As part of Ocean Festival 2022, we invited new, emerging and established underwater photographers to enter our annual UNDERWATER! 2022 photo competition.
We are pleased to announce our co-sponsor of this event is NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Prize-winning categories
Overall Winner
Chad Barlow, The Schooled Vortex
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay
Artist statement - The inner state of harmony which conveniently aligns to the external chaos. It’s about realising that it starts within the heart to prosper and drive forward what really matters, when the chaos has transitioned to bliss you know you’re home.
Highly Commended
Rosie Richards, Invasion
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay
Artist statement - Under an ominously dark sky, 'Invasion' captures one of thousands of jelly blubbers that floated into Cabbage Tree Bay after an El Nina induced storm.
Underwater Seascapes (Wide Angle)
Patrick Burke, Forest of Light
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay
Artist statement - My life revolves around the ocean and photography for me, is a medium I can use to share my joy and love of the ocean with others.
Marine Animal Behaviour
Rowan Dear, Shelly Jelly
Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay
Artist statement - Having missed the jellyfish invasion of 2021, I was so glad that they came back to the bay this year and I got to spend a few afternoons in the sunshine shooting them, and all the stings were worth it!
Macro Marine Life
James van den Broek, Bennett's Hypselodoris
Aquatic Reserve: North Harbour
Artist statement - I have always held a special place in my heart for the wonderful world of nudibranchs. The insane multitudes of designs and hyper-colours are a reminder of just how different the underwater world is to our own.
Faces of Marine Reserves
Xina Hudson, Symbiosis: Sharing this Unique Underwater World Together
Artist statement - Aquatic Reserve: Cabbage Tree Bay
Artist statement - My relationship with the ocean and swimming is symbiotic. No two ocean swims are the same as you will always come across something unique to share with your swim buddies, creating memories to treasure for a lifetime.
Youth (16 - 24 Years) and People's Choice
Jack Fegan, Blue Dragon- an underwater beauty
Aquatic Reserve: Long Reef
Artist statement - I am amazed that these beautiful creatures are often unseen. I love their mythical look and am intrigued by their interactions when observing them in the water. I feel privileged to observe and photograph them in their natural habitat.
Entries