Award-winning photos taken in the ocean capture the beauty and wonder of the underwater world
![Award-winning photos taken in the ocean capture the beauty and wonder of the underwater world](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-86646436%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-62466%2Faward-winning-photos-taken-in-the-ocean-capture-the-beauty-and-wonder-of-the-underwater-world.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Hannah Le Leu's award-winning photo of a green sea turtle hatchling.Hannah Le Leu/Ocean Photography Awards
- The Ocean Photography Awards announced its 2021 award winners.
- From colorful squids to baby sea turtles, the images capture the beauty of the underwater world.
- Aimee Jan won the first-place prize with an image of a turtle surrounded by glass fish.
These award-winning images from the 2021 Ocean Photography Awards capture the mystery of the underwater world. Aimee Jan's photo of a turtle surrounded by glass fish was the contest's winner.
![These award-winning images from the 2021 Ocean Photography Awards capture the mystery of the underwater world. Aimee Jan](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646954,width-700,height-525,imgsize-306912/these-award-winning-images-from-the-2021-ocean-photography-awards-capture-the-mystery-of-the-underwater-world-aimee-janaposs-photo-of-a-turtle-surrounded-by-glass-fish-was-the-contestaposs-winner-.jpg)
A green turtle, surrounded by glass fish in Ningaloo Reef, Australia.
Aimee Jan/Ocean Photography Awards
The competition's runner-up was Henley Spiers, who captured this energetic image of diving gannets, a type of seabird.
![The competition](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646947,width-700,height-525,imgsize-310698/the-competitionaposs-runner-up-was-henley-spiers-who-captured-this-energetic-image-of-diving-gannets-a-type-of-seabird-.jpg)
Henley Spiers caught this photo of seabirds as they embark on fishing dives in the Shetland Islands, Scotland.
Henley Spiers/Ocean Photography Awards
Third place in the overall contest went to Matty Smith for his image of a hawksbill turtle hatchling heading out to sea. The turtle was just a few minutes old, according to Smith's caption on the contest website.
![Third place in the overall contest went to Matty Smith for his image of a hawksbill turtle hatchling heading out to sea. The turtle was just a few minutes old, according to Smith](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646943,width-700,height-525,imgsize-75518/third-place-in-the-overall-contest-went-to-matty-smith-for-his-image-of-a-hawksbill-turtle-hatchling-heading-out-to-sea-the-turtle-was-just-a-few-minutes-old-according-to-smithaposs-caption-on-the-contest-website-.jpg)
A hawksbill sea turtle heads out to sea for the first time in Papua New Guinea.
Matty Smith/Ocean Photography Awards
In the adventure photographer of the year category, Ben Thouard was awarded first place for an action-packed photo of a surfer in Tahiti.
![In the adventure photographer of the year category, Ben Thouard was awarded first place for an action-packed photo of a surfer in Tahiti.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646940,width-700,height-525,imgsize-45504/in-the-adventure-photographer-of-the-year-category-ben-thouard-was-awarded-first-place-for-an-action-packed-photo-of-a-surfer-in-tahiti-.jpg)
Surfer Matahi Drollet catches a wave known as Teahupo’o in Tahiti.
Ben Thouard/Ocean Photography Awards
Thouard also placed second in the same category with this image, which has a unique, low-angle shot.
![Thouard also placed second in the same category with this image, which has a unique, low-angle shot.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646933,width-700,height-525,imgsize-177498/thouard-also-placed-second-in-the-same-category-with-this-image-which-has-a-unique-low-angle-shot-.jpg)
A wave known as Teahupo’o, as seen from below.
Ben Thouard /Ocean Photography Awards
Sebastien Pontoizeau's image of a free diver and a humpback whale placed third in the adventure photographer of the year category.
![Sebastien Pontoizeau](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646927,width-700,height-525,imgsize-60192/sebastien-pontoizeauaposs-image-of-a-free-diver-and-a-humpback-whale-placed-third-in-the-adventure-photographer-of-the-year-category-.jpg)
A freediver duck-dives to capture a photograph of a humpback whale.
Sebastien Pontoizeau/Ocean Photography Awards
There was only one winner in the community choice category, and it was Phil de Glanville for this image of surfer Jack Robinson in Western Australia.
