From whales to coral reefs, this photo contest showcases underwater excellence : ru-Foto.ru

2025 DPG Masters Underwater Imaging Competition DivePhotoGuide (DPG) has announced the winners of its Masters Underwater Imaging Competition 2025. The contest consists of nine image categories, including wide angle, macro, over-under, compact and more, along with one video category.

It also awards one overall winner, with this year's honor going to Yuka Takahashi for her stunning image of two humpback whales swimming side by side in Mo'orea.

The DPG Masters Underwater Imaging Competition may be smaller than some photo competitions, but it still showcases stunning imagery. This year's edition received more than 2000 entries from underwater photographers and videographers around the world. A panel of six judges

You can see all of the winning images and learn more about the contest at the DPG website.

Overall Winner, Wide Angle - Gold

Photographer: Yuka Takahashi

Country: Japan

Title: Synchronized Humpback Whales

Shooting location: Mo’orea, French Polynesia

Equipment and settings: Sony a7R Mark IV, Sony FE 16–35mm F2. 8, SeaFrogs housing (F4. 5, 1/500s, ISO 320)

Photographer's comment: A pair of humpback whales swims in synchronicity off the French Polynesian island of Mo’orea. Every year, migrating humpback whales from the Southern Hemisphere journey to Mo’orea to use its warm waters as a nursery and resting ground. These two humpbacks are always seen together, and I was fortunate to capture this rare moment in which they mirrored each other’s position and movement almost perfectly. Living close to nature has taught me lessons no textbook ever could, including the realization that each animal has a unique personality. To me, this photograph reflects the strong bond between the two whales while also revealing their playful and curious nature. One of the most special moments I have experienced, this encounter truly made me feel a deep connection with wildlife.

Wide Angle - Silver

Photographer: Evgenii Ivkov

Country: Russia

Title: Through the Looking Glass

Shooting location: Lakey Peak, Sumbawa, Indonesia

Equipment and settings: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, Canon EF 8–14mm F4 Fisheye, Liquid Eye housing (F10, 1/2000s, ISO 1000)

Photographer's comment: There was a good weather forecast on this particular day of our surf trip to Sumbawa, and I knew I had a great opportunity to try and get some underwater shots with a surfer in a tube, as the water clarity and conditions were perfect. The hardest part was constantly being in the breaking zone of fairly large and powerful waves. You need to understand and read the ocean well to do that. A small mistake can be very costly if you’re in the wrong place. The swell that day was great. The waves were double overhead, and the surfers put on a show. I spent almost two hours in the water and made numerous attempts before I got a really good series. The best waves were taken by local surfers, and one of the Indonesian surfers is in the photo.

Macro - Gold

Photographer: Sunbong Jung

Country: South Korea

Title: House Cleaning

Shooting location: Anilao, Batangas, Philippines

Equipment and settings: Canon EOS R5, Canon RF 100mm F2. 8 Macro, Seacam housing, Retra strobes (F2. 8, 160s, ISO 400)

Photographer's comment: A bluestriped fangblenny repeatedly scoops up sand from its burrow with its mouth and spits it out. At first glance, the behavior appears random, almost playful, but closer observation reveals a precise and purposeful routine. The fish follows a systematic three-step excavation process, carefully clearing its home grain by grain. This image captures the final and most dramatic stage—the moment the fangblenny launches itself upward from the burrow at roughly a 45-degree angle, forcefully ejecting the remaining sand as far away as possible. The brief burst of motion, frozen in time, highlights both the intelligence and determination hidden within this tiny reef dweller.

Macro - Silver

Photographer: Wojtek M

Country: Poland

Title: Pregnant Denise

Shooting location: Lembeh, Indonesia

Equipment and settings: OM System OM-1 Mark II, Olympus M. Zuiko 90mm F3. 5 Macro, Nauticam housing, Inon Z-240 strobes, Backscatter MW-4300 video light (F18, F160s, ISO 200)

Photographer's comment: Prior to this dive, our guides had mentioned that there was a possibility of encountering a Denise’s pygmy seahorse, but after entering the water, there wasn’t much to see and I remember thinking our chances were slim. Yet, when we reached this small, pristine fan coral, I was amazed—and overjoyed—to find this tiny, pregnant pygmy living there. I took just three or four shots, trying not to disturb the animal too much. It seemed to pose proudly among the branches of the fan.

