Graduate wins Young Ocean Photographer of the Year award
17 September 2024
Marine & Natural History Photography BA graduate Jacob Guy has won the Young Ocean Photographer of the Year Award for his striking image of an algae octopus.
The photo, featuring an intense look from the creature’s mystical yellow eyes, was captured in North Sulawesi during one of Jacob’s trips to Indonesia. He used ultraviolet light to capture the octopus’s fluorescence in a stunning image that required minimal editing.
The Ocean Photographer of the Year (OPOTY) awards are run by Oceanographic magazine and celebrate images from all disciplines and experience levels. Every year, 118 images are shortlisted before a winner is selected in each of the nine categories.
We caught up with Jacob between dives from a boat he’s living on in Indonesia.
Talk us through your trip to Indonesia and when you caught the winning shot.
This image was captured at the very end of my first trip to Indonesia, where I was volunteering at a dive resort. I was tasked with shooting images and videos of the unique marine life to help with marketing for the resort and wider area. After becoming familiar with the location, I wanted to capture something that not many people had seen before. After speaking to some local dive guides, I learnt that certain cephalopods fluoresce – something I had never encountered as a wildlife photographer.
Is this the biggest accolade you’ve received for your work?
I was lucky enough to win a similar category in the British Wildlife Photography Awards during my first year of studying at Falmouth. My skills have massively improved since then, and this is the first year I've entered a major competition feeling more confident in my skills.. I love showcasing the amazing marine life that lives beneath the waves, and it felt great knowing one of my favourite images is also appreciated by others
When did you start getting interested in photography?
I developed a real passion for surf photography when I was 16. I explored a lot of other genres of photography, including street, 35mm, landscape, astro, portraiture, and sport, but somehow, I always came back to shooting water in one way or another.
"If you're interested in exploring ways to make a difference in the protection of our natural world, then look further into this course"
- Jacob Guy
What is the most important thing you learnt on the course?
Understanding the importance of networking in the industry you want to work in has helped me greatly; knowing the best way to approach other professionals in the field is very important. I also learnt that I don’t have the patience for bird photography!
Who would you recommend the course to?
The course itself is very niche and caters well to a select few who have a desire to help share the stories of the natural world. It teaches you how to capture these stories using different techniques and mediums. If you're interested in exploring ways to make a difference in the protection of our natural world, then look further into this course; everyone is very friendly and happy to share their experiences and knowledge, so start reaching out!
What are you up to now, and what are your future plans?
I'm currently working on broadening my underwater video portfolio with a trip across Indonesia on a liveaboard. From there, I plan to run workshops, shoot further nature documentaries, and dive as much as I can!
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