I took this photo while on a trip to capture diving gannets. Gannets are one of my favorite seabirds, and they are incredibly impressive, with the ability to dive from heights as high as 30m and hit the water at speeds of up to 96kph! When they dive all around you, it’s difficult to figure out where to point your camera, but I was happy with how this shot showed the motion of a dive.
Location of the dive: Indonesia - North Sulawesi - Lembeh Strait:
during a night dive called \"Black water\" I had the opportunity to encounter a Tunicate salp about 5 cm. inside and outside was full of many animals such as crabs and shrimps and more, I was at a depth of about 10 meters on a depth between 60 and 100 meters.
Inside the Tunicate salp is a box fish in juvenile form, some very small flatworms in juvenile form, then some larval Squilla mantis, some heteropods, and several animals that I cannot determine,
then outside there are 2 brown juvenile crabs, 4 crabs in transparent larval form, and several transparent shrimps in larval form, I can also see 2 lobster larvae of different sizes.
Soft morning lights reflecting on the body of a sperm whale when it descending to the blue abyss.
A sperm whale can dive down more than 2,000 meters and can stay submerged for up to an hour to hunt squids, octopuses, sharks and other animals that live in the deep ocean, particularly giant squids.
Photo shooting with the sardines is such an amazing experience, they can create incredible unique forms. I love how in this photo, the sardines are welcoming the freediver or swallowing it ( depends how you see it)
Pygmy seahorse
Photo taken in Philippines
During the dive, my divemaster signaled me to look at the pygmy seahorse, but I couldn’t see it due to its camouflage skills. When I finally spotted it through my lens and managed to focus, a strong current made it impossible to take the shot. After the current passed and several failed attempts, I was finally able to capture this image.
A rare and intimate encounter with a dugong, captured while freediving off the coast of Egypt. With only an estimated 30 individuals remaining in the Red Sea, dugongs face immense threats from habitat loss, pollution, and unsustainable tourism. As a keystone species, they are vital to the health of seagrass meadows, which serve as carbon sinks and critical marine habitats, underscoring the urgent need for strengthened conservation efforts.
A curious Australian sea lion, the world’s most endangered pinniped, poses among vibrant kelp in South Australia’s clear waters. Known for their playful nature and intelligence, these marine mammals exude personality, as captured in this moment. Listed as Endangered, they face threats from habitat loss, pollution, and bycatch. This portrait highlights their charm and the urgent need to protect these remarkable creatures and their fragile habitats.
A breathtaking moment unfolds as a diver becomes one with the natural world, entirely immersed within a wall of silvery school fish. The sheer scale and density of the sardine school is awe-inspiring. This magnificent phenomenon, known as the sardine run, reveals thousands of sardines moving in unison, forming a shimmering, living wall during their annual migration to warmer waters near Panglao island, Philippines —a true spectacle of nature’s rhythm and harmony.
Before sunrise, in the deep ocean shadows, the thresher shark unveils its mystery. Hours of waiting in scarce light, breath synchronized with its fleeting ascent. In the intense blue, its powerful tail traces the perfect motion, a moment stolen from the depths, where patience and nature unite in a portrait of wild grace.
A panning shot of a juvenile Pinnate batfish. Using a snooted light source and a camera movement paired with a slow shutter speed, the stunning orange lines that surround this species of batfish only during the early stages of its life shine, creating the effect of brushes painting the scene.
Живет среди щупальцев или под их кольцом на больших актиниях. Анемоновый фарфоровый краб относится к организмам – фильтраторам. Он поглощает планктон из воды, используя 1 пару верхних челюстей, а также 2 пары нижних челюстей, которые имеют специальные щеточки. Анемоновый фарфоровый краб отличается от других видов крабов числом конечностей, участвующих при передвижении. Он использует только три пары ног (четвертая пара скрывается под панцирем), тогда как другие виды крабов передвигаются на четырех.
After several nights of searching without success, on the fourth night we prepared for the blackwater dive and descended with our divemaster. However, that night we didn’t find anything interesting, just a few jellyfish, along with plenty of stings. The dive came to an end, we surfaced and began taking off our gear on the boat. Suddenly, we heard in the distance: "Blanket! Blanket! Blanket!" We quickly put our gear back on and jumped into the water. Being face-to-face with this majestic creature made it all worth diving in again.
A mesmerizing encounter between human and the natural world beneath the surface, as a diver appears to be completely immersed in the underwater scenery forming by the coral reefs and thousands of sardines moving in synchronized harmony, forming a shimmering, living formation during their annual migration to warmer waters near Panglao Island in Bohol, Philippines.
