Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026, MATSMI12 - Oceanographic

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Finalist Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Matty Smith Falkland Islands

52°25'24.6"S 59°05'00.2"W

Southern elephant seal pups explore shallow rock pools on Sea Lion Island in the Falkland Islands, testing their first movements in the water after being weaned by their mothers. These young seals must quickly learn to swim and survive independently. As they climb over one another and investigate their surroundings, this scene captures a key moment in their journey from land-bound pups to ocean explorers.

BEHIND THE LENS

Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026, MATSMI12

Matty Smith United Kingdom (UK)

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ABOUT THE IMAGE

  • Coastal walk-in
  • Nikon Z9, Nikkor 14-30mm F4 S lens, Aquatica Digital housing, Matty Smith Dome Port, Ikelite DS230 Strobes
  • ISO200, F/16,1/60s

Matty Smith is an internationally acclaimed ocean and underwater photographer whose award-winning images reveal the beauty, mystery and fragility of the natural world. Originally from the UK and now based in Australia, he has spent decades documenting marine wildlife, from tropical reefs to the icy waters of Antarctica. His work has been featured by the BBC, National Geographic and leading international publications, and exhibited worldwide. A Nikon Australia and Aquatica ambassador, Matty is passionate about inspiring ocean conservation through powerful visual storytelling, while leading immersive photography expeditions that connect people with some of the planet's most extraordinary marine environments.

MORE IMAGES BY Matty Smith

Conservation (Hope)Photographer of the Year

2024 Sydney, Australia

Ocean Conservation (Hope) Photographer of the Year 2024, MATSMI5

Ocean Portfolio Award

2022 Australia

Ocean Portfolio Award 2022, Matty Smith

Collective Portfolio Award

2021 Australia

Ocean Portfolio Award, runner-up, Matty Smith

ExplorationPhotographer of the Year

2021 Australia

2021 EPoY finalist, Matty Smith

ExplorationPhotographer of the Year

2021 Australia

2021 EPoY third place, Matty Smith

The OceanPhotographer of the Year

2021 Papua New Guinea

2021 OPoY third place, Matty Smith

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