![There was only one winner in the community choice category, and it was Phil de Glanville for this image of surfer Jack Robinson in Western Australia.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646921,width-700,height-525,imgsize-151404/there-was-only-one-winner-in-the-community-choice-category-and-it-was-phil-de-glanville-for-this-image-of-surfer-jack-robinson-in-western-australia-.jpg)
Surfer Jack Robinson rides waves off the coast of Western Australia.
Phil de Glanville /Ocean Photography Awards
Stefan Christmann's impressive penguin photo collection, including this image of two emperor penguin fathers, earned the photographer the collective portfolio award.
![Stefan Christmann](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646915,width-700,height-525,imgsize-31076/stefan-christmannaposs-impressive-penguin-photo-collection-including-this-image-of-two-emperor-penguin-fathers-earned-the-photographer-the-collective-portfolio-award-.jpg)
Two emperor penguin fathers meet on the sea ice, showing their offspring.
Stefan Christmann/Ocean Photography Awards
Runner-up for the collective portfolio award was Matty Smith for his photographs of colorful marine animals, including this image of a striate anglerfish.
![Runner-up for the collective portfolio award was Matty Smith for his photographs of colorful marine animals, including this image of a striate anglerfish.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646909,width-700,height-525,imgsize-151200/runner-up-for-the-collective-portfolio-award-was-matty-smith-for-his-photographs-of-colorful-marine-animals-including-this-image-of-a-striate-anglerfish-.jpg)
A striate anglerfish, captured by Matty Smith.
Matty Smith/Ocean Photography Awards
Finally, Alex Kydd earned the third spot in the collective portfolio award with a series of images they took off the coast of Western Australia and West Papua, Indonesia.
![Finally, Alex Kydd earned the third spot in the collective portfolio award with a series of images they took off the coast of Western Australia and West Papua, Indonesia.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646893,width-700,height-525,imgsize-27660/finally-alex-kydd-earned-the-third-spot-in-the-collective-portfolio-award-with-a-series-of-images-they-took-off-the-coast-of-western-australia-and-west-papua-indonesia-.jpg)
A whale shark swimming in the blue on the Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia.
Alex Kydd/Ocean Photography Awards
Kerim Sabuncuoglu won in the conservation photographer of the year for this heart-wrenching image of a dead moray eel on a fishing line.
![Kerim Sabuncuoglu won in the conservation photographer of the year for this heart-wrenching image of a dead moray eel on a fishing line.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646881,width-700,height-525,imgsize-71584/kerim-sabuncuoglu-won-in-the-conservation-photographer-of-the-year-for-this-heart-wrenching-image-of-a-dead-moray-eel-on-a-fishing-line-.jpg)
A dead moray eel on an abandoned fishing line.
Kerim Sabuncuoglu/Ocean Photography Awards
Second-place in the category also features the tragic outcome of fishing line. Galice Hoarau snapped this image of a seagull caught on a ghost fishing line in Norway.
![Second-place in the category also features the tragic outcome of fishing line. Galice Hoarau snapped this image of a seagull caught on a ghost fishing line in Norway.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646872,width-700,height-525,imgsize-67462/second-place-in-the-category-also-features-the-tragic-outcome-of-fishing-line-galice-hoarau-snapped-this-image-of-a-seagull-caught-on-a-ghost-fishing-line-in-norway-.jpg)
A gull caught on a ghost fishing line.
Galice Hoarau/Ocean Photography Awards
This image of a nautilus - a type of marine mollusk - floating with a piece of trash earned Steven Kovacs third place in the conservation photographer of the year category.
![This image of a nautilus - a type of marine mollusk - floating with a piece of trash earned Steven Kovacs third place in the conservation photographer of the year category.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646867,width-700,height-525,imgsize-107546/this-image-of-a-nautilus-xa0a-type-of-marine-mollusk-floating-with-a-piece-of-trash-earned-steven-kovacs-third-place-in-the-conservation-photographer-of-the-year-category-.jpg)
A female paper nautilus drifts along on a piece of trash in Anilao, Philippines.
Steven Kovacs/Ocean Photography Awards
Martin Broen won the award for exploration photographer of the year with this photo of an underwater cave in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
![Martin Broen won the award for exploration photographer of the year with this photo of an underwater cave in Quintana Roo, Mexico.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646857,width-700,height-525,imgsize-189832/martin-broen-won-the-award-for-exploration-photographer-of-the-year-with-this-photo-of-an-underwater-cave-in-quintana-roo-mexico-.jpg)
Speleothems cast long shadows at cenote Dos Pisos in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Martin Broen/Ocean Photography Awards
Kovacs was also a runner-up for the exploration photographer of the year category with this image of a rare, deep-water eel larva.
