Hobbyist's 'Seahorse Farewell' Image Tops 2026 Ocean Photography Awards

Key points

• Julien Anton won the overall prize for a monochrome shot of a male seahorse and two juveniles in Moorea, French Polynesia, which the jury described as a 'farewell' scene.
• The competition received more than 15,000 entries, with Anton's image initially winning the Wildlife category before being elevated to the overall title.
• Matty Smith won the Ocean Fine Art category for a tawny nurse shark in the Maldives, while Thomas Pavy won Conservation Hope for a shark population survey using laser-calibrated video photogrammetry.
• British photographer Jenny Stock received the Female Fifty Fathoms Award for an image of a green turtle in French Polynesia, a prize created in 2021 to honor women in ocean photography.
• Anton, who is not a professional photographer, credited local communities in Tahiti and Moorea for their knowledge, noting the difficulty of finding seahorses in the area.

Background

The Ocean Photographer of the Year competition is an annual event co-presented by Oceanographic magazine and the luxury watchmaker Blancpain. In August 2026, our archive noted that finalists for the competition were showcased, highlighting dramatic marine scenes and human impacts on ocean ecosystems. This year's winners were announced in September, following a similar timeline to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year, whose shortlist was also revealed in August 2026.

How outlets are covering it

CNN and Digital Camera World emphasized the emotional impact of Anton's image, with the latter noting the jury fell silent upon viewing it. The Atlantic focused on the breadth of the competition, mentioning over 15,000 entries and highlighting a finalist image of surfers in French Polynesia. Amateur Photographer detailed the technical aspects, noting Anton's use of a Lumix GH7 and SeaFrogs housing, and highlighted the rarity of seahorses in French Polynesia. All sources agreed on the winners but differed in emphasis: CNN and Digital Camera World focused on the 'farewell' narrative, while The Atlantic and Amateur Photographer provided broader context on the competition's scope and technical details.

Why it matters

The award highlights the role of photography in marine conservation, with Anton stating his image aims to bridge science and conservation. The competition's focus on rare species like seahorses in French Polynesia underscores the fragility of ocean ecosystems and the importance of documenting them for public awareness.

What to watch

The winning images will likely be exhibited or published in Oceanographic magazine, with the competition's organizers, Oceanographic and Blancpain, potentially using the images for conservation campaigns. Anton's image may be featured in educational materials or exhibitions to promote marine conservation.