The results of Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019 are out. The competition started in 1967 in the UK as a local contest, but soon turned into a global event, drawing shutter bugs from the four corners of the world.  Richard Barnden from the UK was named Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019 as well as British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019 with his captivating image titled 'The Gauntlet'.  Here is a selection from the UPY2019 gallery.  Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019, British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2019, Behavior category winner: "The Gauntlet" by Richard Barnden (United Kingdom). / VCG Photo

Wide Angle category winner: “Gentle Giants” by François Baelen (Reunion Island). / VCG Photo

Macro category winner: "Fast cuttlefish" by Fabio Iardino (Italy). / VCG Photo

Wrecks category winner: "Big Guns" by René B. Andersen (Denmark). / VCG Photo

Portrait category winner:"Fly high and smile" by Nicholas Samaras (Greece). / VCG Photo

Black & White category winner: "Between Two Worlds" by Henley Spiers (the Philippines). / VCG Photo

Compact category winner: "Hairy in the Sunrise" by Enrico Somogyi (Germany). / VCG Photo

Up&Coming category winner: "Paradise" by Taeyup Kim (South Korea). / VCG Photo