Smithsonian Magazine · People & society

Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026 Winners Announced

The Ocean Photographer of the Year contest has revealed its 2026 winners, showcasing the beauty and challenges facing marine life. Julien Anton's image of a father seahorse with his young won the overall grand prize.

Anton's winning black-and-white photograph, taken in French Polynesia, captures a poignant moment between an adult male seahorse and newly born juveniles. Seahorses are rare in the region, making the shot particularly challenging to capture. The image also won the wildlife category.

The contest, presented by Oceanographic magazine and Blancpain, aims to highlight the ocean's beauty and the dangers it faces. A panel of experts selected winners across nine categories.

Other category winners include Mitsuna Kawai for 'Ocean Unseen: Hidden Worlds' featuring a ribbonfish and salps in Japan. Rui Duarte won 'Human Connection' for a photo of people assisting a stranded pilot whale in Cape Verde.

Gergo Rugli's 'Adventure' category win features surfers and dolphins sharing space at Tamarama Beach, Australia. James Ferrara's 'Conservation Impact' photo shows numerous divers around a whale shark in the Maldives, highlighting tourism's effect on wildlife.

Thomas Pavy's 'Conservation Hope' captures researchers measuring a great hammerhead shark in French Polynesia. Matty Smith's 'Fine Art' award-winning image is of a tawny nurse shark in the Maldives.

Jenny Stock received the 'Female Fifty Fathoms Award' for her collection of ocean photographs, including a portrait of a humpback whale and calf in Tonga. Miguel Serrano Ruiz won 'Portfolio' for his documentation of olive ridley sea turtles and conservation efforts in Mexico.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.