A family of sperm whales rubbing their heads together while socializing, sharing the love and close bond between family members.
Observation has show that sperm whales raise their young in communal family groups made up of related females. These intelligent mammals are known for their strong social bonds and tight-knit family structure, where individuals frequently interact with their favorite siblings, aunts, and grandmothers.
And sperm whale families regularly socialize with each other and cooperate in caring for their young, providing a unique example of cooperative care within the animal kingdom.
A rare sighting of sperm whale calf nursing from its mother in the easten waters of Africa sea, near Reunion Island. The young calf pushes its lower jaw into the nipple cavity and the mother squirts the milk into the baby\'s mouth underwater. However, because young whale cannot breathe and nurse at the same time, therefore breastfeeding events are typically quite short.
The sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is the largest of the toothed whales and the largest toothed predator in the ocean.
Milk of sperm whale has a higher fat content than terrestrial mammals: about 36%, compared to 4% in cow milk.And the sperm whale calfs rely on their mother\'s milk for sustenance in their first one or two years
A diver finds themselves at the heart of a mesmerizing vortex of silver fish, capturing the dynamism and energy of marine life. Sunlight filters through the water, illuminating every detail of this stunning natural spectacle and showcasing the unique connection between the diver and the underwater world.
Amid corals whispering tales of resilience, the turtle rests upon her throne of colors. Her calm mirrors what the sea still holds, yet with every flick of her flippers, the ocean screams silently—her home fades into memory. Will we hear its plea before it becomes an echo?
A Southern Stingray patrols a healthy seagrass meadow in the Bahamas. Seagrass beds are among the world’s most productive and ecologically important ecosystems, playing a pivotal role in mitigating climate change by capturing and storing carbon dioxide from our atmosphere at a rate much faster than forests. They also serve as nurseries and habitats for a diversity of marine life, including elasmobranchs. As both predator and prey, rays help maintain the food web by feeding on buried invertebrates, aerating the seafloor, promoting nutrient cycling, and aiding in seed dispersal, which fosters the growth and expansion of these critical habitats.
A playful Humpback Whale calf pauses gracefully at the surface in the deep blue of the South Pacific Ocean. A dreamlike scene, which I hope inspires a greater fascination for the wonders of our incredible ocean and the dream to experience and protect it.
In the depths of the ocean, the shark moves with precision and power, a hunter perfectly adapted to its environment. Every movement is calculated, every strike a dance between survival and instinct. As it feeds, nature reveals its balance—the chain of life unfolding in a spectacle both formidable and essential. In the vast blue, the shark is not a villain but a key player in the delicate marine ecosystem, reminding us that every creature has a role in the ocean’s harmony
In the inky void of the abyss, a solitary octopus glows faintly, its iridescent skin rippling with bioluminescent patterns a cryptic language to deter predators. Marine biologists speculate this elusive species, discovered near unexplorer reefs vents, may hold evolutionary secrets adapted to survive Earth’s most hostile depths, its intelligence a testament to life’s resilience in darkness.
A mesmerizing encounter between human and the natural world beneath the surface, as the diver immersing and admiring the underwater scenery when the school of sardines rear up and swim packed in tightly together into thick cyclone shaped clouds during their annual migration to warmer waters near Panglao island, Philippines.
In a remote reef, a shark strikes its prey with precision, surrounded by fish scattering in a frenzy. The ocean light highlights its powerful body and sharp teeth, showcasing both its strength and its vital role in the ecosystem.
The photo captures a unique moment of the hunt, portraying the shark as a symbol of balance and power in the underwater world.
A juvenile ghost pipefish shot during a dive in Tulamben, Indonesia. They were trying hard to blend in with that feather star to hide from bigger animals.
A solitary West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus) floats peacefully in the crystal-clear waters of a North Florida spring, its reflection mirrored perfectly on the still surface above, like a window into another world.
The image shows a juvenile fish, likely a jack (Carangidae), seeking shelter among the tentacles of a jellyfish in the open ocean. This is a common example of commensalism, where the fish gains protection from predators by staying close to the jellyfish.
The silver giant is the title of this image of a manta ray in Revillagigedo in Mexico where its belly appears silver in contrast to the background of the image.
Large school of stripped eel catfish photographed while diving Anilao, Philippines. I used a slow shutter speed to capture all their motion in that water.
Считают протандическим гермафродитом (превращение самца в самку). На полувзрослой стадиях ленточные угри выглядят в основном черными, как смоль с желтым спинным плавником. У взрослых самцов черный цвет меняется на яркий сине-желтый цвет лица. Взрослая самка полностью желтая или желтая с синим оттенком на заднем конце.
