PHOTO : RENEE CAPOZZOLA
Underwater
Photographer of the Year
14
2022
The search is on for the world ’ s best underwater photographs . UPY - the Underwater Photographer of the Year 2022 contest - opened for entries back in November , and closes on 4th January 2022 . The contest is widely regarded as the world ’ s leading underwater photography competition , attracting thousands of entries , with the winners showcased around the world in the mainstream media . The previous edition attracted entries from over 500 photographers and was won by Renee Capozzola from the USA . Chair of the judges , Alex Mustard said : “ The previous edition of UPY created our biggest splash yet . During the pandemic the stunning photos proved popular as an escape into the underwater world . Last year also saw our first female overall winner , with Renee taking the top spot in the entire competition with Shark Skylight . We ’ re already excited about what UPY 2022 will bring . For many of the photographers , the last couple of years have brought more local diving , and it is really turning up very fresh underwater imagery . So we ’ re continuing with our new My Backyard
Award to celebrate images taken close to home , wherever that may be for you . Last year it was won by Mark Kirkland from the centre of Glasgow with While You Sleep .”
Still time to enter
PHOTO : KIRSTY ANDREWS
UPY is an annual competition that celebrates photography beneath the surface of the ocean , lakes , rivers and even swimming pools . British photographer , Phil Smith was the first underwater Photographer of the Year , named in 1965 . Today the competition is truly international and has 13 categories , testing photographers with themes such as Macro , Wide Angle ,
Behaviour , Wreck and Conservation photography , as well as four categories for photos taken specifically in British waters . UPY already has more than 30 prizes lined up for this year ’ s contest , with more set to be confirmed in the coming weeks . The contest incorporates a bespoke results system , providing feedback to the photographers on how far through the contest every single image has progressed , so every entrant will benefit from taking part . The experienced judging panel remains underwater photographers Peter Rowlands , Martin Edge and Alex Mustard . underwaterphotographeroftheyear . com �