The verdict is in. Or at least the verdict according to social media. After another 12 months of amazing images in the pages of DPG, posted on DPG’s Facebook and Instagram social media channels and shared widely among the community, we have the top 10 farthest-reaching, most liked, most shared, and most commented on posted images of 2022!

And the champion image is Robert Stansfield’s breathtaking rainbow tripodfish, captured on a blackwater dive off Cozumel, Mexico. Our Facebook post featuring the image was seen a staggering 1.2 million times, garnered more than 55,000 reactions (Likes, Shares, etc.), and attracted 1,800 comments. Impressively, the post that came a close second also features one of Robert’s images—a beautiful black-and-white shot of eagle rays. It seems we all love a nice pure black background—several other images in the top 10 have one—whether the subject is macro or wide angle.

As we wrap up the year of inspiring images and insightful articles on DPG, we’d like to wish everyone a fantastic holiday season. Here’s to a wonderful start to the new year and awesome underwater photo opportunities in 2023!

1. Rainbow tripodfish, Cozumel, Mexico by Robert Stansfield

On Facebook (June 1, 2022) | From DPG Photographer of the Week

2. Eagle rays in black and white, Cozumel, Mexico by Robert Stansfield

On Facebook (May 19, 2022) | From DPG Photographer of the Week

3. A pale octopus protecting her eggs, Victoria, Australia, by Jules Casey

On Facebook (October 15, 2022) | From “Behind the Shot: The Circle of Life”

4. Sea turtle, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico, by Jay Clue

On Facebook (November 17, 2022) | From “Review of the Sony Alpha 1 in Nauticam Housing”

5. Sharpear enope squid shot during a blackwater night dive off Palm Beach, Florida, USA, by André Johnson

On Facebook (August 2, 2022) | From DPG Photographer of the Week

6. Hooded nudibranch, God’s Pocket, British Columbia, Canada, by Veronica Nagy

On Facebook (August 2, 2022) | From DPG Photographer of the Week

7. Jellyfish hitchhiker, Palm Beach, Florida, USA, by Tom Shlesinger

On Facebook (June 12, 2022) | From DPG Photographer of the Week

8. Seaweed blenny, Blue Heron Bridge, Florida, USA, by Billy Ball

On Facebook (December 8, 2022) | From DPG Photographer of the Week

9. A grouper at a cleaning station in the Red Sea, Egypt, by Amir Abramovich

On Facebook (September 2, 2022) | From DPG Photographer of the Week

10. Goliath grouper, Palm Beach, Florida, USA by Tom Shlesinger

On Facebook (June 10, 2022) | From DPG Photographer of the Week