Traditional - Gold

Photographer: Chris Gug

Country: USA

Title: King of the Hill

Shooting location: Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia

Equipment and settings: Nikon Z8, Nikon Z 105mm F2. 8 Macro, Nauticam housing, Backscatter HF-1 strobes (F25, 1/25s, ISO 320)

Photographer's comment: On the way back up a deep, sandy muck slope, at 25 feet, I saw my 30th tube anemone of the dive, and I habitually—obsessively—inspect each and every one for symbionts. The prize I was looking for wasn’t just present but perched in the perfect spot, looking like the ruler of its domain. Before beginning to shoot, I knew I wanted a blue background rather than black, so I slowed the shutter speed. Since I had to be quite far back for this composition with my 105mm macro lens, I moved my strobes all the way forward to try to minimize backscatter. Then the challenge was getting a crisp shot at 1/25s (since I’m an ISO noise snob) as the anemone swayed back and forth in the current. So, much to the chagrin of my housing’s already-gritty O-rings, I braced the housing in the sand as a poor excuse for a tripod. I checked this anemone each time I repeated this site over the next few weeks, and the crab was never there again, so I’m glad I dedicated all the time I could when the chance presented itself.

Traditional - Silver

Photographer: Galice Hoarau

Country: Norway

Title: Shaw’s Sea Snake

Shooting location: Anda, Bohol, Philippines

Equipment and settings: Sony a7R Mark IV, Sony FE 90mm F2. 8 Macro, Nauticam housing, Nauticam EMWL-1 with 160° Objective Lens, Retra Flash Pro Max strobes (F16, 1/160s, ISO 640)

Photographer's comment: Encountering this sea snake (Hydrophis sp. ) during a dive off Anda in the Philippines, I noticed some rather unusual behavior. First, the snake was rubbing itself on the sand in a vertical U-shape, then it was literally tying itself in knots. I could see pieces of skin hanging at the tail—it was shedding! Although sea snakes are known to exhibit such behavior to help slough off their old skin, it has rarely been captured in a photo—so I knew I had captured something special.

Unrestricted - Gold

Photographer: Karyll Gonzalez

Country: USA

Title: Even Eyes Deserve a Spa Day

Shooting location: Lembeh Strait, Indonesia

Equipment and settings: Nikon D7200, Nikon AF-S 60mm F2. 8 Macro, Nauticam housing, Sea&Sea YS-D2 strobes, 10Bar macro snoot (F11, 1/250s, ISO 200)

Photographer's comment: This composite image was created during a multi-week trip to Lembeh, Indonesia. Our dive guide found a black sand patch with multiple snake eels, but this was the only one that had cleaner shrimp associated with it. With the dive guide assisting by holding my snoot, the shrimp moved along the snake eel and I managed to capture this shot with the crustacean over its eye. The sun ball that forms the background was shot later on the trip.

Unrestricted - Silver

Photographer: Fan Ping

Country: China

Title: Skull at Green Cave Sink

Shooting location: Meizhou, Guangdong, China

Equipment and settings: Sony a7S Mark III, Sony FE 28–60mm F4–5. 6, Nauticam housing, Nauticam WACP-1, DivePro G18 video light (F5, 1/400, ISO 16000)

Photographer's comment: The skull in this photo was the first human remains we saw after descending into Green Cave Sink (ssing of centuries. In that moment, I didn’t feel fear, or even fascination. What I felt was heavier: This wasn’t a movie prop, or a prank planted by some thrill-seeking explorer. It was real. Someone once lived here. And now, they remained here.

Over-Under - Gold

Photographer: Anton Sorokin

Country: USA

Title: Sierran Gold

Shooting location: Sierra Nevada mountains, CA, USA

Equipment and settings: Nikon D810, Nikon AF-S 8–15mm F3. 5–4. 5 Fisheye, Nauticam, Seacam strobes (F16, 1/60s, ISO 400)

Photographer's comment: In the spring, in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, streams fed by snowmelt flow cold and clear. Remarkably resistant to the cold temperatures, Sierra newts (Taricha sierrae) take to the water to breed, spending weeks in the stream. During this time, they will find a mate and lay their eggs on the underside of boulders underwater in deeper pools. From above the water’s surface, a newt appears as a golden-orange shimmer on the bottom of the fast-flowing stream; one has to wonder how often during California’s gold rush prospectors mistook the amphibians for precious metals!

