Western Australia photographer Brooke Pyke has received international acclaim, taking home the Female Fifty Fathoms award at Oceanographic Magazine’s annual Ocean Photographer of the Year 2022 competition in London.

Based in Exmouth, Brooke was recognised in the prestigious awards thanks to her portfolio of work capturing the incredibly diverse marine life thriving in the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park, including whale sharks, humpback whales, manta rays and dolphins.

The Female Fifty Fathoms category celebrates inspirational women working in ocean photography, an award that Brooke feels very passionate about.

 “I know I was up against some very talented photographers, so this award has been a huge surprise for me,” said Brooke.

“Underwater photography is still very much dominated by men, so it’s great to have an award which celebrates female photographers around the world. I hope these awards will encourage more women, who have a passion for underwater photography to take their work to a new high.”

As a self-taught photographer, Brooke turned her passion of underwater photography into a career, and is now the underwater photographer on board with Live Ningaloo, one of the Exmouth tour operators that provides in-water experiences with whale sharks and humpback whales, as well as snorkelling tours in the pristine waters of Ningaloo Reef.

Another WA photographer Jake Wilton was also recognised as a finalist, taking home third place in the Ocean Portfolio category for his green sea turtle image, which was also captured on Ningaloo Reef.

The overall Ocean Photographer of the Year award winner,  French Polynesia-based Ben Thouard, will travel to Western Australia in 2023 to capture the State’s incredible coastline as part of his prize, with the winner announcement videos all shot on location in Western Australia, and featuring iconic locations such as the Shark Bay World Heritage Area along the Coral Coast and Rottnest Island, off the coast of Perth.

ENDS 

Ocean Photographer of the Year Awards

The Ocean Photographer of the Year has a simple mission: to shine a light on the beauty of the ocean and the threats it faces. The competition has this year once again been produced by Oceanographic Magazine in partnership with Blancpain, Princess Yachts and Tourism Western Australia, and in support of conservation organisation SeaLegacy. Visit www.opy2022.com for more information on the awards.