Oceanographic Magazine has just unveiled the winning and shortlisted images in its annual Ocean Photographer of the Year awards. The contest had over 3,000 images submitted into six categories, but it was Canadian photographer Nadia Aly who won this year's grand title, being named Ocean Photographer of the Year for her underwater shot of mobula rays.
Awards judge (and prolific conservationist and underwater photographer) Cristina Mittermeier found Nadia's photograph to be "perfectly exposed, compellingly dramatic and deeply intriguing. I know from experience that this image was not easy to create. Nadia Aly’s acknowledgement as the Ocean Photographer of the Year is a testament not only to the sheer power and uniqueness of her imagery, but to her journey as a photographer as well."
Second place: Sacha Specker
Third place: Magnus Lundborg
Other shortlisted entries
There was a stunning raft of entries into the competition this year, in the six categories of Ocean Conservation Photographer of the Year, Ocean Exploration Photographer of the Year, Ocean Adventure Photographer of the Year, Young Ocean Photographer of the Year, The Community Choice Award and The Collective Portfolio Award.
The Ocean Photography Awards, in partnership with SeaLegacy and supported by Princess Yachts, is a celebration of our blue planet and a platform to shine a light on the threats facing the ocean.
All the winners and commended images, can be viewed here.
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