15 breathtaking images from the Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025 awards

Capturing strong images of these fish in the wild is a challenging task due to their high-speed attacks on sardines and mackerels, making it extremely difficult to photograph this behavior. Autumn Martin, with the support of her husband, Adam Martin, and their guides, discovered a passion for macro photography while aiming to capture a tiny nudibranch in focus. The thrill of achieving a ‘good’ shot was both challenging and exhilarating, leading her to explore other subjects like Shaun the Sheep nudibranchs. As she delved deeper into the world of underwater macro photography, she decided to push her skills further by incorporating the SMC lens. After several dives, she finally encountered the perfect subject and, with patience and determination, captured its beauty through multiple shots. This experience ignited her love for underwater macro photography, teaching her valuable lessons in persistence and patience. She is proud to have captured something truly special and is excited to continue her journey in this captivating field.

Credit: Autumn Martin/UPY 2025

In another stunning image, Hussain Aga Khan captures the beauty of a boto, a type of Amazon river dolphin, in the waters of Manaus, Brazil. The silhouette of the dolphin against the backdrop of sunlight filtering through the forest canopy creates a mesmerizing scene. The Coca-Cola-colored waters of Rio Negro provide a unique setting for the photograph, highlighting the endangered status of these majestic creatures. The image serves as a reminder of the threats faced by botos, such as climate change and entanglement in nets.

Credit: Hussain Aga Khan/UPY 2025

Lorincz Ferenc Lorinc’s photograph titled “The Mach” captures a fascinating interaction between trout and salmon in an Austrian mountain lake. The image showcases the dynamic relationship between these two different fish species, offering a glimpse into their natural behavior. Taken at Lake Grüblsee, Austria, at an altitude of 1160 meters, the photograph provides a captivating insight into the underwater world of these aquatic creatures.

Credit: Lorincz Ferenc Lorinc/UPY 2025

Alex Dawson’s winning photograph, “Deep wreck,” showcases a sunken ship resting on the reef at a depth of 104 meters. The wreck’s placement between the reef wall and a small reef creates a unique swim-through experience, adding an element of intrigue to the image. Dawson’s dedication to capturing this shot, with 25 minutes of bottom time and extensive decompression, highlights the effort and skill required in underwater photography.

Credit: Alex Dawson/UPY 2025

James Lynott’s image, “Fluo Spiny Squat Lobster,” captures the vibrant fluorescence of a spiny squat lobster during a night dive in Inveraray, Loch Fyne. The photograph showcases the unique characteristics of these crustaceans, known for their bright fluorescence under specific lighting conditions. Lynott’s use of excitation filters and barrier filters enhances the fluorescence, creating a visually striking composition.

Credit: James Lynott/UPY 2025 Please rephrase this statement. Please rewrite this sentence. Can you please rewrite this for me? Please rewrite this sentence.