Over-Under - Silver

Photographer: Suliman Alatiqi

Country: Kuwait

Title: Marine-Adapted from Head to Toe

Shooting location: Midriff Islands, Mexico

Equipment and settings: Nikon D850, Nikon AF-S 8–15mm F3. 5–4. 5 Fisheye, Nauticam housing (F10, 1/125s, ISO 100)

Photographer's comment: This split shot, captured with a close-focus wide-angle technique, aims to emphasize the key features of the brown booby (Sula leucogaster), a sleek, agile seabird perfectly adapted to the open ocean. The brown booby is commonly encountered resting on the water’s surface, its water-repellent feathers preventing it from becoming too heavy for takeoff and also helping insulate its body to maintain heat. Webbed feet allow it to efficiently paddle through the water while diving for food and give it the ability to launch itself from the water’s surface. Meanwhile, the dagger-like shape of its beak helps keep it streamlined when diving to minimize drag, while the sharp tip aids in piercing its slippery prey, such as fish and squid. Finally, its forward-positioned eyes provide binocular overlap, which aids in depth perception when judging plunge-dives.

Conservation - Gold

Photographer: James Ferrara

Country: USA

Title: Survivor

Shooting location: Sri Lanka

Equipment and settings: Sony a7R Mark V, Sigma 15mm F1. 4 Fisheye, Nauticam housing (F11, 1/800s, ISO 320)

Photographer's comment: While on an expedition in Sri Lanka, we encountered an olive ridley turtle ensnared in ghost fishing nets, drifting amid the active gear of a nearby fishing boat. After speaking with the fishermen and receiving their permission, my wife and I, along with our boat captain, entered the water to help free the animal. As we worked, we discovered the turtle was already missing a front flipper, likely the result of a previous entanglement. Carefully cutting away the ropes, we released its trapped back flipper and watched as it swam free—now relying on only two flippers on one side of its body. The turtle disappeared into the blue, its ultimate fate remaining unknown. What stayed with me was its resilience and undeniable will to survive. I hope this image resonates with the wider public, serving as a quiet but powerful reminder of the lasting impact human activities have on these remarkable marine creatures.

Conservation - Silver

Photographer: Daniel Taylor

Country: Mexico

Title: Entangled Fates

Shooting location: Baja California Sur, Mexico

Equipment and settings: Canon EOS R, Canon RF 15–35mm F2. 8, Nauticam housing (F10, 1/500s, ISO 800)

Photographer's comment: On August 2nd, 2025—less than 48 hours after Baja California’s annual three-month shark fishing ban was lifted—I was exploring the ocean with friends when something caught my eye through binoculars in the distance. At first, it looked like drifting trash. But as we approached, two small fin tips barely breaking the surface beside an empty plastic soda bottle revealed the truth: This male silky shark had mistaken a meal for survival, and lost.

Here, shark fishing often exists within complex and sometimes illegal networks, where intervening can place one’s own life at risk. Before getting closer, we scanned the horizon for nearby boats that might have set the line. Knowing what I would find, our captain stood watch as I entered the water. In that moment, our paths were bound by the same line, but with very different outcomes. The shark’s fate was sealed; mine was a choice. Unable to free it without putting myself in danger, I used the only tool I could safely employ: my camera. I hope the images I took will help to give a voice to those entangled in a system they cannot escape or fight against.

Cold Water - Gold

Photographer: Francesco Visintin

Country: Italy

Title: Blue Crayfish

Shooting location: Tuscany, Italy

Equipment and settings: Nikon Z8, Nikon AF-S 8–15mm F3. 5–4. 5 Fisheye, Isotta housing, Isotta RED64 strobes (F16, 1/25s, ISO 800)

Photographer's comment: This freshwater crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes italicus) displays an extraordinary blue coloration caused by a rare genetic mutation. While the species is normally camouflaged in hazel or olive tones to blend with the riverbed, a disrupted bond between carotenoid pigments and specific proteins reveals this striking blue hue, an exceptionally uncommon phenomenon in nature. Beyond its unusual appearance, this species is a sensitive indicator of ecosystem health, surviving only in pristine freshwater environments with stable temperatures, high oxygen levels, and minimal human disturbance. Today, its populations are in severe decline due to habitat fragmentation and degradation, the spread of pathogenic agents such as crayfish plague, and increasing pressure from invasive alien predators, including raccoons.

