Key dates & big news
5 March
New judge: Sadie Quarrier.
Nat Geo deputy director of photography joins for 2022.
10 March
New judge: David Doubilet.
Legendary ocean photographer joins for 2022!
14 April
20% OFF entries in first 4 weeks!
USE COUPON CODE 'EARLYBIRD20' AT CHECKOUT.
13 May
Last day for Earlybirds!
Last day to enjoy 20% off your entries. Use 'earlybird20' at checkout.
1 June
One month to go!
Just one month left to enter your images!
23 June
FINAL week!
Just one week left to enter OPY2022!
30 June
Entry deadline!
Last chance! Get your photographs in today before midnight GMT.
15 July
Judging complete.
Winners and finalists have been picked!
12 September
WINNERs WEEK!
The OPY2022 winners are announced throughout the week!
16 September
Public exhibition open
The London exhibition opens at Tower Bridge
17 October
Public exhibition closes
The London exhibition closes at Tower Bridge
About the Awards
The Ocean Photographer of the Year is a celebration of our beautiful blue planet, as well as a platform to highlight the many plights it is facing.
Ocean photographers of all disciplines and experience levels – amateurs and professionals alike – are invited to submit their most impactful imagery to be judged by a panel of some of the world’s leading ocean photographers, including International Photography Hall of Fame inductee Paul Nicklen, founder of the International League of Conservation Photographers, Cristina Mittermeier, and Emmy Award-winning cinematographer Shawn Heinrichs.
A total of nine categories will be judged, with the overall winner crowned the Ocean Photographer of the Year™ in September this year.
Meet the Judges
The Ocean Photographer of the Year judging panel is made up of some of the world’s leading ocean photographers. Expedition leaders and award-winners who have played significant roles in the creation of MPAs, the protection of individual species and broader public awareness and ocean literacy campaigns, they know what it takes to create powerful, captivating ocean imagery. Can your imagery connect with them? Discover a little more about our panel below.
Award Categories
The Ocean Photographer of the Year consists of just nine categories and the overall winner, the Ocean Photographer of the Year™. The categories are broad in their focus and open to a little personal interpretation. This is to make the Awards as inclusive as possible and to ensure the bravest and boldest photographers out there aren’t dissuaded from entering because their images don’t fit prescriptive categories. Underwater, topside, on the coast or out at sea, if you feel your ocean image has the chance to connect emotionally with the judges, they’d love to see it. The deadline for this year’s submissions is June 30, 2022.
Winners and finalists 2021
The Ocean Photographer of the Year
Aimee Jan Western Australia
Adventure Photographer of the Year
Ben Thouard French Polynesia
Adventure Photographer of the Year
SEBASTIEN PONTOIZEAU Réunion Island
Exploration Photographer of the Year
Martin Broen Mexico
Exploration Photographer of the Year
TOBIAS FRIEDRICH Greenland
Conservation Photographer of the Year
Kerim Sabuncuoglu Turkey
Conservation Photographer of the Year
Stefan Christmann Antarctica
Community Choice Award
Phil de Glanville Western Australia
Community Choice Award
Michael Haluwana Western Australia
Young Photographer of the Year
Hannah Le Leu Australia
Collective Portfolio Award
Stefan Christmann Antarctica
Female Fifty Fathoms Award
Renee Capozzola French Polynesia
Collective Portfolio Award
Alex Kydd Western Australia
Collective Portfolio Award
Steve kovacs United States
Stay updated @ocean_photography_awards
OF THE OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS
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