A "once in a lifetime moment" nets Ocean Photographer of the Year

OCEAN PHOTOGRAPHY HAS A WAY of transporting us — whether it’s into the serene blues of an untouched reef or the chaotic swirl of a predator’s hunt. This year, Rafael Fernández Caballero’s breathtaking capture of a Bryde’s whale feasting on a heart-shaped baitball earned him the title of Ocean Photographer of the Year, a well-deserved accolade that places him at the helm of adventure photography.

It’s easy to see why Caballero’s shot stole the show among 15,000 submissions. Imagine the adrenaline of witnessing a massive whale diving into a swirling baitball that somehow forms a perfectly romantic shape. It’s nature’s poetry in motion, with a bit of dramatic flair. Caballero calls it “the craziest moment of [his] life,” and frankly, we’re inclined to agree. It’s the kind of image that leaves you both mesmerised, terrified and yet mildly envious of the photographer’s proximity to such magic.

This year’s competition wasn’t just shimmering scales and endless ocean views (though there was plenty of that, too). The winning photographs swung between the heartwarming – like conservationists caring for coral nurseries – and the heartbreaking, like an octopus hiding in a plastic bag or a gannet caught in a tangle of human debris. It’s a stark reminder that while the ocean is full of beauty, it’s also carrying the burden of human civilisation.

Among the standout images, scenes of freedivers plunging into blue holes and drone shots of baitballs devoured from above and below demonstrate the sheer diversity of ocean photography. Each photograph tells a story – some celebrating nature’s resilience, others highlighting its vulnerability.

This year, the Female Fifty Fathoms Award went to Malaysian photographer Ipah Uid Lynn, a trailblazer in the underwater photography world. Her peers nominated her for this honour, which celebrates not only her boundary-pushing artistry but also the growing prominence of women in ocean photography.

Reflecting on her win, Lynn said it’s “a recognition that goes beyond personal achievement,” shedding light on the power of storytelling and the importance of women’s voices in this field. The award, created in partnership with Blancpain and Oceanographic Magazine, has been running since 2021 and is as much about championing pioneering work as it is about inspiring future generations to dive in – literally and metaphorically.

First and foremost, the competition is about showcasing stunning visuals, but it’s also a cornerstone of the Blancpain Ocean Commitment, a program launched by the watchmaker that’s dedicated to marine conservation. From funding research into underwater ecosystems to helping establish marine protected areas, Blancpain has woven environmental responsibility into the very fabric of its brand. It’s an impressive effort to ensure that the oceans we marvel at in these images continue to inspire for generations to come.

“Photography is a powerful ally in ocean exploration and conservation,” says Marc A. Hayek, Blancpain’s CEO. And he’s right – it’s hard not to feel moved to action after seeing the raw beauty and fragile state of our oceans through these winning images.

If you’re in Sydney, the first Ocean Photographer of the Year exhibition has opened at the Australian National Maritime Museum, with additional venues set to showcase the works in early 2025. Whether you’re an avid diver or someone who’s never seen the ocean outside of a screensaver, it’s worth a visit to experience these stories up close.

In a world where scrolling through our phones often replaces real exploration, competitions like this remind us of what lies beneath the waves – and what’s at stake if we don’t take care of it. So, while Caballero’s image might top the list, every photograph in this collection deserves its moment in the spotlight. After all, they’re more than just beautiful snapshots; they’re a call to action.

Discover more at oceanographicmagazine.com.