The annual underwater.com.au photo competition is over, the judges have spoken and winners of the 4th annual underwater australasia photo competition have been announced.

The organizers thank all who participated and mader a point to notice that the quality of entries was even better this year.

There were over a thousand entries over the last year and the winners of the 12 monthly competitions were in the finals to compete for a number of great prizes.

Below you will find the first place winner from the open and novice categories. Please visit Underwater.com.au for the full display of winners.

Open Category

1st Place: Matt Tworkowski with a great atmospheric shot of stingless jellyfish at the jellyfish lake, Palau, Micronesia.

2nd Place: Peter Hitchins from South West Rocks with the ultimate shot of Grey Nurse Sharks in Fish Rock Cave.

3rd Place: Linda Johnston with a magically mirrored juvenile Orbicular Batfish at Raja Ampat, Indonesia.

Novice Category

1st Place: Larry Medenilla with his super-close-up of a Pygmy from Anilao, Philippines.

2nd Place: Caelum Mero with 'Take me to your leader' - Point Franklin, Victoria, Australia

3rd Place: Larry Medenilla with a incredibly lit Chromodoris at Anilao, Philippines

The additional winning images can be found here.