Australian photographer Matty Smith has been named Underwater Photographer of the Year 2026.
Smith’s winning photo features a pair of southern elephant seal pups in a rockpool on the Falkland Islands.
Smith explained:
“Once their pups are weaned, elephant seal mothers abandon them ashore. I watched dozens clamber over one another in shallow rockpools, awkwardly learning to swim. On my very first evening, the sky ignited with colour and I captured a handful of frames before the light vanished. It was the defining moment of the long trip.”
Marine ecologist Dr. Alex Mustard, chair of the judging panel, added:
“The lives of elephant seals traverse land and sea; they are born on wild shores, but thrive in frigid waters. Smith used a special dome that he built himself to capture the revealing under-over perspective, perfectly balancing his lighting on the pups’ fur with the setting sun. Elephant seals were hunted right to the brink of extinction. Their oil rich blubber was used for everything from fuel for lighting to margarine. Fortunately, the hunt was stopped just in time, and their recovery over the last 100 years is a great example of resilience of the ocean. A beautiful and hopeful photograph.”
Malaysian photographer Khaichuin Sim was named Save Our Seas Foundation Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year 2026, with his photo “Innocence Meets Tradition,” depicting the annual pilot whale hunt in the Faroe Islands.
According to Sim:
“Seen by locals as a cultural heritage and source of food, it is condemned globally for its brutality and impact on wildlife. A young boy sits atop a slain whale amid blood-red waters, a haunting reflection of how tradition, identity and ethics collide.”
Contest judge Peter Rowlands said:
“A sad but powerful image which asks more questions than it answers. The message must be that traditions such as these have no place in modern society. Photography has the power to bring change.”
Sam Blount from the United States was named as PADI Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year 2026 for his photo “Lunging Leopard.”
Blount said:
“Leopard seals wield an astonishing array of dominance displays. This one put them all to use, darting around me with effortless power. Watching that massive mouth lined with sharp teeth charge straight toward me is a thrill I’ll never forget.”
Contest judge Tobias Friedrich said Blount’s photo was “probably the best leopard seal shots I’ve seen,” adding:
“To capture such a perfect composition with delicate lighting, in such an intense moment, is so impressive.”
Check out the full gallery of all the winners at underwaterphotographeroftheyear.com.
