A pair of adorable Southern elephant seal pups has been named the Best Underwater Photograph of the Year. The playful duo, captured by Matty Smith, were photographed shortly after being abandoned ashore by their mother. Once the pups are weaned, elephant seal mothers typically leave them. Smith skillfully snapped the moment these “Rockpool Rookies” embarked on their first swimming lessons, navigating over each other as they learned to swim.
The award-winning image was created using a custom dome built by Smith to achieve a unique under-over perspective, skillfully balancing the light on the pups’ fur against the backdrop of the setting sun. The photo stood out among nearly 8,000 entries, securing the top prize. Additionally, the judges recognized several other outstanding images in various categories.
One notable photo, “Lunging Leopard” by Sam Blount, showcased the jaws of a leopard seal, a prominent predator in Antarctica, moving directly towards the photographer. Blount vividly remembered the exhilarating moment when the massive mouth filled with sharp teeth approached him. Contest judge Tobias Friedrich praised the composition and lighting of the image, describing it as one of the best leopard seal shots he had seen.
The gallery below features all the category winners, offering a glimpse of the diverse and captivating underwater world. Share your favorite image from the selection in the comments section to join the conversation.
Various photographers shared their unique encounters and experiences, including close interactions with marine life such as freshwater crayfish, sperm whales, octopuses, commensal shrimp, and more. Each story captures the essence of the underwater realm and the awe-inspiring moments shared between humans and marine creatures.
