20 underwater photos that illuminate creatures dwelling in the dark depths

Underwater photography is no easy feat, especially in the dark.

But the photographers featured in the annual Underwater Photographer of the Year competition manage to illuminate the dark depths, uncovering just a skerrick of the creatures that dwell beneath the surface — one marine scientists admit we've "barely scratched."

The UK-based competition has celebrated underwater photography since 1965, attracting photographers from all over the globe. There are 13 categories in the competition including macro, wide angle, portrait, behaviour, marine conservation, and wreck photography, and there are four that are specifically dedicated to British waters.

American photographer Renee Capozzola took the Underwater Photographer of the Year title for her stunning image "Shark's Skylight," which was shot in August 2020 on the island of Moorea, French Polynesia.

"In French Polynesia there is strong legal protection for sharks, allowing them to thrive and balance the marine ecosystem," Capozzola's statement reads. "I spent several evenings in the shallows at sunset, hoping to capture something unique...Since many shark species are threatened with extinction, it is my hope that images of these beautiful animals will help promote their conservation."

Here's the winning photo below, along with some of the other winning and runner-up photos that we absolutely love. Each will remind you of exactly what we have to lose if we don't tackle climate change immediately, as oceans take significant strain from an unrelentingly warming planet.

Check out the website if you'd like to learn more about the stories behind the photos.