In Photos: The Underwater Photographer of the Year

Wrecks category runner-up

Wreck of the Chrisoula K by Tobias Friedrich (Germany) in Abu Nuhas Egypt

Because the bow sections of the Chrisoula K wreck in the Red Sea are too big to be taken in one image, my idea was to create a panoramic view from multiple images and merge them together to one big panorama to get a nice view of the whole wreck from that perspective

Photograph: Tobias Friedrich/Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019

 

Behaviour category winner

The Gauntlet by Richard Barnden (UK) in Fakarava South Pass, French Polynesia

The estimated 700 sharks that patrol the mouth of the Fakarava South Pass begin to hunt at night … This unlucky parrotfish dodged in and out of the patch coral heads looking for somewhere to hide … In desperation it hurtled straight towards me as I snapped a few passing shots and curled up into a ball as the frenzy of sharks shot past, leaving only but a few falling parrotfish scales behind.

Photograph: Richard Barnden/Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019

 

Behaviour category runner-up

The Heat Run by Scott Portelli (Australia) in Vavau, Tonga

The heat run is the ultimate wildlife encounter, multiple whales competing for a female, the chase can last for hours or even days. Often many dolphin species are found moving with the humpback groups … On this day we jumped in with this group of 16 whales and 50 dolphins moving at high speed, trying to position ourselves in the right place to capture something amazing that not many people have experienced. It was truly heart-thumping and adrenaline-pumping action to be a part of.

Photograph: Scott Portelli/Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019