Rafael Fernández Caballero was named the Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024 on Thursday in a contest presented by Oceanographic Magazine and Blancpain. His winning image was taken in the waters off Baja California Sur, Mexico and chosen from more than 15,000 submissions. It shows a rare Bryde's whale about to consume a heart-shaped baitball, which is simply a tightly packed school of fish who swim closely together for protection. Spoiler: They weren't protected.
"The image captures perhaps the most special -- and craziest -- moment of my life," Caballero said in a statement. "It fills me with joy having lived this moment -- and to have captured the image."
The Female Fifty Fathoms Award, which celebrates pioneering and inspirational women in ocean photography, was awarded to Malaysian photographer Ipah Uid Lynn. She was nominated by her peers and selected by a panel of judges.
Underwater photography is a specialized field, to be sure, but it can inspire land-bound shutterbugs as we refine our techniques and upgrade our gear, even if it's just a smartphone camera we're using.
The first exhibition of the top-rated images will open at the Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney, on Nov. 28, followed by several additional venues in early 2025. Here's a look at just a small sampling of the images. The full winners gallery is online.