Australian Photographer Wins Underwater Photographer of the Year 2026 with Striking Elephant Seal Pup Portrait

Australian photographer Matty Smith has been awarded the title of Underwater Photographer of the Year 2026 for his captivating image, “Rockpool Rookies,” a split-level portrait of two Southern elephant seal pups in the Falkland Islands. The winning photograph was announced on February 26, 2026, and selected from over 7,900 entries from photographers worldwide.

Capturing a Defining Moment

Smith’s winning image depicts the pups awkwardly learning to swim in a shallow rockpool on Sealion Island, with a vibrant sunset illuminating the sky above. He described the moment as the “defining moment of the long trip,” having observed dozens of pups clumsily navigating the rockpools after their mothers abandoned them ashore [Source: PhotoWorkout]. To achieve the unique over-under perspective, Smith utilized a custom-built dome housing.

A Testament to Resilience

Dr. Alex Mustard, chair of the judging panel and a marine ecologist, highlighted the significance of the image, noting the elephant seals’ journey between land and sea and their remarkable recovery from near extinction. He explained that the species was once hunted to the brink for their oil-rich blubber, used for fuel and margarine, but conservation efforts have allowed their population to rebound over the past century [Source: DeeperBlue]. Mustard described the photograph as “a beautiful and hopeful” representation of this resilience.

Other Notable Winners

The Underwater Photographer of the Year 2026 competition recognized excellence across various categories. Other winning images included:

• Wide Angle: A juvenile sperm whale interacting with a photographer.
• Macro: A commensal shrimp within a spirally whip coral.
• Wrecks: The IJN Nagato, a Japanese battleship sunk during World War II, resting on Bikini Atoll.
• Behaviour: Clownfish eggs hatching under parental watch.
• Coral Reefs: A rare image of coral reproduction.
• Black and White: A lone wrasse in a coral window off Sado Island, Japan.
• Up and Coming: A leopard seal lunging towards the camera in Antarctica.
• Compact: A freshwater crayfish photographed with a Sony RX100 M7.
• Smartphone: A frogfish lying in wait for prey.
• Marine Conservation: An image depicting the annual pilot whale hunt in the Faroe Islands.

About the Underwater Photographer of the Year Competition

The Underwater Photographer of the Year (UPY) competition, based in the U.K., aims to promote the art of underwater photography and showcase the beauty and fragility of marine ecosystems [Source: PetaPixel]. The full collection of winning and commended images can be viewed on the official UPY website.