Jellyfish and storms: 2015 Outdoor Photographer finalists announced | CNN

Outdoor Photographer of the Year 2015 —

Finalists for Outdoor Photographer of the Year have been announced, with the overall winner being crowned on February 13. The winner of the Under Exposed category is George Karbus from the Czech Republic, who took this picture of his girlfriend freediving with jellyfish in Ireland.

George Karbus 2015

Wildlife Insight: Category Winner —

"In a camp in South Africa this elephant walked right past my tent -- so close I could have touched it. The elephant was munching on leaves and seemed completely unperturbed by my presence." -- Naomi Stolow, UK

Naomi Stolow 2015

Small World: Category Winner —

"During a macro tour I found this gossamer-winged butterfly, which was ideally placed for a shot in front of the rising sun. The surrounding vegetation was perfect for creating some bokeh." -- Henrik Spranz, Austria

Henrik Spranz 2015

At the Water's Edge: Category Winner —

"The leading edge of a thunderstorm shot at Tacking Point, Port Macquarie in Australia. This was the most spectacular cloud formation I've seen firsthand." -- William Eades, Australia

William Eades 2015

Light on the Land: Category Winner —

"Having parked at Allen Banks, near Haydon Bridge in Northumberland in the north of England, I set off walking south, following the river Allen. The trees lining the river were dripping with dew, drawing me to capture this beautiful sun-soaked morning scene." -- Ben Wayman, UK

Ben Wayman 2015

"Two walkers peer into the gloom on Tryfan's north ridge in Snowdonia, north Wales." -- <a href="http://www.gregwhitton.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">Greg Whitton</a>, UK

Live the Adventure: Category Winner —

"Two walkers peer into the gloom on Tryfan's north ridge in Snowdonia, north Wales." -- Greg Whitton, UK

Greg Whitton 2015

Spirit of Trave: Category Winner —

"Foundation School in Chalt Pain, Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan. Electricity shortages in the area make it difficult for students in schools; they often have to move around the classroom in order to get the natural light they need to read their books." -- Andrea Francolini, Australia

Andrea Francolini 2015

"I took this photo at the beach in Chalkidiki, Greece." -- Anastasia Ziavra, 15 years old, Greece. <em>For the first time ever, the best competition entries have been collected in a book. "The Outdoor Photographer of the Year: Portfolio One" is available to </em><a href="http://www.opoty.co.uk" target="_blank" target="_blank"><em>pre-order now</em></a><em>. </em>

Young Outdoor Photographer of the Year: Winner —

"I took this photo at the beach in Chalkidiki, Greece." -- Anastasia Ziavra, 15 years old, Greece. For the first time ever, the best competition entries have been collected in a book. "The Outdoor Photographer of the Year: Portfolio One" is available to pre-order now.

Anastasia Ziavra

Outdoor Photographer of the Year 2015

CNN —

When it comes to bragging rights, Czech photographer George Karbus has more than his share.

Not only does he have a girlfriend who joins him when he goes freediving with jellyfish, a shot he took of her swimming with the creatures has scooped him one of the top prizes in a leading photo contest.

Karbus’ image was named winner in the Under Exposed category of 2015’s Outdoor Photographer of the Year competition.

Seven other stunning photographs from 12,000 entrants were named as finalists.

The overall winner will be announced on February 13 at the Telegraph Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show in London.

The contest is sponsored by UK-based “Outdoor Photography” magazine and Swedish outdoor equipment company Fjällräven.

The prize for the overall winner from the adult categories is a place on a dog sled expedition to the Arctic in spring 2016.

Now in its fifth year, the competition honors what organizers say is photography showcasing the magnificent diversity of our planet, with the 2015 category winners covering everything from a remote Pakistan schoolroom to a spectacular Australian thunderstorm.

The winning photographers come from the UK, Australia, Austria and the Czech Republic, with 15-year-old Anastasia Ziavra from Greece taking the Young Photographer of the Year prize for her moonlit picture of a beach.

This year, 150 of the best entries have been gathered into a book by Ammonite Press, with descriptions written by the photographers and details of the cameras used.

“Outdoor Photographer of the Year: Portfolio One” will be published in March and is available to pre-order from the Outdoor Photographer of the Year website.