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14 Award-Winning Photos of Marine Life and Sea Exploration

Edited By: Natalia J.

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The mysterious and serene depths of the ocean have attracted and fascinated humanity for millennia, and they continue capturing our attention today. After all, the deep ocean remains the last unexplored frontier on our planet, and we can only wonder what secrets are waiting for us within its dark waters.

Photography allows those of us who are not marine photographers or sea explorers to get a glimpse of the ocean’s mysteries. And that’s exactly why we’re always so eager to admire and share the winners of the annual Underwater Photographer of the Year competition with you. The year 2021 is no different. Yet again, we get to marvel at these artful photos and see the wonders of aquatic life.

1. Winner: "Shark's Skylight" by Renee Capozzola

Location: Moorea, French Polynesia

2021 Underwater Photographer of the Year "Shark's Skylight" by Renee Capozzola

Image Source: Renee Capozzola/ Underwater Photographer of the Year

2. British Waters Wide Angle Winner: "While you sleep" by Mark Kirkland

Location: Malls Mire, Glasgow, Scotland

2021 Underwater Photographer of the Year "While you sleep" by Mark Kirkland

Image Source: Mark Kirkland/ Underwater Photographer of the Year

Related Article: The 20 Epic Winners of the 2020 Underwater Photo Contest

3. "Bowlander" by Tobias Friedrich

Location: Nassau, Bahamas

2021 Underwater Photographer of the Year "Bowlander" by Tobias Friedrich

Image Source: Tobias Friedrich/ Underwater Photographer of the Year

4. "Resplendence - Black browed Albatross" by Danny Lee

Location: Bay of Fires, Tasmania, Australia

2021 Underwater Photographer of the Year "Resplendence - Black browed Albatross" by Danny Lee

Image Source: Danny Lee/ Underwater Photographer of the Year

Related Article: Underwater Photographer of the Year - 2018 Edition

5. "Guardian Deity" by Ryohei Ito

Location: Japan

2021 Underwater Photographer of the Year "Guardian Deity" by Ryohei Ito

Image Source: Ryohei Ito/ Underwater Photographer of the Year

6. "Jellyfish galore" by Oleg Gaponyuk

Location: Jellyfish Lake, Palau

2021 Underwater Photographer of the Year "Jellyfish galore" by Oleg Gaponyuk

Image Source: Oleg Gaponyuk/ Underwater Photographer of the Year

7. "Japanese manefish" by Keigo Kawamura

Location: Japan

2021 Underwater Photographer of the Year "Japanese manefish" by Keigo Kawamura

Image Source: Keigo Kawamura/ Underwater Photographer of the Year

8. "Face to face" by JingGong Zhang

Location: Minabe, Wakayama, Japan

2021 Underwater Photographer of the Year "Face to face" by JingGong Zhang

Image Source: JingGong Zhang/ Underwater Photographer of the Year

Related Article: Underwater Photography Contest 2017

9. "Rainbow goby" by ManBd

Location: Lembeh, Indonesia

2021 Underwater Photographer of the Year "Rainbow goby" by ManBd

Image Source: ManBd/ Underwater Photographer of the Year

10. "Sunrise mute swan feeding underwater" by Ian Wade

Location: St Georges Park, Bristol, UK

2021 Underwater Photographer of the Year "Sunrise mute swan feeding underwater" by Ian Wade

Image Source: Ian Wade/ Underwater Photographer of the Year

11. "Larval lionfish" by Steven Kovacs

Location: Palm Beach, Florida, USA

2021 Underwater Photographer of the Year "Larval lionfish" by Steven Kovacs

Image Source: Steven Kovacs/ Underwater Photographer of the Year

12. "Gothic Chamber" by Martin Broen

Location: Cenote Monkey Dust, Mexico

2021 Underwater Photographer of the Year "Gothic Chamber" by Martin Broen

Image Source: Martin Broen/ Underwater Photographer of the Year

13. "A striped marlin in a high-speed hunt in Mexico" by Karim Iliya

Location: San Carlos, Baja, California, USA

2021 Underwater Photographer of the Year "A striped marlin in a high speed hunt in Mexico" by Karim Iliya

Image Source: Karim Iliya/ Underwater Photographer of the Year

14. "Grey seal gully" by Kirsty Andrews

Location: Farne Islands, Northumberland, UK

2021 Underwater Photographer of the Year "Grey seal gully" by Kirsty Andrews

Image Source: Kirsty Andrews/ Underwater Photographer of the Year

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Related Topics: aquatic, marine life, beautiful pictures, award-winning, photography competition, underwater photos, 2021

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