Discover Limited Edition Fine Art Prints from a Prestigious Photography Competition
Lewisville, United States – February 8, 2026 / Campbell Underwater Photography /
Bruce Campbell was awarded 1st Place in the Underwater Fashion category at the Ocean Art 2025 Underwater Photo Contest for his image “Angel Flying Over Water.” The Ocean Art Underwater Photo Contest is one of the world’s premier underwater photography competitions, drawing thousands of entries from photographers in more than 90 countries each year.
Campbell’s fascination with the ocean began long before he picked up a camera. As the only scuba diver in his family, he discovered early on that underwater photography offered something fundamentally different from what most people experience at the surface. “People thought you could snorkel and see the same things,” Campbell explains. “But spending time underwater, really spending time there, allows you to see things that are completely invisible from above.”
The Art of Preparation Meets the Thrill of Discovery
For Campbell, bringing an idea to life through underwater photography begins long before the first shutter click. Before flying to any reef location, he reviews what species have been found there and studies their natural habitats. He considers the corals and sponges that may exist and plans how he wants to create the images he hopes to make.
Every dive begins with a critical decision that shapes the entire day’s work, one that cannot be undone once he enters the water. Campbell must choose whether to shoot with a wide angle or a macro lens. There is no “one lens fits all” solution for underwater photography, and lenses cannot be changed once submerged.
“One of my recurring nightmares is descending with my macro setup and then watching a humpback whale glide into view,” Campbell shares. “Encounters like that are extraordinarily rare. Yet with the wrong lens, the most I can capture might be the detail of an eye or the texture of barnacles on a fin, beautiful, but hardly the sweeping portrait such a subject deserves.”
Before any dive, setting up the housing, strobes, modifiers, and lenses can take an hour or more. Once assembled, Campbell places the camera under a vacuum seal for several hours to ensure it’s watertight. Any leak would not only destroy that day’s work but potentially end photography for the remainder of the expedition.
“Every time I go underwater, I know I may come back with nothing,” Campbell says. “But that’s the point, because when I do capture something extraordinary, it’s rare.”
Award Winning Recognition
Campbell’s recent recognition at the Ocean Art 2025 Underwater Photo Contest marks a significant milestone in his photography career. His winning image, “Angel Flying Over Water,” is an elegant in camera underwater portrait that captures a fleeting moment when movement, light, and position aligned to create a sense of lift and stillness beneath the surface. The judges praised the image as the 1st Place winner in the Underwater Fashion category.
Conservation Through Art
Campbell’s work also serves as advocacy for ocean conservation. Through his photography, he aims to inspire others to appreciate and protect the oceans. “By showcasing what you can only see by spending real time underwater,” Campbell explains, “I hope to foster a deeper connection between people and the ocean, ultimately leading to greater awareness and action to protect these vital ecosystems.”
Campbell offers his work as limited edition fine art prints. From private residences to corporate spaces, his images have been placed in locations around the globe. For more information, visit campbellphotogallery.com.
As he continues to explore the depths of the ocean, Campbell remains committed to his craft, constantly seeking new challenges, experimenting with new techniques, and exploring uncharted waters.
About Bruce Campbell Photography
Bruce Campbell is an award-winning ocean photographer specializing in underwater fine art. His portfolio includes ocean imagery captured from diving locations around the world.
