Winners Gallery
Finalist Conservation Photographer of the Year
Ron Watkins United States
Survivor. A blue shark clearly displays two hooks protruding from its mouth, two lucky escapes. Photographed off the coast of Rhode Island, photographer Ron Watkins says, “I’d dived with blue sharks off the coast of Southern California in similar conditions, but none ever had hooks like this shark”.
BEHIND THE LENS
Ron Watkins United States (US)
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Camera: Nikon D850
- Nauticam housing and Sea&Sea YS-250 strobes
- Taken while snorkelling
- Choppy conditions, mid-morning
Ron is a photographer, writer and photography instructor specialising in the underwater world. With his photography, he tries to capture people’s attention and educate them about an unfamiliar species, the important role a species plays, the challenges that it may be facing or raise awareness of the fragile ecosystems that all life depends on. He is a volunteer Shark Ambassador for Sharks4Kids, which focuses on creating the world’s next generation of shark advocates. Ron has been an accomplished award-winning photographer for more than 20 years, winning awards in the prestigious Nature’s Best International Awards, Underwater Photographer of the Year, Beneath the Sea and The World Shootout. His imagery and stories have been featured internationally in print and online publications. Ron and his wife Manomi call New Hope, PA home.
MORE IMAGES BY Ron Watkins
Conservation (Hope)Photographer of the Year
2022 United States
Reconnect. Immerse yourself. Be inspired.
Enjoy the vibrancy, beauty and impact of each year's finalist photography, celebrated in our Ocean Photographer of the Year coffee table book collection.
