Students impress industry judges at underwater photography Red Sea exhibition

In December 2023, a group of Marine & Natural History Photography BA students embarked on an underwater photography trip to the Red Sea. From dolphins and turtles to sharks and rare ‘Shaun the Sheep’ nudibranchs, the students captured a wealth of wildlife on camera, and their final images impressed industry experts at last month’s exhibition.  

The Red Sea diving trip offers students a unique opportunity to enhance their underwater photography skills and forge lasting connections. During the trip, practical learning was enriched by workshops, peer critiques and insightful guidance from our award-winning staff, offering opportunities to refine and elevate their craft. 

The students were also joined by Dr Alex Tattersall, from Nauticam UK, and Peter Rowlands, from Underwater Photography Magazine and Magic Filters, who provided guest lectures and supported students in developing their practice. 

Reflecting on the trip, Marine & Natural History Photography BA lecturer Gina Goodman said: “Egypt is always a special trip for so many reasons: the wildlife, the setting, the people, but mainly because during those two weeks we get to bear witness to those special photographic moments. Not just the ones where we encounter big awe-inspiring wildlife, but the smaller moments, when students get out of the water with wide smiles and you know that something has just clicked for them. That after that one dive they suddenly have a grasp on a principal they didn't quite have the hour before. It’s an incredible, wonderful moment to be a part of. It's the start of a career.” 

Upon returning to the UK, the students got to work preparing for the Red Sea exhibition, which has become a notable date on the local calendar, drawing attendees from both the dive and photography industries across Cornwall. This year, the photography competition returned with even greater support and sponsorship from brands including Finisterre, Fouth Element, Nauticam UK, Magic Filters and Seaways Diving.

The Wide Angle category, sponsored by Fourth Element and judged by Rannvá Jørmundsson and Alex Griffin, was won by Ben Lindberg. Connor McGuiness-Dean came out on top in the Macro category, which was sponsored by Dr Alex Tattersall of Nauticam UK and judged by Shannon Moran. Finisterre sponsored the Imagination category, with Abbi Hughes selecting Flora Tomlinson-Pilley as the winner. And the Most Promising award, sponsored by Magic Filters and judged by Doug Anderson, went to Victoria Ward.  

A new award was also introduced this year to recognise skills, dedication and teamwork. The Outstanding Talent and Teaching Award (OTTA) was won by Morgan Osman and sponsored by Seaways Diving.