Caballero wins ocean photographer award for breathtaking whale shot

Rafael Fernández Caballero has been named Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024 for his photograph of a Bryde’s whale feeding on a bait ball—a defensive formation by small fish where they gather tightly together in a spherical shape to protect themselves from predators.

The breathtaking image was chosen from more than 15,000 ocean pictures across disciplines, including underwater, surf and drone.

“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,” Caballero said on winning the award.

This year’s best photographs include dramatic wildlife encounters, such as a bait ball being devoured from air and sea, out-of-place eels slithering over rocks at low tide, and an iridescent mahi mahi caught with a mouthful.

Malaysian photographer Ipah Uid Lynn won this year’s Female Fifty Fathoms Award. The award was instituted in 2021 by Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain to celebrate pioneering and boundary-pushing women in ocean photography.

Unlike other categories, the recipient of this award is nominated by her peers and judged by the Ocean Photographer of the Year jury and a Blancpain delegation led by Marc A. Hayek, president and chief executive officer.

The award “is an incredible honour and validation of the passion and dedication I’ve poured into my work over the years. It feels surreal and deeply gratifying. It’s a recognition that goes beyond personal achievement; it highlights the importance of storytelling through photography and the voices of women in this field,” Lynn said.

The Ocean Photographer of the Year, presented by Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain, “shines a light on the wonder and fragility of our blue planet, and to celebrate the photographers giving it a voice.”

The competition “is a cornerstone of the Blancpain Ocean Commitment, which aims to unite all the brand’s efforts to protect the ocean,” a statement said.

“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,” Hayek said.

The first Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024 exhibition will open at the Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney, on 28 November, followed by several additional venues in early 2025.