13 award-winning underwater photos reveal the magical worlds beneath the ocean's surface

Talia LakritzFeb 11, 2021, 02:24 IST

"A striped marlin in a high speed hunt in Mexico" by Karim Iliya.© Karim Iliya/UPY2021

The Underwater Photographer of the Year awards announced the winners of its 2021 contest.
The photos show underwater creatures, as well as shipwrecks and caves.
Renee Capozzola was the overall winner with a photo of sharks feeding at sunset.

Every year, the Underwater Photographer of the Year competition recognizes stunning photos of life below sea level. Talented photographers from around the world often brave rough waters, perilous dives, and close encounters with animals on the hunt to capture their shots.

The competition awards photos in categories such as "Behavior," "Portrait," and "My Backyard," as well as an overall winner.

Here are the winners of this year's contest. You can view last year's winners here.

The winner of the Macro category was "'Pontohi pygmy seahorse" by Galice Hoarau.

Location: Siladen, Indonesia. © Galice Hoarau/UPY2021

Tobias Friedrich stumbled upon a photo-worthy sunken ship in "Bowlander," winning him first place in the Wrecks category.

Location: The Bahamas. © Tobias Friedrich/UPY2021

First place in the Behavior category went to "A striped marlin in a high speed hunt in Mexico" by Karim Iliya.

Location: Mexico. © Karim Iliya/UPY2021

Diana Fernie won the Black and White category with "The Cut" after finding a woman she called "the perfect subject."

Location: Solomon Islands. © Diana Fernie/UPY2021

"Doule (Kuhlia Rupestris) near the surface" took first place in the Compact category, with judges commending its variety of colors.

Location: New Caledonia. © Jack Berthomier/UPY2021

"Guardian Deity" by Ryohei Ito won the Portrait category.

Location: Japan. © Ryohei Ito/UPY2021

The British Waters Macro winner was "Portrait of a variable blenny" by Malcolm Nimmo.

Location: Plymouth Sound, UK. © Malcolm Nimmo/UPY2021

In "SS Hispania," Kirsty Andrews captured a wreck completely covered in anemones and sponges. The photo won the British Waters Living Together category.

Location: Sound of Mull, UK. © Kirsty Andrews/UPY2021

"Sunrise Mute Swan Feeding Underwater" by Ian Wade won first place in the British Waters Compact category. He captured it with the help of a GoPro.

Using a drone, Karim Iliya captured "Aerial view of a crowded island in Guna Yala" and won the Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year award.

Mark Kirkland needed a lot of patience to capture "While You Sleep." It won the British Underwater Photographer of the Year award and first place in the "My Backyard" category.

SJ Alice Bennett was named the Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year and Most Promising British Underwater Photographer with her photo "Tying In."

Renee Capozzola was named the 2021 Underwater Photographer of the Year for her stunning photo entitled "Sharks' Skylight."

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