World's best ocean photographers celebrated

8 October 2022

The winners of the annual Ocean Photographer of the Year awards have just been announced with French photographer Ben Thouard taking out top honours, being named 2022 Ocean Photographer of the Year. His underwater image of a surfer being held below the surface of one of the heaviest waves in the world was a firm favourite with judges. The image was captured in Tahiti, near Teahupo'o, famous for its pillow break, and included on Transworld Surf's list of the 'Top 10 Deadliest Waves'. It is also commonly referred to as the "heaviest wave in the world".

© Ben Thouard. Overall winner - Ocean Photographer of the Year. The moment a surfer gets wiped out and worked by the turbulence of one of the heaviest waves in the world.
© Ben Thouard. Overall winner - Ocean Photographer of the Year.
The moment a surfer gets wiped out and worked by the turbulence of one of the heaviest waves in the world.

"This is the unseen part of surfing," Thouard said. "I have so much respect for both the wave and the surfers — surfing such a heavy wave is a huge challenge."

The competition is a celebration of the beauty of the ocean along with being a platform to highlight the numerous issues it faces.

© Katherine Lu. Overall runner-up - Ocean Photographer of the Year. A blanket octopus displays its beautiful colours and textures. "I was very sick during this dive," says photographer Katherine Lu. "I spent a lot of time trying to equalise near the surface. When my guide frantically signalled for me to come down I hesitated for moment, but went for it, pushing myself down. Luckily my ears equalised and there before my eyes was this beautiful blanket octopus. We swam alongside her and then, like magic, she opened up her blanket to show herself in all her glory."
© Katherine Lu. Overall runner-up - Ocean Photographer of the Year. A blanket octopus displays its beautiful colours and textures. "I was very sick during this dive," says photographer Katherine Lu. "I spent a lot of time trying to equalise near the surface. When my guide frantically signalled for me to come down I hesitated for moment, but went for it, pushing myself down. Luckily my ears equalised and there before my eyes was this beautiful blanket octopus. We swam alongside her and then, like magic, she opened up her blanket to show herself in all her glory."

The Ocean Photographer of the Year awards features nine categories along with the overall winner, the Ocean Photographer of the Year. The awards were judged by some of the world’s leading ocean and conservation photographers, including Paul Nicklen, Cristina Mittermeir, David Doubilet, Shawn Heinrichs, Andy Mann, and Sadie Quarrier.

Categories included Adventure, Wildlife, Fine Art, Conservation Hope, Conservation Impact, Female Fifty Fathoms, and Portfolio, amongst others.

© Brooke Pyke. First Place - Female Fifty Fathoms Award. A manta ray cruises above a sandy seabed off Coral Bay, Western Australia.
© Brooke Pyke. First Place - Female Fifty Fathoms Award.
A manta ray cruises above a sandy seabed off Coral Bay, Western Australia.

American photographer Katherine Lu took out overall second place for the title of Ocean Photographer of the Year with her image of a blanket octopus which was captured in the Philippines. Meanwhile Australian photographer Brooke Pyke from Western Australia took out first place in the Female Fifty Fathoms Award. Created last year, the award encourages women to share their view of the underwater world. Pyke became a professional photographer just two years ago.

© Brooke Pyke. First Place - Female Fifty Fathoms Award. A leopard shark cruises over the sandy bottom of the Ningaloo Reef lagoon.
© Brooke Pyke. First Place - Female Fifty Fathoms Award.
A leopard shark cruises over the sandy bottom of the Ningaloo Reef lagoon.

Check out all the category winners at this link.

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