Press Release
Received from: Peter Rowlands | Press Officer, Underwater Photographer of the Year Competition

Humpback Mother and Calf Win Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025

Underwater Photographer of the Year

The photo was taken in French Polynesia and triumphed over 6750 underwater pictures entered by underwater photographers from around the world. 

“The mother is accompanying her calf to the surface, because the baby is still so small and clumsy,” explained Herrero. “The calf is releasing a few bubbles underwater showing it is still learning to hold its breath properly. For me, this photo really shows a mother’s love and communicates the beauty and fragility of life in our ocean.”

X-RAY MAGAZINE FEATURE

White as a Design Element in UW Images: Contributors’ Picks

We asked our contributors to share their favorite underwater images that showcase white as a design element, and they returned with a sublime collection of macro to wide-angle shots featuring a variety of marine life and underwater seascapes,from reefs to wrecks to scenes under the ice.

Words:
X-Ray Mag Contributors
Images:
X-Ray Mag Contributors
➄ Download the full article as pdf âŹ…ïžŽ
Photo & Video

(To see all the images in the article, scroll down to the end and download the PDF.)

Here, X-Ray Mag contributors share their chosen images from the tropical waters of Papua New Guinea, Yap, the Philippines, Indonesia, the Egyptian Red Sea, the Bahamas and Mexico to the subtropical and temperate waters of South Africa, the US East Coast, and Vancouver and Newfoundland in Canada.

A Visual Anchor

Text and photos by Lureen Ferretti

Backscatter Xterminator

I was amazed when all the little backscatter dots that ruined my image disappeared with a single click. Backscatter Xterminator is an excellent gift for underwater photographers.

Med backscatter
BackscatterXterminator

Every underwater photographer has experienced the frustration: you've captured a perfect shot, perhaps one you've been planning for, only to find it marred by backscatter. The hours spent in Photoshop or Lightroom, painstakingly removing hundreds of these pesky dots, often end in dissatisfaction.

Thankfully, those days are over. Erin Quigley, a renowned American underwater photographer and image editing expert, has developed a solution: the Backscatter Xterminator Photoshop plugin. This tool, designed for ease of use, is a game-changer in the world of underwater photography.

Press Release
Received from: Underwater Photography Guide

13th Annual Ocean Art Underwater Photo Contest Winners Announced

UWPhotographyGuide

The Ocean Art Underwater Photography Competition, widely regarded as the pinnacle of achievement for underwater photographers, has revealed its winners for 2024. 

With record-breaking participation from over 90 countries, the competition set a new standard for creativity and technical excellence. From mesmerizing macro shots of marine birth to dramatic wide-angle scenes of cenotes and reefscapes, the winning photographs highlight the beauty, fragility, and diversity of underwater ecosystems while inspiring global conservation efforts.

Press Release
Received from: Ian Ian Bongso-Seldrup | DivePhotoGuide

ADEX Voice of the Ocean 2025 Competition Launched

DivePhotoGuide

Voice of the Ocean is the photo, video and art competition associated with the flagship Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) in Singapore, the largest and longest-running dive show in Asia. 

Held from April 4 to 6, 2025, ADEX Ocean FesAval 2025 culminates in a capAvaAng live judging event, with a prestigious jury choosing the winners and runners-up in the competition categories as well as the “Best of Show” overall winner.

X-RAY MAGAZINE FEATURE

Romanticism & Romantic Elements in UW Images: Contributors’ Picks

We asked our contributors to share their favorite underwater images that showcase Romanticism and romantic elements or symbolism, and they came back with a beautiful collection of macro and wide-angle shots featuring a variety of marine life and underwater scenery, including the Dark Romanticism of mysterious caves and moody wrecks.

Words:
X-Ray Mag Contributors
Images:
X-Ray Mag Contributors
➄ Download the full article as pdf âŹ…ïžŽ
Photo & Video

(To all the images in the feature, scroll down to the end and download the PDF.)

Here, X-Ray Mag contributors share their chosen images from the tropical waters of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Indonesia, the Egyptian Red Sea, Saba, the Bahamas and Mexico to the subtropical and temperate waters of Florida, South Africa and British Columbia, Canada.

Capturing Romance Beneath the Waves 

Text by Kate Jonker, photos by Kate and Deon Jonker

X-RAY MAGAZINE FEATURE

Gem Tones in UW Images: Contributors’ Picks

We asked our contributors to share their favorite underwater images with gem tones of ruby red, emerald green, sapphire blue, amethyst purple, amber topaz or sparkly diamond, and they came back with a brilliant selection of macro and wide-angle shots featuring a diverse range of marine species and underwater scenes.

Words:
X-Ray Mag Contributors
Images:
X-Ray Mag Contributors
➄ Download the full article as pdf âŹ…ïžŽ
Photo & Video

Here, X-Ray Mag contributors share their chosen images from the tropical waters of Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Yap, the Philippines, Indonesia, Saba and St. Kitts to the subtropical and temperate waters of the US East Coast, British Columbia, Canada and South Africa.

(To see all the images in the article, please scroll down to the end and download the PDF.)

The Color of Gems

Text and photos by Anita George-Ares, PhD

Press Release
Received from: Go Ask Erin

Backscatter Xterminator Editing Tool Launches

Go Ask Erin

RC Astro and Go Ask Erin are thrilled to unveil Backscatter Xterminator (BSXT), a game-changing Photoshop plugin that eliminates backscatter from underwater photos with a single miraculous click.

A breakthrough for underwater photographers

Backscatter, the colloquial term for particulate matter suspended in water, has long been the bane of underwater photographers. Although many editing techniques exist to get rid of goo in underwater photos, nothing comes within light years of BSXT’s superpowers. 

Press Release
Received from: Venessa Lauweiram | Sales and Marketing Manager | Yap Visitors Bureau

Another Successful MantaFest Hosted on Yap

Visit Yap

(November 6, 2024 – Yap Visitors Bureau, Yap, FSM): The 17th annual MantaFest, hosted by the Manta Ray Bay Resort & Yap Divers, has once again captivated underwater photographers, divers, and ocean enthusiasts from around the world. The event saw several returning participants, a testament to MantaFest’s enduring appeal as one of the Pacific’s premier dive photography events. 

X-RAY MAGAZINE FEATURE

Story Behind the Picture: Whale Whispers

Have you ever wondered how an underwater photographer got an astounding, sublime or compelling shot? In this new series, Story Behind the Picture, explorer and wildlife photographer Amos Nachoum shares insights about one of his captivating photos in each segment.

Words:
Amos Nachoum
Images:
Amos Nachoum
➄ Download the full article as pdf âŹ…ïžŽ
Photo & Video

As the boat crew shouted eagerly, I adjusted my mask and fins and plunged into the warm, crystal-clear waters off Dominica. Moments after surfacing, I lifted my head to locate the approaching sperm whales. Having detected their clicking communications through a hydrophone, the skipper signaled that they were near. The crew’s shouts intensified, directing me to the left as I submerged into a world transformed by the rhythmic clicks of these majestic creatures.

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