Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025

Alex Mustard · Issue 143, Mar/Apr 2025 · pp. 22–36

Products mentioned: Nikon Z7 II, Isotta housing, Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S, Canon EOS R7, Marelux MX-R7, Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM, AOI UCL-90PRO wet lens, Backscatter MF-1, Backscatter snoot OS-1, Nikon Z9, Nauticam Z9 housing, 8-15mm fisheye lens, Nikon D850, Nauticam NA D850, AF Nikkor 28-70mm f3.5-4.5D, Nauticam WACP-1, INON Z330 strobe, Nikon Z8, Nauticam NA-Z8, Nikkor 8-15mm fisheye

UPY 2025 winner! by Alex Mustard Spanish photographer Alvaro Herrero is named Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025, his photograph ‘Radiant Bond’, which won the Wide Angle Category, shows the special relationship between a mother humpback whale and her new-born calf. The photo was taken in French Polynesia and triumphed over 6750 underwater pictures entered by underwater photographers from around the world. The contest has 13 categories, testing photographers with themes such as Macro, Wide Angle, Behaviour and Wreck photography, and includes three categories for photos taken specifically in British waters. The winners were announced in an award ceremony in central London, hosted by The Crown Estate. This year’s judges were experienced underwater photographers Peter Rowlands, Tobias Friedrich and Dr Alexander Mustard MBE. www.underwaterphotographeroftheyear.com ©Alvaro Herrero (Mekan…