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3rd place The Ocean Photographer of the Year

Matty Smith Papua New Guinea

2°39'52.0"S 150°43'56.1"E

A Hawksbill turtle hatchling, just 3.5cm long, takes its first swim. “This turtle had emerged from an egg just minutes earlier with approximately 100 of its siblings,” says photographer Matty Smith. “They quickly made their way across the sand and into the ocean to disperse as rapidly as they could and avoid predation from birds and fish. I had to work quickly for this shot.”

BEHIND THE LENS

2021 OPoY third place, Matty Smith

Matty Smith United Kingdom (UK)

ABOUT THE IMAGE

  • Late evening
  • Slight wind
  • Sunny conditions
  • Excellent underwater visibility

Matty Smith is an internationally-acclaimed award-winning photographer. He is based in Australia, having emigrated from the UK in 2007. "I have the worlds biggest playground at my feet, the Pacific Ocean," he says. "And I have truly fallen in love with it."

MORE IMAGES BY Matty Smith