Breathtaking image of whale engulfing heart-shaped bait ball wins Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024
A glistening mahi mahi fish and fluorescent octopus also clinch prizes in the prestigious photography competition.
By Daniel Graham
Published: Thursday, 12 September 2024 at 18:45 PM
Rafael Fernández Caballero has been named the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024 for his spectacular image of a rare Bryde’s whale about to consume a heart-shaped ball of fish.
“The image captures perhaps the most special – and craziest – moment of my life. It fills me with joy having lived this moment – and to have captured the image,” says Caballero.
Caballero’s photo was chosen from more than 15,000 submissions from some of the world’s finest coastal, drone, surf and underwater photographers. Find out who else was awarded prizes in this year’s competition with our gallery of winning images.
A Bryde’s whale about to devour a heart-shaped bait ball. Baja California Sur, Mexico. Overall winner. Credit: Rafael Fernández Caballero, Ocean Photographer of the YearA northern gannet, one of the largest seabirds in British waters, dives into the water to catch its prey. Isle of Noss, Shetland Islands. Overall second place. Credit: Jade Hoksbergen, Ocean Photographer of the YearA fishing boat off Hon Yen as its long trail of smoke perfectly aligns with the shape of the green nets under the surface. Vietnam. Overall third place. Credit: Thien Nguyen Ngoc, Ocean Photographer of the YearA scuba diver is dwarfed by a shipwreck. The Bahama. Adventure category winner. Credit: Tobias Friedrich, Ocean Photographer of the YearA green sea turtle is released by a researcher after being caught while trying to catch sharks. Acting quickly, the researchers untangled the turtle, took measurements, and tagged it before releasing her back where she was caught. Seychelles. Conservation Hope category winner. Credit: Shane Gross, Ocean Photographer of the YearThe 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. Conservation Impact category winner. Credit: Frederik Brogaard, Ocean Photographer of the YearJuvenile Munk’s devil rays are attracted by a green light, seemingly flying through the water. Baja California Sur, Mexico. Fine Art category winner. Credit: Henley Spiers, Ocean Photographer of the YearA beach reflects the golden haze of the sunset, while a traditional fisherman wades through the water. China. Human Connection category winner. Credit: Zhang Xiang, Ocean Photographer of the YearA triumphant mahi-mahi or common dolphinfish proudly displays its catch amidst a feeding frenzy. Baja California Sur, Mexico. Wildlife category winner. Credit: Manuel Castellanos Raboso, Ocean Photographer of the YearAn elusive algae octopus shows off its fluorescence under ultraviolet light. North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Credit: Young Photographer category winner. Credit: Jacob Guy, Ocean Photographer of the YearA Bryde’s whale about to devour a heart-shaped baitball. Baja California Sur, Mexico. Overall winner. Credit: Rafael Fernández Caballero, Ocean Photographer of the Year
The Ocean Photographer of the Year, presented by Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain, has a simple mission: to shine a light on the wonder and fragility of our blue planet, and to celebrate the photographers giving it a voice.
Check out the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024 full gallery.
