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Italian photographer David Lopresti was named this year's Underwater Photographer of the Year, beating out photographers from 54 different countries. His winning photograph, titled "Gold," is a creative portrait of a spiny seahorse taken in Trieste, Italy.

To achieve the painterly strokes and textures of the sea, Lopresti combined panning, a long exposure, and a flash to spotlight the details of the seahorse. Dr. Alexander Mustard, one of the panel judges, described the image as "beautiful and creative, a very worthy overall winner."

British Underwater Photographer of the Year went to Dan Bolt for his photo "Catshark Supernova," which was taken close to home in Thurlstone Bay, England.  "The reef system there is a favored laying ground for the small spotted catshark," said Bolt. "I carefully positioned my strobe behind the egg to reveal its hidden beauty."

(MORE: Stunning Underwater Sculptures Help Marine Life)

In addition to the special awards winners, the Underwater Photographer of the Year photo contest works to promote up and coming talent. The competition was divided into eight categories, providing photographers with a broad platform to display skill and technique. Some of the categories include macro, wide angle, shipwrecks and behavior.

"It's a tough job distilling them down to the very best," said Alex Mustard, chair of the judging panel and driving force behind UPY. "Every single image that placed is an amazing moment from the underwater world. There has never been such strength in depth in underwater photography."

Take a look at the above slideshow for all the winners in this year's Underwater Photographer of the Year competition.