng (Malaysia)
Edvin is a Dive Instructor and was certified as an Open Water Diver in 2002. He was instantly attracted with the beauty of the underwater world & decided to pursue this passion intensively. He decided to pick up underwater photography and have been doing it since 2004. Apart from Underwater Photography, he has a strong passion for exploring unknown dive sites. He now work & teaches at Ocean Xplorer in Malaysia and constantly lead dive trips around the South East Asia Region. Edvin hopes that through his work, he can educate the public and create a greater awareness for our Ocean & Reefs.
Edvin is a Dive Instructor and was certified as an Open Water Diver in 2002. He was instantly attracted with the beauty of the underwater world & decided to pursue this passion intensively. He decided to pick up underwater photography and have been doing it since 2004. Apart from Underwater Photography, he has a strong passion for exploring unknown dive sites. He now work & teaches at Ocean Xplorer in Malaysia and constantly lead dive trips around the South East Asia Region. Edvin hopes that through his work, he can educate the public and create a greater awareness for our Ocean & Reefs.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (4)
10.
David Barrio (Spain)
I was born in Santander, (north coast of Spain), 35 years ago where I studied civil engineering. I didn´t take up diving until I moved to work to the Canary Islands seven years ago, where I took my OWD with four friends. I don´t remember why I bought my first camera in 2004 but I can surely remember I didn´t know anything about underwater photography (or any photography at all), so I am not the kind of photographer that has been diving and shooting forever but, in the end, I got hooked with UWP and started to spend all of my weekends and holidays underwater all over the world. In these years we (my girlfriend and model) have been published in various magazines, covers, entered many contests and shootouts being lucky enough to win some of them such as the El Hierro UWP competition, Mogan Photo shootout, NCUPS Best of show Bob Commer award etc... www.davidbarrio.com
I was born in Santander, (north coast of Spain), 35 years ago where I studied civil engineering. I didn´t take up diving until I moved to work to the Canary Islands seven years ago, where I took my OWD with four friends. I don´t remember why I bought my first camera in 2004 but I can surely remember I didn´t know anything about underwater photography (or any photography at all), so I am not the kind of photographer that has been diving and shooting forever but, in the end, I got hooked with UWP and started to spend all of my weekends and holidays underwater all over the world. In these years we (my girlfriend and model) have been published in various magazines, covers, entered many contests and shootouts being lucky enough to win some of them such as the El Hierro UWP competition, Mogan Photo shootout, NCUPS Best of show Bob Commer award etc... www.davidbarrio.com
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (6)
11.
Jose Alejandro Alvarez (Dominican Republic)
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (6)
12.
Indra Swari Wonowidjojo (Indonesia)
A keen diver for over a decade and it was not until 2006 that she took up underwater photography. Magazines, books and friends are her source of knowledge on photography. Not once she imagined that she would go this far with it. Nowadays, her camera will follow her on every diving trips. To capture the beauty of the underworld is always a challenge.
A keen diver for over a decade and it was not until 2006 that she took up underwater photography. Magazines, books and friends are her source of knowledge on photography. Not once she imagined that she would go this far with it. Nowadays, her camera will follow her on every diving trips. To capture the beauty of the underworld is always a challenge.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (6)
13.
Stephen Holinski (Canada)
I began diving in 2007 while living in Sydney, Australia. Since then I have had the privilege of diving and photographing some amazing places. Currently I am finishing school in Toronto, Ontario and will be moving to Vancouver, Canada the following year. Always looking forward to the next dive - warm or cold - and the next chance to photograph the incredible underwater world.
I began diving in 2007 while living in Sydney, Australia. Since then I have had the privilege of diving and photographing some amazing places. Currently I am finishing school in Toronto, Ontario and will be moving to Vancouver, Canada the following year. Always looking forward to the next dive - warm or cold - and the next chance to photograph the incredible underwater world.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (5)
14.
Bartosz Strozynski (Poland)
polish origin, based in Poznan, Scuba diver, underwater photographer, composer, songs writer, songs performer, sculptor
polish origin, based in Poznan, Scuba diver, underwater photographer, composer, songs writer, songs performer, sculptor
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (5)
15.
Yeang Chng ()
Yeang Ch'ng is a MD-PhD student at Harvard who recently received his PhD in Neuroscience and is completing his final year of medical school. Aside from photography, he is interested in how the brain works and hopes that a future career in neuroradiology may combine all his interests.
Yeang Ch'ng is a MD-PhD student at Harvard who recently received his PhD in Neuroscience and is completing his final year of medical school. Aside from photography, he is interested in how the brain works and hopes that a future career in neuroradiology may combine all his interests.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (4)
16.
Michael McEvoy (Indonesia)
Michael has had a life-long affinity with the marine environment having spent the vast majority of his life in and around the ocean while growing up throughout Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. Some of his first childhood memories are of playing by the sea and having learned to swim as a toddler meant he began to explore the marine environment and its remarkable inhabitants from an early age. With a deep passion for our oceans, Michael’s philosophy behind his photography has always been about conservation and seeking to raise awareness about the significance of the marine environment. In doing so, Michael hopes to present our oceans and its inhabitants in a way that serves as a call for action to preserve our fragile marine ecosystems.
