Dr Alex Mustard MBE has been named as the new President of the British Society of Underwater Photographers (BSoUP). The position has been unfilled since the passing of the previous President, Brian Pitkin, in 2021.
Mustard, who has a PhD in marine ecology but has been a full-time photographer since 2004, has been a member of the society for almost 25 years. With the new appointment, he becomes the fifth BSoUP President, following Peter Scoones, David George, Peter Rowlands and Brian Pitkin.
BSoUP was founded in 1967 with a mission to share knowledge about the challenges of underwater photography with its members to help them create outstanding underwater images.
‘We’re thrilled to welcome Alex as our President as we continue to inspire and inform underwater photographers and push the boundaries of photographic excellence beneath the waves,’ said Nur Tucker, Chairman of BSoUP.
‘We could not be prouder to have Alex, not only as a member but now also as our President. Alex is an experienced, energetic and selfless mentor, and all members will benefit from his dedication to help us create powerful
images underwater.
‘And, as a leading innovator in underwater photography, he is ideally placed to help elevate the name of BSoUP in Britain as well as around the world.’
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Dr Mustard is perhaps best known for his popular book Underwater Photography Masterclass, which he dedicated to the founders of BSoUP, Peter Scoones and Colin Doeg, who died in 2024.
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 overall winner of the European Wildlife Photographer of the Year, at the time the only underwater photographer to claim that title. Mustard is also a founder of the Underwater Photographer of the Year contest.
He currently writes two illustrated monthly columns on underwater photography for Scuba Diver Magazine (UK + Australasia) and for Sport Diver (USA), and co-hosts The Underwater Photography Show on YouTube.
In 2018, Mustard received national recognition, receiving the title of MBE from Queen Elizabeth II for ‘services to underwater photography’.
BSoUP membership is open to all underwater photographers at £35 per year, with monthly online meetings attracting an audience and speakers from around the world, and themed competitions where judges provide feedback on submissions. Find out more at bsoup.org.uk
