The finalists of this year’s Ocean Photographer of the Year competition did blow it out of the water. From hundreds of baby octopuses in the waters around Indonesia to giant humpback whales, to dramatic encounters with Komodo dragons, photographers have captured some of our planet’s most awesome creatures in their native habitat.
Photos are divided into seven categories, focusing on marine conservation, and humans have a great influence on marine life. For example, the Hope category focuses on healthy and rapidly developing ecosystems, while the images in the impact group do not filter out the huge impact of overfishing, waste and pollution.
“Amid the deepening climate and biodiversity crisis on our blue planet, ocean photography has never been more important,” says Will Harrison, Opy Direction. These images are not just beautiful things, they are powerful visual proofs we want to lose, and they remind us of the urgent need for protection. Ocean Photographer of the Year remains an important platform for sharing key stories from above and below the waterline. ”
Winners of each category and competition will be announced on September 18. See more of our favorite images below and explore the full finalist gallery on the competition website.
