Underwater Photographer of the Year 2023

Alex Mustard · Issue 131, Mar/Apr 2023 · pp. 24–28

Products mentioned: Nikon D850, Nauticam D850, Nikon 8-15mm fisheye, Kenko 1.4x teleconverter, Inon Z330, Sony A7Riii, Nauticam NA-A7Riii, Sony 28-60mm, Nauticam WACP-1, Sony A6400, Fantasea FA6400, Sony 16-50mm, Olympus OM-D E-M1, Aquatica A-EM1, Panasonic 8mm fisheye, Sea & Sea YD-D1, Nikon D500, Isotta D500, Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6

have also been killed for use as fish bait, drowned in gill nets or poisoned by mercury pollution. I fear that one day botos will truly become no more than mythical creatures.” Chair of the competition judges, Alex Mustard, commented, “at first glance simple, then simply perfect. In dark, tannic waters, Kat has created a striking composition capturing this rarely photographed and endangered species at the perfect moment. This is by far the best image we’ve ever seen of this species, whose numbers are declining at an alarming rate and whose IUCN’s Red List status was worryingly increased to Endangered in 2019.” “It is appropriate that the Amazon, as the world’s mightiest river, has produced our overall winner,” commented judge Mustard. “The Underwater Photographer of the Year contest aims to celebrate underwater photography in all its diversity and we are delighted that this year’s awarde…