This year was a very exciting time for time for underwater photographers with a number of great new competitions available to enter. An Taisce’s annual Love Your Coast Photography Competition have introduced a dedicated ‘Underwater’ category providing an excellent opportunity for divers and snorkelers to take part.

Winners and shortlisted candidates in the Love Your Coast Photography Competition ‘Underwater’ category. L-R: Thomas Moore, Damien McGuirk, John Collins, Derek Bolton, Nigel Motyer, Maja Stankovski & Andy Keegan.

The quality of underwater images has increased so much over the years it is becoming increasingly difficult for judges to pick the winners. There are courses in Underwater Photography offered by the Irish Underwater Council along with workshops and talks held in various locations culminating with the ever growing annual Underwater Photography talks held at  Dive Ireland International Expo held in March each year. Combined with the increasing availability of top quality underwater photography equipment this has led to increasing numbers of people capturing amazing images of the wonderful life beneath the surface.

The Love Your Coast Photography Competition winners were announced last night (15th Oct) in Dublin. Well done to everyone who took part, were shortlisted and who won prizes. All images are available to view on the website here:  http://cleancoasts.org/our-initiatives/love-your-coast-photography/

The winners in the Underwater category were:-

1st – Nigel Moyter (seal)

Other categories where divers won were