The OPY 2022 contest is a celebration of our beautiful blue planet, as well as a platform to highlight the many plights it is facing.
Photographers of all disciplines and experience levels – amateurs and professionals alike – are invited to submit their most impactful imagery to be judged by a panel of some of the world’s leading underwater photographers, including International Photography Hall of Fame inductee Paul Nicklen, founder of the International League of Conservation Photographers, Cristina Mittermeier, expedition director Andy Mann and Emmy Award-winning cinematographer Shawn Heinrichs. New on this year’s panel are photographer and journalist David Doubilet and deputy director of photography at National Geographic, Sadie Quarrier.
A total of nine categories will be judged, with the overall winner crowned the Ocean Photographer of the Year™ in September this year.
You can enter your images to one or more of the following OPY 2022 categories: Ocean Conservation Photographer of the Year (Hope), Ocean Conservation Photographer of the Year (Impact), Ocean Adventure Photographer of the Year,
Ocean Wildlife Photographer of the Year,
Ocean Fine Art Photographer of the Year,
The Ocean Portfolio Award,
Young Ocean Photographer of the Year,
and The Human Connection Award: People And Planet Ocean.
Additionally, the Female Fifty Fathoms Award, sponsored by Blancpain, celebrates inspirational women in ocean photography. You can nominate your favourite female photographer here for free.
It costs 10£ per category to enter and 100% of entry fees are donated to our charity partner SeaLegacy to aid their important ocean conservation work.
For more information on the judges, categories and the entry process, click here.
Or if you’re ready to submit your images, click here. You have until 30 June to do so.
Good luck! We can’t wait to see your images!
Photography courtesy of Sebastien Pontoizeau & Rodrigo Thome, finalists in the 2021 Ocean Adventure Photographer of the Year category.