In the depths of Providencia, Colombia, the reef comes alive under the watchful gaze of its guardians. From the sandy bottom, the camera lens points upward toward the underwater sky, where three majestic sharks circle calmly, their silhouettes striking against the light streaming down from the surface.
Juvenile sea lions, known as the puppies of the sea, are playful and curious. They often approach divers, engaging in playful interactions and gentle bites, much like puppies.
A silver storm unfolds before my eyes. Countless jackfish gather, swirling like a living tornado, shifting their pace as if guided by an unseen force. With every beam of sunlight that pierces the water, their metallic bodies shimmer, resembling stars dancing in the depths of the ocean
This photo shows a baby lemon shark cruising through red mangroves in the Bahamas. Lemon shark pups spend up to the first 4 years of their lives in shallow mangrove environments, where they are more protected from predators. I particularly loved the scene created by red mangrove roots in this area, and I was hoping a shark pup would swim over these roots. Luckily, one did, and I was able to snap this shot!
Exploring the depths of a submerged cave, divers illuminate the surroundings with beams of light, revealing impressive stalactites and geological formations. This image captures the sense of mystery and adventure of a technical dive in one of the most challenging and fascinating underwater settings.
Indonesia - Lembeh Strait: during an afternoon dive I encountered a young bathfish hidden by a branch of hard coral; I photographed it using a flash with back snoot
A technical diver carefully observes a school of fish forming an impressive silhouette, resembling the shape of a heart or even a boat. This unique composition highlights the natural synchronicity of marine life and the serenity of the ocean floor. The interaction between the diver and the school creates a special connection, celebrating the harmony between humans and the underwater world.
Mexico – Isla Magdalena
we encounter a school of mackerel in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 70 miles from the coast of Baja California, which was attacked by sea lions, dolphin fish and marlin. Living in the midst of this banquet of marine nature is a unique emotion.
The Sea Wolf is the title of this photo taken on Espiritu Santo Island in Baja California - Mexico. Los Islotes is the specific point where dozens of these magnificent and sweet mammals interact positively with man.
Blacktip Reef Sharks swim in a shallow lagoon at sunset in French Polynesia. Sharks are critical for healthy marine ecosystems, yet globally many species are threatened with extinction due to overfishing and other human impacts. However, French Polynesia has created one of the largest shark sanctuaries in the world which provides a beautiful vision of what conservation initiatives can achieve.
A coconut octopus finding shelter between two discarded seashells. This species of octopus is known for collecting coconut shells (hence the name) and using them to build individual fortresses, which they then carry with them across the seabed.
Опасная красота.
Фото сделано на Филиппинах, на острове Негрос. Здесь представлены два вида животного мира, один из них - каракатица, а вот второй выдаёт себя за растение - это Гидроид, обжигающее и опасное даже для человека.
A curious redhead blenny (Emblemaria pandionis) peers out from its rocky crevice, its green-ringed eyes and fleshy head projections (cirri) giving it a distinctive, expressive look.
Hiding among the sand and coral, the mantis shrimp waits with perfect patience, its compound eyes scanning every detail around it. With one of the most advanced visual systems in the animal kingdom, it can see colors and polarized light in ways the human eye could never imagine. Then, in an instant, it strikes with the speed of a bullet, unleashing a force strong enough to shatter shells and defy the laws of physics. In the waters of the Philippines, this incredible creature reminds us that in the underwater world, power is not just about size but about precision, perception, and the flawless evolution of nature
The Favorinus maribilis, a marine nudibranch famous for its vibrant colors. To capture its beauty in a special way, I decided to use a snoot, focusing the light directly on the subject to highlight its details and textures. Inspired by the majesty of the Aurora Borealis, I added a touch of pink light that simulates the undulating waves of this natural phenomenon, creating a contrast between the nudibranch’s natural colors and the surrounding pink hue.
photo of a giant manta ray right on the surface giving the impression of something in orbit with the blue background being the Earth. I took the image in the Revillagigedo Archipelago in Mexico where these incredible fish can be seen quite frequently.
Sea anemones come in various colours and shapes. They are well distributed in False Bay of the Cape Peninsula. The false plum sea anemones can reach sizes of up to 20 cm. They are filter feeders but also prey on small crustaceans and molluscs. They have sticky tentacles with stinging cells that may draw their prey inward to a central mouth. The prey is deposited into a gastric cavity, further subdued by internal stinging cells and slowly digested by gastric enzymes. The false plum sea anemone has a colourful voluptuous mouth and inviting tentacles but can deliver a nasty sting to humans.
