Scuba Diving magazine is proud to introduce the guest judges for our 2026 "Through Your Lens" underwater photography contest. These award-winning individuals are united by their dedication to preserving and showcasing the wonders of the ocean.
The judges bring a wealth of experience, possessing an eye for composition, lighting and storytelling to the panel of judges, which also includes Scuba Diving's editors. They await the opportunity to evaluate the captivating stories and moments captured in each entry.
Brandon Cole
Courtesy ImageBrandon Cole
Brandon Cole is a full-time professional wildlife photographer and photojournalist specializing in the marine environment. His award-winning imagery showcases fishes and invertebrates from tropical coral reefs and cold-water kelp forests, as well as sharks and marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, and pinnipeds.
Cole’s “life aquatic” career spans over 30 years. After earning a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from the University of California at Santa Barbara and working as an underwater researcher with the U.S. National Park Service and Australian Institute of Marine Science, he pursued a Ph.D. for a month, then succumbed to the lure of underwater photography. Cole left the lab and now spends up to six months each year exploring beneath the waves. In recording Ocean’s majesty, he has traveled much of the globe, logging more than 10,000 dives. Some of his favorite scuba diving locales are Indonesia, the Galapagos Islands and the current-swept, chilly waters of the Pacific Northwest. Cole lives in landlocked eastern Washington with his artist wife and dive buddy Melissa.
Website: www.brandoncole.com
Kate Jonker
Courtesy ImageKate Jonker
Kate Jonker is a renowned ocean explorer, underwater photographer, and storyteller from Cape Town, South Africa. With a deep passion for the sea, Kate has earned national and international recognition for her captivating underwater photography. As an advocate for ocean conservation, she uses her platform to raise awareness about protecting marine ecosystems. Kate’s work goes beyond photography—she is a respected writer, speaker, and educator, sharing her expertise through workshops, dive expeditions, and numerous publications.
As co-owner of Indigo Scuba Diving Centre and owner of Underwater Photo Company, Kate leads unforgettable dive experiences and offers personalized photography coaching. Her role as a Marelux ambassador allows her to contribute to the underwater photography community, where she continues to inspire others to explore, appreciate, and protect the ocean's remarkable beauty.
Website: www.katejonker.com
Alex Mustard
Courtesy ImageAlex Mustard, Ph.D.
Dr. Alex Mustard is an underwater photographer and marine biologist. He has a Ph.D. in marine ecology, but since 2004 his career has been in photography. He has been winning international awards since his teens, and his work is particularly well known from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest, where it has featured in 15 different portfolio books of winning photographs over the last 20 years. In 2013, he was named the overall winner of the European Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the first underwater winner of that title.
Alex is especially known for sharing his knowledge - his best-selling book Underwater Photography Masterclass (2016) was reprinted just two weeks after being released. In 2018, he received national recognition in the United Kingdom, receiving the title of MBE from Queen Elizabeth II for ‘services to underwater photography.’
Website: www.amustard.com
So, jump on over to the contest page, read the rules, learn more about the categories, begin planning you dream getaway (or ultimate dive gear package), and SUBMIT!
