Winners of RSB photography competition 2025 unveiled
Date: 23 Sept 2025
The winners of the Royal Society of Biology’s 2025 amateur photography competition have been announced. With over 1,300 entries this year – up 24% from last year – 10 images were shortlisted, and two winners were crowned; one for the over 18 category and one for the under 18 category.
The winner of the former receives £1,000 prize money, with the latter receiving £500.
This year’s competition theme was Restoring Biodiversity & Habitat.
Winner of Photographer of the Year
The winner of the Photographer of the Year 2025 is Matthias Rueger from Vienna, Austria with ‘The jellyfish lake’.
What’s in the picture: Multiple jellyfish gathering in a salt water lake in Raja Ampat.
According to Matthias, the image highlights biodiversity and habitat restoration through the numbers of jellyfish increasing significantly after the regional government implemented strict rules to protect these waters following the negative impact of pollution and tourism. Several salt water lakes are physically separated from the ocean, offering a unique, protected, and biodiverse area for jellyfish to live without predators.
Location taken: Raja Ampat, Indonesia
On winning RSB Photographer of the Year 2025, Matthias said: “I am truly delighted that my photo was successful in this year's competition. The photographed jellyfish lake is a unique place, of which there are not many on our planet. Hundreds of thousands of sensitive, stingless jellyfish live peacefully together in the lake, undisturbed by predators. Due to strict regulations, it is possible to experience this masterpiece of nature as a snorkeller. Our planet is full of such wonders above and below the water. We must realise that these need to be protected, and so these sensitive areas must be treated with great care, and in a sustainable way. The challenge lies in enjoying the beauty of our Earth in such a way that future generations can also benefit from it.”
Winner of Young Photographer of the Year
The winner of the Young Photographer of the Year 2025 is Alexander Carson with ‘Home under the sea’.
What’s in the picture: Barrier Reef anemonefish (Amphiprion akindynos).
The photograph displays the restoration of biodiversity and habitat through a charity organisation’s efforts to restore coral reefs by growing coral, leading to several species thriving and living in symbiosis in this multifaceted environment.
Location taken: Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The winning images will be displayed at the RSB’s Awards Ceremony during Biology Week on Wednesday 15 October 2025 at the House of Commons, London.
This year’s judging panel was comprised of Claude Barbé-Brown, Journal Marketing Manager from Wiley, Alice Campain, Scientific Picture Researcher at CABI, and Helen Robertson, Head of Education and Operations at Field Studies Council.
Shortlisted — Photographer of the Year
Title: Humpback chin
Photographer: Huw Griffiths
Location: Weddell Sea, Antarctica
Title: Taking flight
Photographer: Jack Allman
Location: St Chad’s Church, Liverpool, UK
Title: Thirsty pack
Photographer: Vittorio Ricci
Location: Limpopo-Lipadi Wildlife and Wilderness Reserve, Botswana
Title: Urban little owl
Photographer: Janek Paeßens
Location: Seffent, Aachen, Germany
Shortlisted — Young Photographer of the Year
Title: Taking over the building
Photographer: Elana Garrett
Location: Maerdy, Wales, UK
Title: The stare
Photographer: Will Baxter
Location: Goodyer Meadow, Petersfield, UK
Title: Whispers between two gannets
Photographer: Kya Ko
Location: Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire, UK
Title: Guardian of the restored lands
Photographer: Sam Morris
Location: Amakhala Game Reserve, South Africa