Matthew Smith

I’m overwhelmed and slightly speechless to finally be able to reveal myself as this years London Natural History Museum Underwater Category Wildlife Photographer of the year! With this picture of a Leopard Seal on the Antarctic Peninsula. It’s been a long time between drinks for me here at the “Oscars” of wildlife photography, ten years to be exact. Happy to be back, even if it is with a slight case of imposter syndrome. A huge congratulations to the other 99 finalists here tonight too, including fellow Aussie shooters @charlesdavisphotography @georgina_steytler @justingilligan & @nicolaslenaremy some extraordinary feats of wildlife photography. The exhibition will shortly do a world tour and will be turning up at a gallery near you soon. Take a look :) @nhm_wpy #wpy60 @nikonaustralia @aquaticadigital #mynikonlife

@southaustralianmuseum currently have a 20th anniversary exhibition of past overall winners of the @australiangeographic South Australian Museum Nature Photographer of the Year awards. I’m very proud to be a part of this with my 2014 winning image called “Physalia” A split shot of a Pacific Man of War taken in Bushrangers Bay just over 10 years ago. This win was a career defining moment for me and a spring board onto many other opportunities. This competition has long since been one of my very favourites to enter and I recommend any photographer to take part due to the exposure your winning images receive. It will open for entries again in December 2024. After finishing at @southaustralianmuseum these images will go on to tour Australia. 📷 @nikonaustralia D300//10.5mm F2.8 // @aquaticadigital AD300 Housing. #mynikonlife

Well it was wonderful news to hear I'd been awarded "Best British Photographer" in the Underwater Photographer of the Year awards! Thanks so much to the judges Alex Mustard, Peter Rowlands & Tobias Friedrich, all at UPY and the sponsors. But mostly thanks so much to Andrew Fox and the crew of the MV Rodney Fox without whose participation this would not have been possible. It really was a team effort to get this image and I owe all those guys a beer! I also scored Runner Up, Highly Commended and Commended slots with some other images. All results are up on the UPY website wwwunderwaterphotographeroftheyear.com/ Congratulations  to all the other successful entrants, you should be very proud. Shot with @nikonaustralia Z6 II, Nikkor 14-24mm F2.8 Series, @aquaticadigital ADZ6/7 housing and 5HD monitor and Matty Smith 12” Dome Port. @upycontest @rodneyfoxsharkexpeditions #UPY2022 #lovesharks #mattysmithphoto

A wonderful ice sculpture submerged beneath the mountains in the bay at Cuverville, Antarctic Peninsula. 📸 @mattysmithphoto @wildplanetexpeditions #mywildplanet #z9 @nikonaustralia @aquaticadigital #mynikonlife

Just one more for World Whale Day. Memories from the 2024 whale season in Tonga and this curious calf that attached itself to Mez. Nikon Z9//14-30//Aquatica Digital housing and Matty Smith 12” Dome. @nikonaustralia #mynikonlife @aquaticadigital #worldwhaleday

It's World Whale Day! So here's some footage of Humpbacks bubble net feeding on krill in Antarctica a few weeks ago with @wildplanetexpeditions #worldwhaleday #mywildplanet #krill #antarctica #whale #humpbackwhale #mattysmithphoto

Dramatic scenes during my recent expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula as a founding owner of @wildplanetexpeditions with @scott.portelli #mywildplanet @nikonaustralia #mynikonlife

📸 Master the Art of Split Shots with Matty Smith! 🎥 Join this 2-hour webinar with the renowned expert in over-under photography! 🌊 Why Split Shots? Split shots—also known as over-unders—are among the most challenging yet rewarding underwater photos to capture. From distracting water droplets 💦 and surface line distortions 🌊 to subject positioning 🐠 and lighting complexity 💡, so much can go wrong. 
✨ But when done right, these images tell incredible stories and captivate audiences! They spark curiosity 🧐 about the underwater world and even perform amazingly well in photo competitions 🏆. 
🎤 Meet Your Speaker: Matty Smith @mattysmithphoto 
The Underwater Club is thrilled to welcome Matty Smith—a true master of the craft—as our guest speaker for February! 
🌍 About Matty Smith: ✔️ Born in the UK, now based in Newcastle (NSW, Australia). ✔️ Nikon Australia & Aquatica Digital Water Housings ambassador 📷. ✔️ Winner of over 30 international photography awards 🏅, including 1st place (Underwater) at the 2024 Wildlife Photographer of the Year. ✔️ Contributor to top dive & nature magazines 📰 and seasoned photography instructor. 
📅 When is the event? 
📆 February 09th: 🕛 12pm Los Angeles (PST) 🕑 2pm Dallas (CST) 🕒 3pm Miami (EST) 🕗 8pm London (GMT) 🕘 9pm Paris/Rome/Berlin (CET) 
📆 February 10th: 🕖 7am Sydney (AEDT, Feb 10) 🕘 9am Auckland (NZDT, Feb 10) 
⏳ The event will last approximately 2 hours, including Q&A. 
💡 Can’t make it live? Tickets include 3-day replay access until February 13th! 
💰 How to Join: 🎟️ Hit “Get tickets” – only AU$49 (approx US$32 / EUR 30 / GBP 26). 📺 Includes recording access for 3 days after the event! 
🔥 Get More for the Same Price! Members of The Underwater Club can: ✅ Join the webinar for FREE. ✅ Watch the recording anytime as long as their membership is active. 
For the same price as a ticket, become a member and enjoy: 🌊 This webinar + past recordings 🎥 📸 Exclusive photography resources 💡 30-day access (renews monthly, cancel anytime)
 📢 Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the best! Secure your spot now! 🚀

By using my 100-400mm S Series lens I was able to zoom in for nice tight portraits whilst maintaining a respectful distance from these large yet rather cute Weddell seals on the Antarctic Peninsula. @nikonaustralia #mynikonlife #Z9 @wildplanetexpeditions #mywildplanet

Antarctica is one of the most unique and beautiful lands. Today I had to make a split second decision whether to shoot feeding whales or a yawning leopard seal, sensory overload, wild! Here’s some clips filmed in just the last 4 days. Keep a lookout for further upcoming expeditions with Scott & I to South Georgia and The Falkland Islands in 2025 & 2026 and back to Antarctica in 2027. To express an interest in joining us message me your email address. Drone clips filmed under permit. @wildplanetexpeditions #mywildplanet

PART 2 💙 Explore the Ocean Photographer of The Year Award exhibition with @mattysmithphoto, as he shows us an upclose view of his image! You can see Matty’s incredible photo, in-person at the Ocean Photographer of The Year exhibition at @sea.museum until April 2025. 🔗 Click the link in bio to get your tickets today #oceanphotography #oceanphotographeroftheyear #marinelife #seahorse #sydney #aus #uwphotography

PART 1 💙 Dive into sydney waters with Ocean Photographer of the Year runner-up @mattysmithphoto as he takes us behind the scenes of his award-winning photography. You can see Matty’s incredible photo, in-person at the Ocean Photographer of The Year exhibition at @sea.museum until April 2025. 🔗 Click the link in bio to get your tickets today #oceanphotography #oceanphotographeroftheyear #marinelife #seahorse #sydney #aus #uwphoto