First Place
Second Place
Third Place
Honorable MentionTop Photographers
We are dedicated to producing the highest quality competition series and supporting the global community of amateur and professional underwater photographers and videographers. This page showcases the top 25 photographers based on cumulative score along with their winning images and which competitions they placed in. 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.
Stephen Holinski Canada
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (17)
3.
Enrico Somogyi Germany
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (14)
4.
Magnus Lundgren Sweden
Magnus is a professional photographer, writer and tour leader involved in several multi-year visual conservation projects such as: Wild Wonders of Papua, Wild Wonders of Europe and Wild Wonders of China. "My work with the camera has evolved into nature conservation stories. Inspiration is key to creativity, and the sea always bring me pure inspiration." Magnus images are published and awarded world wide since more three decades. He is one of a few photographers selected for "Sony Wildlife Explorer" team using images and film to create nature conservation stories. Instagram: magnuslundgrenphotography
Magnus is a professional photographer, writer and tour leader involved in several multi-year visual conservation projects such as: Wild Wonders of Papua, Wild Wonders of Europe and Wild Wonders of China. "My work with the camera has evolved into nature conservation stories. Inspiration is key to creativity, and the sea always bring me pure inspiration." Magnus images are published and awarded world wide since more three decades. He is one of a few photographers selected for "Sony Wildlife Explorer" team using images and film to create nature conservation stories. Instagram: magnuslundgrenphotography
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (10)
5.
Fabien Michenet France
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (9)
6.
Greg Lecoeur France
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (10)
7.
Eduardo Acevedo Spain
I was born in 1972,Tenerife(Canary Island) Spain. I have been in contact with the sea all my life, first in apnea and after scuba diving since 1990.Entered to the world of underwater photography in 1998.With the analogic cameras I used Nikon but with the change to digital I prefered Canon/Seacam.I\\\'ve dived all over the world, Indonesia, Malaysia, Polynesia, Africa,Caribean ....... but I always stay with my Canary Islands for its diversity and clarity of the water.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (9)
8.
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 (11)
9.
Martin Broen United States
Martin Broen is full time Design and Innovation expert with the passion of capturing the unique and visceral experiences that come from interacting with nature. Martin started diving almost 30 years ago with Right Whales in Patagonia, Argentina, where he is originally from. After many years in Italy, he moved to New York in 2013 and developed both his technical diving and photography skills as a way to reach, capture and share those natural interactions. Hoping for other people to fall in love with nature as he did and help protect this amazing planet.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (7)
10.
Yung-Sen Wu Taiwan
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (9)
11.
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)
12.
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 Fort Lauderdale, FL, Chris (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 Fort Lauderdale, FL, Chris (simply called "Gug" by friends) runs his fine art photography gallery and freelances with various clients and publications worldwide.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (8)
13.
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 (7)
14.
Gianni Pecchiar Italy
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (8)
15.
Pedro Carrillo Spain
Born in the Canary Islands (Spain) in 1974, began scuba diving in 1993 and shortly afterwards I submerged and Oly5050. Since then, and after moving to a Nikon/Seacam outfit, I had devoted all my spare time to UW photography, travelling to Hawaii, Red Sea, Andaman, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Maldives, Indonesia... Despite I am living in Frankfurt, I keep on diving on the Canary Islands as often as I can, while also competing regularly in spanish shoot-outs and online competitions, where I have done reasonably well during the last two years (participation in CMAS Spanish Championship representing Madrid after winning the regional contest, second at Beneath the Sea 2010, \"Fish of the Year\" at Epson Red Sea 09, second in WA at Ocean Art 2010, etc)
Born in the Canary Islands (Spain) in 1974, began scuba diving in 1993 and shortly afterwards I submerged and Oly5050. Since then, and after moving to a Nikon/Seacam outfit, I had devoted all my spare time to UW photography, travelling to Hawaii, Red Sea, Andaman, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Maldives, Indonesia... Despite I am living in Frankfurt, I keep on diving on the Canary Islands as often as I can, while also competing regularly in spanish shoot-outs and online competitions, where I have done reasonably well during the last two years (participation in CMAS Spanish Championship representing Madrid after winning the regional contest, second at Beneath the Sea 2010, \"Fish of the Year\" at Epson Red Sea 09, second in WA at Ocean Art 2010, etc)
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (8)
16.
Grant Thomas
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (6)
17.
Henley Spiers
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (6)
18.
Marcus Commodore Canada
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (5)
19.