![Kovacs was also a runner-up for the exploration photographer of the year category with this image of a rare, deep-water eel larva.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646849,width-700,height-525,imgsize-29372/kovacs-was-also-a-runner-up-for-the-exploration-photographer-of-the-year-category-with-this-image-of-a-rare-deep-water-eel-larva-.jpg)
A rare deep-water cusk eel larva spotted in Florida.
Steven Kovacs/Ocean Photography Awards
Smith's detailed portrait of a squid earned him third place in the exploration photographer of the year category.
![Smith](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646834,width-700,height-525,imgsize-81798/smithaposs-detailed-portrait-of-a-squid-earned-him-third-place-in-the-exploration-photographer-of-the-year-category-.jpg)
A portrait of a squid.
Matty Smith/Ocean Photography Awards
For the first time, the competition added a "female fifty fathoms" award, designed to celebrate women photographers. Renee Capozzola won first place with her portfolio of work, including this image of a blacktip reef shark.
![For the first time, the competition added a "female fifty fathoms" award, designed to celebrate women photographers. Renee Capozzola won first place with her portfolio of work, including this image of a blacktip reef shark.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646820,width-700,height-525,imgsize-69604/for-the-first-time-the-competition-added-a-quotfemale-fifty-fathomsquot-award-designed-to-celebrate-women-photographers-renee-capozzola-won-first-place-with-her-portfolio-of-work-including-this-image-of-a-blacktip-reef-shark-.jpg)
A lone blacktip reef shark lines up its dorsal fin with the setting sun in Moorea, French Polynesia.
Renee Capozzola/Ocean Photography Awards
Jan, who won the overall contest, came in second place in the female fifty fathoms category with her image of a solitary manta ray feeding off the coast of Western Australia.
![Jan, who won the overall contest, came in second place in the female fifty fathoms category with her image of a solitary manta ray feeding off the coast of Western Australia.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646806,width-700,height-525,imgsize-45904/jan-who-won-the-overall-contest-came-in-second-place-in-the-female-fifty-fathoms-category-with-her-image-of-a-solitary-manta-ray-feeding-off-the-coast-of-western-australia-.jpg)
A manta ray feeds in calm waters.
Aimee Jan/Ocean Photography Awards
A breathtaking image of a leopard shark by Emily Ledwidge placed third in the female fifty fathoms category.
![A breathtaking image of a leopard shark by Emily Ledwidge placed third in the female fifty fathoms category.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646788,width-700,height-525,imgsize-60924/a-breathtaking-image-of-a-leopard-shark-by-emily-ledwidge-placed-third-in-the-female-fifty-fathoms-category-.jpg)
A leopard shark slowly swims away on the Ningaloo Reef.
Emily Ledwidge/Ocean Photography Awards
Hannah Le Leu was deemed the young photographer of the year for her image of a green sea turtle hatchling bobbing in the ocean.
![Hannah Le Leu was deemed the young photographer of the year for her image of a green sea turtle hatchling bobbing in the ocean.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646764,width-700,height-525,imgsize-69956/hannah-le-leu-was-deemed-the-young-photographer-of-the-year-for-her-image-of-a-green-sea-turtle-hatchling-bobbing-in-the-ocean-.jpg)
A green sea turtle hatchling cautiously surfaces for air.
Hannah Le Leu/Ocean Photography Awards
Jack McKee earned second place in the same category for a whimsical image of a juvenile flying fish.
![Jack McKee earned second place in the same category for a whimsical image of a juvenile flying fish.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646746,width-700,height-525,imgsize-26074/jack-mckee-earned-second-place-in-the-same-category-for-a-whimsical-image-of-a-juvenile-flying-fish-.jpg)
A juvenile flying fish, photographed from below in Australia.
Jack McKee/Ocean Photography Awards
Finally, an image of two gray whales and their perfect poses earned Mikayla Jones third place in the young photographer of the year category.
![Finally, an image of two gray whales and their perfect poses earned Mikayla Jones third place in the young photographer of the year category.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-86646726,width-700,height-525,imgsize-181024/finally-an-image-of-two-gray-whales-and-their-perfect-poses-earned-mikayla-jones-third-place-in-the-young-photographer-of-the-year-category-.jpg)
Two gray whales looked like they were posing for Mikayla Jones' photo.
Mikayla Jones/Ocean Photography Awards
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