Ocean Photographer of the Year
Banner Image Credit: Romain Barats
Showcasing the beauty, diversity and fragility of our marine ecosystems, the Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibition is housed in the ship’s Dry Dock – the heart of the charity’s conservation work. Bristol Dockyards is proud to be among the first venues in Europe to host this internationally renowned exhibition, celebrating our oceans while calling for urgent action to protect them.
Comprising over 100 photographs, the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025 collection features winning and finalist entries from all corners of the globe, including grand title winner Yury Ivanov who is based in Indonesia. His striking photograph of two amphipods – commonly referred to as “ladybugs of the sea”, and measuring just 3mm in length – resting on a coral captured the attention of the panel due to the vivid colour and symmetry on display, and in recognition of the patience and skill required to capture such an image.
Yury’s grand title-winning photo will be displayed under the “glass sea” of the SS Great Britain, as part of an exhibition. Running until 28 June, this rich display takes visitors on a journey from the historic Dry Dock to hidden habitats – revealing microscopic creatures and vast seascapes that have gone unseen from the human eye, until now.
10am - 5pm
Ocean Photographer of the Year is co-presented by Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain.
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Categories
This exhibition presents a range of rare and compelling perspectives from the deep sea — moments only a few have been fortunate enough to witness. The categories explore themes of Human Connection, Hope, Adventure, Wildlife, Young Photographers and Impact, taking visitors on a journey from exhilarating encounters alongside extraordinary marine life to dreamlike scenes so candid they feel almost unreal. To give a sense of the exhibition’s scope, explore a selection of the winning and finalist works below.
Overall Winner
Credit: Yury Ivanov | Indonesia | Two amphipods from the Cyproideidae family, each only measuring around 3 millimetres in body length, rest on a coral. Commonly called ‘ladybugs of the sea’, these tiny creatures display striking colouration and symmetry.
Female Fifty Fathoms
Credit: Jialing Cai | Philippines | Juvenile wunderpus octopus surrounded by small zooplankton.
Impact
Credit: Daniel Flormann | Indonesia | Dead sharks in an anchovy fishing net.
Hope
Credit: László Földi | Philippines | A translucent squid egg, measuring only two or three centimetres in diameter.
Young
Credit: Aaron Sanders | UK | Under the cover of night, two tiny bobtail squid engage in an intimate display.
Adventure
Human Connection
Portfolio
