As part of the 30th Ocean Festival, we invited new, emerging and established underwater photographers to enter our annual UNDERWATER! Photo Competition.

The competition featured amazing images of underwater life at the five Aquatic Reserves on the Northern Beaches.

More than 225 images were submitted this year, twice the number of entries from last year.

The competition’s judges included:

  • Ben Rak, Curator Manly Art Gallery & Museum
  • Bill Gladstone, a marine biologist and Emeritus Professor at the University of Technology Sydney
  • Harriet  Spark, a producer and photographer who specialises in underwater video production.

Overall winner

Torpedo Talia Greis

Talia Greis, Torpedo

Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Photographer's statement – "A giant cuttlefish jets through the shallows of Shelly Beach. A slow shutter speed has been used to achieve a sense of motion, and an almost 'cartoonish' colour code."

Underwater Seascapes (wide angle)

Underwater Seascapes wide angle winner

Winner

Sian Liddy, 42 Wallaby Way

Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Photographer's statement – "A magical winter's morning on the great southern reef with Paddy."

Marine Animal Behaviour

A giant cuttlefish eating a lobster

Winner

Chris Jackson, Expensive taste

Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Photographer's statement – "A back light cavern at golden hour provides an almost romantic, candlelit setting for this giant cuttlefish to enjoy a delicious lobster dinner."

Black and white photo of fish swimming together

Highly Commended

Pete McGee, Organised chaos

Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Photographer's statement – "Juvenile striped catfish huddle together in large synchronisited balls. Hundreds of catfish can form large, tight balls. It's mesmorising watching individuals in constant motion, aware of each other and staying as a tight formation, Regularly a fish panics and breaks ranks, causing temporarly chaos. I wanted to capture the motion of the school as order returns."

Macro Marine Life

Small pyjama squid underwater

Winner

Zachary Hudson, Pyjamas

Aquatic Reserve: North Harbour (Sydney)

Photographer's statement – "This is a small pyjama squid sleekily eyeing the camera. It seems like it is telling me 'please leave me alone, I'm ready for bed'."

Eye of an octupus

Highly Commended

Samuel Scrimshaw, Iris

Aquatic Reserve: North Harbour (Sydney)

Photographer's statement – "One of the many gloomy octopus that call Fairlight home."

Human Connection

Jellyfish in front of a person

Winner

Lauren Elder, Jellyfish Kisses

Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Photographer's statement – "Not everyone loves when Cabbage Tree Bay is visited by jellyfish, but I love them! It's like swimming through soft clouds."

Grey nurse shark

Highly Commended

Joseph Dempsey Turrentine, Hooked

Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Photographer's statement – "This photo of a grey nurse carrying the remains of a fishing encounter reminded me that while some interactions between humans and the natural environment may seem ephemeral, the impacts of those interactions may persist."

Faces from our Five Aquatic Reserves

Torpedo Talia Greis

Winner

Talia Greis, Torpedo

Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Photographer's statement – "A giant cuttlefish jets through the shallows of Shelly Beach. A slow shutter speed has been used to achieve a sense of motion, and an almost 'cartoonish' colour code."

Port Jackson Sharks

Highly Commended

Nicolas Remy, Teeth of the Port Jackson Shark

Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Photographer's statement – "The face of Port Jackson sharks sets them apart from other shark species. They have large nostrils, and a narrow range of pointed teeth, complemented by a range of flat teeth at the back, which allow the shark to hold and crush the shells of molluscs, on which they feed."

Youth

Weedy seadragons

Winner

Jay Christopher, Dragons

Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Photographer's statement – "Weedy Seadragons are masters of disguise.  By using slow shutter speed and motion blur, it separates them from the kelp and you can enjoy their patterns and colours."

Photograph of a feelah

Highly Commended

Jack Fegan, Dancing sea slug

Aquatic Reserve: Long Reef

Photographer's statement – "I love the variety of life that is found in rock pools. It is often the smaller animals that are overlooked that can be the most exciting find. This little fellah looked like something that was dreamed up for a science fiction story."

People's Choice

A turtle surfacing out the water

Winner

Alana Abercrombie, Taking a Breath

Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay

Photographer's statement – "Our resident turtle takes a breath on a beautiful summer day."

Meet the Locals - Marine Life (Reel)

Winner

Rosie Richards, Another world

Videographer's statement – "Highlights of my favourite marine life encounters of Cabbage Tree Bay, including a smack of jellyfish, a green sea turtle, the king of the cuttlefish, a baby port jackson shark, a juvenile grey nurse shark and a friendly blue grouper."

Highly Commended

Lachlan Peknice, Underwater Wonderland

Videographer's statement – "Underwater Wonderland’ highlights the captivating realm beneath the waves at our stunning Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve. By showcasing the harmonious coexistence of surfers, swimmers and marine creatures, my goal is to inspire a deeper connection to our oceans and encourage its protection for generations to come."

Finalists