Ocean Photography Exhibition Makes UK Debut at Historic Dockyard Chatham
A breathtaking photographic exhibition that captures life in and under the ocean will make its UK premiere at The Historic Dockyard Chatham. The exhibition is scheduled to run from March 28 to August 31, offering visitors a profound look into marine ecosystems through 116 award-winning images.
These powerful works are drawn from more than 15,000 entries worldwide, representing the best of the Ocean Photographer of the Year competition, one of the most prestigious awards in ocean photography. The exhibition brings together acclaimed photographers from across the globe, taking viewers on a journey beneath the waves.
Showcasing Marine Beauty and Threats
The images range from intimate encounters with microscopic marine life, such as seahorses measuring just 1.5cm, to epic wildlife moments featuring sharks and whales. They also include stark documentation of climate change, coral bleaching, and human impact, revealing an ocean of extraordinary beauty and profound vulnerability.
Henley Spiers, an underwater wildlife photographer, commented on the exhibition's dual focus. He said, "One of the things Ocean Photographer of the Year does exceptionally well is showcase both the wonder of the ocean and the threats it faces. Photography allows people to emotionally connect with the ocean first, and once they feel that connection, they start to care."
Among the most confronting works is Spiers' image from the Conservation (Impact) category, which depicts the body of a green turtle killed by a boat strike, now sheltering juvenile fish beneath its shell. Spiers added, "These images aren't showing an alien world. They show a living one that's complex, vulnerable and surprisingly relatable."
Scientific and Emotional Insights
At the heart of the exhibition is the work of Dr Richard Smith, a British marine biologist, conservationist, and award-winning underwater photographer. Dr Smith is the world's leading authority on pygmy seahorses, having earned his PhD in 2011 as the first scientist to conduct biological research focused entirely on these tiny fish.
He described the challenge of photographing such small subjects, saying, "It's the equivalent of looking for a needle in a haystack. Sometimes you're searching for an animal that's been described scientifically but never photographed alive. The ocean is enormous, and so much of it remains unexplored."
Dr Smith's photography documents both discovery and loss. One featured image was taken during a six-week expedition to Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, where he returned after 20 years expecting thriving reefs but encountered severe coral bleaching. He explained, "We rarely consider how bleaching devastates species that depend entirely on coral habitats, but this image shows an endemic Melanesian Blue Devil damselfish living around a small coral colony that had bleached but was still alive. It's a beautiful fish persisting amid environmental catastrophe - a story shared by countless species worldwide."
Dynamic Contributions from Leading Photographers
The exhibition also features dynamic work by Jenny Stock, a documentary maker and underwater photographer whose images have appeared in National Geographic and BBC. In 2024, Stock became the first and only woman on record to win British Underwater Photographer of the Year.
Her featured image, captured at Puri Pinnacle in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, immerses viewers in an underwater chase as millions of anchovies surge past, pursued by hunting jacks. Stock said, "Seconds after descending, I saw this glittering wall of anchovies race over me - they passed barely a foot from me, the energy was wild, frantic, exhilarating. These fish were clearly swimming for their lives."
Reflecting on the exhibition's global reach, she added, "It's fantastic to know my image has been seen in Australia and South Africa and is now coming to the UK. This photograph shows a particularly healthy reef filled with fish, and I hope when people see it, they understand what we still have, and what we need to protect. I hope people leave energised and inspired and wanting to protect these fascinating creatures and environments."
Venue and Visitor Information
Paul Barnard, COO at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, expressed excitement about hosting the exhibition. He said, "We are very excited to be hosting Ocean Photographer of the Year for the very first time in the UK here at The Historic Dockyard Chatham. This prestigious competition has been delighting audiences across the world with its stunning photography, and we are pleased to be able to bring this to audiences in the UK, and specifically the south east. The exhibition provides a unique glimpse into our mysterious and magical underwater world but also importantly highlights the challenges we face surrounding ocean health and climate change. We hope that our visitors not only enjoy the stunning photography but also consider the impact we all have on ocean health and the steps we can all take to make our marine environment thrive."
Set within a site shaped by centuries of naval exploration, shipbuilding, and underwater innovation, the exhibition continues the Dockyard's commitment to maritime storytelling and ocean understanding. It follows the acclaimed Diving Deep: HMS Invincible 1744 exhibition.
The exhibition opens at The Historic Dockyard Chatham on March 28 and runs until August 31. Entry is included in the Dockyard ticket. The location is Chatham, Kent.
