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Why The Ocean Photographer of the Year’s Winning Images Are Making Waves on the Internet

Nilofer Khan
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Last updated on 09/17/2024
09/17/2024
5 Mins read
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The wonder of the ocean never ceases to amaze us. The beauty of the lesser-known marine life leaves a lasting impression on hearts and minds. However, when one sees photographs of such wild, enchanting beings underneath the water, one rarely wonders about the challenges or hardships the photographer underwent to capture the moment. After all, photography underwater requires a different skill set and gear than those used on land. In a bid to recognize the diverse talent in this genre, Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain announced the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024 competition. And now, we can see the jaw-dropping images from this year’s edition.

The lead image is by Yue Hongjun, courtesy of Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain. All images are used with permission.

The Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024 is…

From 15,000 images sent to completion, a picture of Bryde’s whale consuming a heart-shaped bait ball took away the Ocean Photographer of the Year crown. Rafael Fernández Caballero, an ambassador of National Geographic magazine, shot the photograph. This year, the pictures also featured the challenges of human impact on marine environments, the beauty of underwater, and its perils and fragility.

Ocean Photographer of the Year
Baja California Sur, Mexico

Describing the winning picture as “perhaps the most special – and craziest – moment of my life,” stating how he was able to capture the moment through his lens. Speaking about his accolade, he added, “This is a dream come true. Being a part of the best compilation of ocean photography this year – and receiving the top recognition – drives me to keep believing in what I do and to continue showcasing the ocean’s wonders.”

In addition to the overall winner, the Female Fifty Fathoms Award, which was established in 2021, went to Ipah Uid Lynn. The category was established to distinguish and honor pioneering women in ocean photography. “Receiving the Female Fifty Fathoms Award is an incredible honor and validation of the passion and dedication I’ve poured into my work over the years,” states the Malaysian photographer. “It’s a recognition that highlights the importance of storytelling through photography and the voices of women in this field.”

President and CEO of Blancpain, Marc A. Hayek, also highlighted the role of visual stories in spreading awareness and conservation efforts for marine life. “Photography is a powerful ally in ocean exploration and conservation. We applaud the Ocean Photographer of the Year winners not only for their art but for their help in educating a wider public on the marvels found in the seas.”

A Look At Other Winning Photographs

Overall Winners

Second place: Jade Hoksbergen

Ocean Photographer of the Year
A northern gannet, one of the largest
seabirds in British waters, dives into the water to catch its prey.
Isle of Noss, Shetland Islands.

Third place: Thien Nguyen Ngoc

Ocean Photographer of the Year
A fishing boat off Hon Yen, with its long trail of smoke, perfectly aligns with the shape of the green nets under the surface.
Vietnam.

Overall Winners

Young Ocean Photographer of The Year

Winner: Jacob Guy

Ocean Photographer of the Year
An elusive algae octopus shows off its fluorescence under ultraviolet light.
North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Second place: João Pontes

Ocean Photographer of the Year
A perfectly camouflaged lizardfish with prey in its mouth.
Hawaii

Third place: Julian Jacobs

Ocean Photographer of the Year
A California moray eel pauses at the surface of its rapidly shrinking world as the tide goes out.
California

Wildlife

Winner: Manuel Castellanos Raboso

Ocean Photographer of the Year
A triumphant mahi-mahi or common dolphinfish proudly displays its catch amidst a feeding frenzy.

Second place: Rafael Fernández Caballero

Ocean Photographer of the Year
A marine iguana sits on a rock. Unlike other iguanas around the world, these are the only ones that have evolved to swim and feed underwater, holding their breath for up to 60 minutes.
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Third place: Andrey Shpatak

Ocean Photographer of the Year
A giant Pacific octopus in the shallows.
Russia.

Conservation – Hope

Winner: Shane Gross

Ocean Photographer of the Year
A researcher released a green sea turtle after it was caught while trying to catch sharks. Acting quickly, the researchers untangled the turtle, took measurements, and tagged it before releasing it back where she was caught.
Seychelles

Second place: Edwar Herreño Parra

Ocean Photographer of the Year
A whale shark swims alongside the Sharkwater research vessel, which was initially used by the Japanese fishing fleet but is now used for research.
Cocos Island, Costa Rica.

Third place: Matty Smith

Ocean Photographer of the Year
An endangered White’s seahorse in Sydney Harbour. Their numbers have declined due to human activities, but they are happily recovering due to conservation programs and captive breeding and release.
Sydney, Australia

Conservation – Impact

Winner: Frederik Brogaard

Ocean Photographer of the Year
The second biggest whale, the fin whale, lies waiting for its turn to be butchered at a whaling plant in Iceland before getting sent to Japan.
Iceland

Second place: Rebecca Douglas

Ocean Photographer of the Year
A gannet, entangled in discarded fishing gear, hangs off a cliff.
Isle of Noss, Shetland Islands

Third place: Andrew Sullivan-Haskins

Ocean Photographer of the Year
Freedivers from the Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project work to remove a large ghost net from the waters of the uninhabited Pearl and Hermes Atoll. At this point, the team had been working for nearly two months straight and removed almost 200,000 pounds of ghost nets from this Marine Protected Area.
Pearl and Hermes Atoll, Hawaii

Human Connection

Winner: Zhang Xiang

Ocean Photographer of the Year
A beach reflects the golden haze of the sunset while a traditional fisherman wades through the water.
China

Second place: Romeo Bodolai

Ocean Photographer of the Year
A fisherman uses a traditional fishing technique.
Myanmar

Third place: Yue Hongjun

Ocean Photographer of the Year
A freediver with her customized fishtail swims amidst a school of sardines.
Moalboal, Philippines

Ocean Portfolio Award

Winner: Shane Gross

Second place: Katherine Lu

Third place: Filippo Borghi

Female Fifty Fathoms

Winner: Ipah Uid Lynn

Fine Art

Winner: Henley Spiers

Ocean Photographer of the Year
Juvenile Munk’s devil rays are attracted by a green light, seemingly flying through the water.
Baja California Sur, Mexico

Second place: Julien Anton

Ocean Photographer of the Year
A close-up shot of a nurse shark’s eye.
Tahiti, French Polynesia

Third place: Mark Williams

Ocean Photographer of the Year
An orca exhales on the surface.
Vancouver Island, Canada

Adventure

Winner: Tobias Friedrich

Ocean Photographer of the Year
A scuba diver is dwarfed by a shipwreck.
The Bahamas

Second place: Sébastien Bachellereau

Ocean Photographer of the Year
A surfer rides an epic wave, a bright rainbow forming behind it.
New South Wales, Australia

Third place: Daan Verhoeven

Ocean Photographer of the Year
Freediver Sun Young Kim dives in the ‘no fins’ category at Vertical Blue 2021, a freediving competition in the famous Dean’s Blue Hole.
The Bahamas

The winning images of the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024 will be exhibited at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney on 28 November. For more information, visit Ocean Photographer of the Year’s website.

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