Cold Water - Silver

Photographer: James Ferrara

Country: USA

Title: Killer Light

Shooting location: Norway

Equipment and settings: Sony a7R Mark V, Sigma 15mm F1. 4 Fisheye, Nauticam housing (F4, 1/250s, ISO 800)

Photographer's comment: I set out to photograph orcas in the frigid fjords of Norway, where conditions can be unpredictable and often unforgiving. During my time there, however, the weather was nothing short of extraordinary. On this particular day, the sun shone brightly beneath a clear blue sky—an uncommon gift for this time of year. A pod of roughly 10 orcas was actively feeding on herring when one individual broke away from the group and moved toward the light. I followed at a distance as the orca swam calmly into the sunlit water, then suddenly turned and headed directly toward me. At the last possible moment, it veered aside, offering a perfectly framed, full-body view illuminated by cascading rays. Opportunities for a composition like this are rare, requiring timing, trust, and a great deal of luck. I feel incredibly fortunate to have witnessed—and captured—this fleeting, unforgettable moment in the wild.

Compact - Gold

Photographer: Manuel W

Country: Switzerland

Title: Tree of Life

Shooting location: Cenote Dos Pisos, Mexico

Equipment and settings: Sony RX100 Mark VII, Nauticam housing, Nauticam WWL-C, three X-Adventurer M8000 video lights (F2. 8, 1/50s, ISO 1600)

Photographer's comment: In Mexico’s Cenote Dos Pisos, earth, water, and time merge into a single, breathing organism. Roots break through the ceiling of the cave and reach deep into the water. Light filters through the earth, bathing the scene in a mysterious glow. Millennia have shaped these formations, and yet everything feels alive. When I dove there, it was the silence that struck me. It was as if nature whispered its story—of rain seeping through limestone, of roots searching for life, and of light offering hope. It was a moment that reminded me how deeply everything is connected.

Compact - Silver

Photographer: Johan Letang

Country: France

Title: In Meditation

Shooting location: Tahiti, French Polynesia

Equipment and settings: Canon G7X Mark III, Nauticam housing (F2. 2, 1/1600s, ISO 800)

Photographer's comment: This is my favorite snorkeling spot in Tahiti, a place I return to again and again, never expecting the same encounter twice. That day, the ocean offered me this turtle, which was unusually calm and serene. When she rose to the surface, she didn’t simply take a breath and drift back down to rest on the reef. She stayed there, suspended between the marine world and the air above. Floating effortlessly, she slowly changed her position, adjusting her body as if searching for perfect alignment with her surroundings. Watching her, I had the strange and powerful feeling of being in the presence an animal in meditation. It reminded me why I keep coming back. You can enter the same water dozens of times, yet every immersion is a rediscovery of the marine world and its inhabitants, always offering something new to those willing to pause and observe.

Portfolio - Gold

Photographer: Tom Shlesinger

Country: Israel

Title: Oceans of Life: Coral’s Annual Miracle

Shooting location: Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, Eilat, Israel

Equipment and settings: Sony a1, Sony FE 12–24mm F2. 8, Nauticam housing, Retra Flash Pro Max strobes (F16, 1/60s, ISO 400)

Photographer's comment: In a breathtaking spectacle, thousands of corals spanning vast reef expanses release their reproductive material simultaneously—a fleeting moment that unfolds within minutes, once a year. A vibrant, upside-down snowstorm ensues as billions of colorful eggs and sperm disperse through the currents, converging to create new life. This photographic project, part of an ongoing scientific journey, chronicles the unique reproductive phenomena of corals, shedding light on the intricacies of their underwater world and the challenges they face in an ever-changing environment.

Portfolio - Silver

Photographer: Frank Aron

Country: Germany

Title: Orange, Black and Green: The Colors of Diving in Flooded Slate Mines

Shooting location: Nuttlar, Germany

Equipment and settings: Sony a7C, Sony FE 28mm F2, Nauticam housing, Nauticam WWL-1, Bigblue VL65000P and other video lights (F8, 1/30s, ISO 2500)

Photographer's comment: Orange rusty remains create a pleasing contrast to the greenish/black walls of the flooded slate mines in northern Germany. My goal in this portfolio is to show this color contrast by using powerful video lights. The orange main subjects are in the foreground of the image, near the camera, so that the color is not absorbed by the water. The greenish/black slate walls form the background, thereby underlining the orange color, which sometimes appears golden. The beams of light and shadows create a certain depth in the image while the illuminated diver provides an important sense of scale.

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