Shawn Heinrichs United States
Shawn Heinrichs, Founder & Executive Producer, Blue Sphere Media Shawn is a passionate scuba diver, cinematographer, and marine conservationist, tirelessly committed to protecting the environment he cherishes. As an independent filmmaker and founder of Blue Sphere Media, a production company specializing in underwater and adventure films, he has a unique opportunity to influence our collective mind set and globally fuel the blue movement. His award-winning work has been featured in broadcast, promotional and conservation productions around the world. In addition, he is a published conservation photojournalist. Shawn has a special affinity for pelagics including sharks, rays and marine mammals. Much of his work focuses on these threatened creatures, as a filmmaker and a conservationist. Two key areas of his focus include ending shark finning and establishing marine protected areas. Shawn\\\\\\\'s fieldwork places him at the heart of endangered species trade, capturing rarely seen footage of these destructive networks. In furtherance of his passion, Shawn is an international advisory board member of WildAid, an organization focused on ending trade in endangered and threatened species, and Board member of Shark Savers, a grassroots organization committed to saving sharks through awareness and education. Shawn also serves as a conservation and video moderator for www.wetpixel.com, the internets leading underwater photo/video forum.
Shawn Heinrichs, Founder & Executive Producer, Blue Sphere Media Shawn is a passionate scuba diver, cinematographer, and marine conservationist, tirelessly committed to protecting the environment he cherishes. As an independent filmmaker and founder of Blue Sphere Media, a production company specializing in underwater and adventure films, he has a unique opportunity to influence our collective mind set and globally fuel the blue movement. His award-winning work has been featured in broadcast, promotional and conservation productions around the world. In addition, he is a published conservation photojournalist. Shawn has a special affinity for pelagics including sharks, rays and marine mammals. Much of his work focuses on these threatened creatures, as a filmmaker and a conservationist. Two key areas of his focus include ending shark finning and establishing marine protected areas. Shawn\\\\\\\'s fieldwork places him at the heart of endangered species trade, capturing rarely seen footage of these destructive networks. In furtherance of his passion, Shawn is an international advisory board member of WildAid, an organization focused on ending trade in endangered and threatened species, and Board member of Shark Savers, a grassroots organization committed to saving sharks through awareness and education. Shawn also serves as a conservation and video moderator for www.wetpixel.com, the internets leading underwater photo/video forum.
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (6)
20.
Anders Salesjö Sweden
The underwater world is both Anders passion and career. He is a professional underwater photographer and marine biologist with an enormous interest in the creatures of the sea. When he is not in the water taking pictures he gives inspiring lectures about marine fauna. Anders loves to share his passion for the ocean with others and teaches marine biology at high school as well as university level. He also does a lot of public presentations with his own photographs. More of Anders\'s photography can be viewed at http://www.salesjo.com
The underwater world is both Anders passion and career. He is a professional underwater photographer and marine biologist with an enormous interest in the creatures of the sea. When he is not in the water taking pictures he gives inspiring lectures about marine fauna. Anders loves to share his passion for the ocean with others and teaches marine biology at high school as well as university level. He also does a lot of public presentations with his own photographs. More of Anders\'s photography can be viewed at http://www.salesjo.com
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (6)
21.
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 (6)
22.
David Salvatori Italy
David Salvatori started underwater photography in 2008. His main interest today is around nature photography and conservation issues, to which he devotes his travels around the world. As an amateur, he spends all of his time off planning and realising photographic expeditions to raise awareness on some of the most endangered species of the planet. He also loves writing articles on his trips, collaborating with well-known underwater magazines around the world. During these first 10 years of underwater activity, he has achieved many recognitions and awards in some of the most important international underwater photography and nature photography competitions. In 2015 he has published his first photographic book, “Reflections from the Past”, a physical and personal journey to tell a story about his life experience with water. David’s website: www.ilmaresonoio.com
David Salvatori started underwater photography in 2008. His main interest today is around nature photography and conservation issues, to which he devotes his travels around the world. As an amateur, he spends all of his time off planning and realising photographic expeditions to raise awareness on some of the most endangered species of the planet. He also loves writing articles on his trips, collaborating with well-known underwater magazines around the world. During these first 10 years of underwater activity, he has achieved many recognitions and awards in some of the most important international underwater photography and nature photography competitions. In 2015 he has published his first photographic book, “Reflections from the Past”, a physical and personal journey to tell a story about his life experience with water. David’s website: www.ilmaresonoio.com
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (7)
23.
Shane Gross Canada
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (5)
24.
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)
25.
Bert Willaert Belgium
WINNING PHOTOGRAPHS (3)
The following photographers have placed in one or more competitions. The list is alphabetical.