Michael has had a life-long affinity with the marine environment having spent the vast majority of his life in and around the ocean while growing up throughout Australia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. Some of his first childhood memories are of playing by the sea and having learned to swim as a toddler meant he began to explore the marine environment and its remarkable inhabitants from an early age. With a deep passion for our oceans, Michael’s philosophy behind his photography has always been about conservation and seeking to raise awareness about the significance of the marine environment. In doing so, Michael hopes to present our oceans and its inhabitants in a way that serves as a call for action to preserve our fragile marine ecosystems.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (6)
17.
Marina Kochetova (Russian Federation)
Marina took great interest in diving three years ago. At once, she started to take photos by using a compact digital camera. A year later, she already employed a Canon 350D mirror camera and then, -- a Canon 5D. She mastered the art of photography on her own. Photography for her is a constant search and the moment when she triggers the camera is a kind of magic.
Marina took great interest in diving three years ago. At once, she started to take photos by using a compact digital camera. A year later, she already employed a Canon 350D mirror camera and then, -- a Canon 5D. She mastered the art of photography on her own. Photography for her is a constant search and the moment when she triggers the camera is a kind of magic.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (3)
18.
Steven Kovacs (United States)
Steven Kovacs bought his first underwater camera system in 2001 and moved shortly thereafter to Florida where he presently resides. He enjoys specializing in underwater behavior and currently shoots with a nikon D200 setup. He also has a coffee table book out, 'Magic Beneath the Seas', which was published in April 2008.
Steven Kovacs bought his first underwater camera system in 2001 and moved shortly thereafter to Florida where he presently resides. He enjoys specializing in underwater behavior and currently shoots with a nikon D200 setup. He also has a coffee table book out, 'Magic Beneath the Seas', which was published in April 2008.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (8)
19.
Maria Rivarola (Indonesia)
Maria is an avid scuba diver and underwater photographer who looks at her sport as much more than an adventure. Through the combination of both activities she has developed a greater level of appreciation for the marine environment and understanding of the destruction that is taking place to our marine ecosystems. As Maria notes on her website, “I hope that my images not only do justice to the beauty of life in our wonderful oceans, but awaken compassion and inspire a greater determination to champion the preservation and respect for the very fragile marine ecosystems for which only we have the power to protect”.
Maria is an avid scuba diver and underwater photographer who looks at her sport as much more than an adventure. Through the combination of both activities she has developed a greater level of appreciation for the marine environment and understanding of the destruction that is taking place to our marine ecosystems. As Maria notes on her website, “I hope that my images not only do justice to the beauty of life in our wonderful oceans, but awaken compassion and inspire a greater determination to champion the preservation and respect for the very fragile marine ecosystems for which only we have the power to protect”.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (4)
20.
Cor Bosman ()
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (4)
21.
Uwe Schmolke (Germany)
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (3)
22.
Justin Gilligan (Australia)
Justin Gilligan is a marine biologist with an honours degree and a passionate interest in nature and underwater photography. Justin's work has been published around the world inside the pages and on the cover of numerous dive, travel and nature magazines.
Justin Gilligan is a marine biologist with an honours degree and a passionate interest in nature and underwater photography. Justin's work has been published around the world inside the pages and on the cover of numerous dive, travel and nature magazines.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (2)
23.
ADRIANO MORETTIN (Italy)
Underwater photography is my life together my family. I dedicate all my spare time, my passion, my commitments and quite a lot of money, but the gratification I had repaid me in full ...and more. I love underwater photography because it gave me the change to discover and appreciate the incredible, fabulous world hidden under the sea. I\'m 55 years old and I have been photographing for the last 15 years in over thousand dives. I have won many prestigious photographic competitions all over the world and two Italian championships in one category of underwater photography.
Underwater photography is my life together my family. I dedicate all my spare time, my passion, my commitments and quite a lot of money, but the gratification I had repaid me in full ...and more. I love underwater photography because it gave me the change to discover and appreciate the incredible, fabulous world hidden under the sea. I\'m 55 years old and I have been photographing for the last 15 years in over thousand dives. I have won many prestigious photographic competitions all over the world and two Italian championships in one category of underwater photography.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (3)
24.
Marcus Commodore (Thailand)
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (2)
25.
Shen Collazo (United States)
Since I first dove in my mother's belly, diving for me has been an obsession. I was born in 1966, Guines, Havana, Cuba where being a diver was not a choice to dream about, but with persistence and a very hard head,I did it. I became a diver instructor at age 25 always wanting to take pictures underwater. In 1999 I came to America to make my dream come true. I work at Reefphoto&video as a technician and take pictures on the weekends. There's nothing compare with what I feel being underwater holding my rig waiting for the right moment to press the shutter release. My favorite dive is somewhere in Bahamas aboard the Shear Water photographing great hammer heads and tigers. My most frequented dive site is under the Blue Heron Bridge in West Palm Beach, Fl.
Since I first dove in my mother's belly, diving for me has been an obsession. I was born in 1966, Guines, Havana, Cuba where being a diver was not a choice to dream about, but with persistence and a very hard head,I did it. I became a diver instructor at age 25 always wanting to take pictures underwater. In 1999 I came to America to make my dream come true. I work at Reefphoto&video as a technician and take pictures on the weekends. There's nothing compare with what I feel being underwater holding my rig waiting for the right moment to press the shutter release. My favorite dive is somewhere in Bahamas aboard the Shear Water photographing great hammer heads and tigers. My most frequented dive site is under the Blue Heron Bridge in West Palm Beach, Fl.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (2)
The following photographers have placed in one or more competitions. The list is alphabetical.