A majestic manta ray glides gracefully through the depths, accompanied by a vibrant school of yellow snappers that light up the scene. This unique composition captures the harmony between the manta’s imposing elegance and the synchronized movement of the fish, showcasing the incredible diversity of the underwater world.
Close up of Flabellina affinis. It feeds exclusively on hydrozoans of the Eudendrium genus (Eudendrium glomeratum, Eudendrium racemosum, Eudendrium ramosum), whose stinging cells it uses for defense, after having stored them in the cerata ( the orange appendages clearly visible in this photo) of the digestive system. Photo taken in June 2024 using macro lens 100 mm and two strobes TTL.
Bavosa cervina. It has a smooth body, without scales, compressed laterally. The head is large, the cheeks swollen, the profile of the muzzle almost vertical. As can be seen in this photo, on the upper edge of the orbit there are appendages branched like deer antlers. There are appendages on both the lower and upper nostrils. Other non-fringed appendages may be immediately behind the eyes_ October 2023
This photo was taken in Kingdom of Tonga. We got to see some very friendly humpback whale. We got very close quickly. I\'m happy to be able to capture everyone enjoying the sea together.
Knowing his habits is important. Flabellina affinis has a specialized diet based on hydroid polyps so just look for the colonies of these polyps (similar to small bushes often positioned on the tops of rocks to catch more current) to find it more easily. Like this one found at 13 meters deep near the Formica rock where I usually dive during the summer_June 2024
Blue dragon nudibranch (Pteraeolidia semperi).Due to its large size and diurnal habits, it is one of the most commonly-sighted aeolid in the South China Sea. Very beautiful but too long for my 100 mm lens!_Feb 2024
This was a tiny blenny fish hiding inside a hard coral structure. My dive buddy found this funny guy while diving in Anilao, Philippines. I used some color lights to give an interesting touch to his background.
Melibe Collemani, this totally transparent nudibranch is called the holy grail of nudibranchs. Not only because is it very rare, but it is also very difficult to capture due to its transparency. I used 2 snoot
As dusk settles over a hidden reef in the Philippines, divers gather in silence, waiting for the magical moment when the elusive mandarinfish makes its appearance. The sun’s light fades, and in the dim twilight of the ocean, the reef seems to hold its breath.
Among the coral branches, a burst of vibrant color emerges—a male mandarinfish glides gracefully, its iridescent skin shimmering with orange, blue, and green patterns. With delicate, deliberate movements, it searches for its mate, and soon, a female appears. Together, the two fish begin a hypnotic dance, spiraling upward in gentle swirls, their colors glowing as if lit from within.
The camera waits for the perfect moment: just as the pair rises a few inches above the reef, releasing their eggs into the water in a fleeting instant. Capturing this scene is a challenge; time is short, the light is faint, and the magic is ephemeral. Yet, the result is an image where the vibrant details of the mandarinfish and the delicacy of their mating ritual are frozen in time—a colorful and ethereal treasure from the depths of the Philippines.
An adult painted painted frogfish sits on a rope in midwater, deploying its lure to attract smaller fish that will be his lunch. Backlit with an orange-filtered torch and highlighted with a frontal snooted strobe.
Coral crab. A small crab anchored between the branches of a coral about 12 meters deep.
Susanna photographed it during a dive at Havelock Island with a 60mm macro lens plus an additional lens to reduce the focusing distance. She was looking for nudibranchs and I found him, careful to scan the external environment with watchful eyes like those of a guardian._April2024
Креветка Креноида, но на фото есть еще одно существо, подглядывающее за фотографом. Маленькая рыбка живущая вместе с креветкой в тесной квартире, но что удивительно, они никогда не ссорятся.
Portrait of a flying fish shot during a black water dive in Tulamben, Indonesia. If you zoom into this photo you can also see a hitchhiking bug on it\'s wings. That was a surprise bonus.
A small yellow goby, possibly a Yellow Pygmy Goby (Lubricogobius exiguus), peers out from the opening of a discarded glass bottle on the ocean floor. Its bright blue eyes contrast with the golden glow inside the bottle, which has become its makeshift home. The encrusting marine life on the bottle’s surface highlights how human debris can become part of the underwater ecosystem.
A pod of spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) swimming in formation in the crystal clear water and sparkling light of Indian Ocean.
When dolphins are together, it is easier for them to survive if they cooperate with each other, either through communication or intimidating the predator. Dolphins depend on this interaction for hunting, mating and defending themselves.
– Рейтинг фотографов по странам и городам строится на основе 3-х лучших фотографий автора и их относительной позиции в каждой отдельной номинации. Рейтинг в номинации "Мобильная фотография" учитывается в меньшей степени для формирования рейтинга. В списке по странам и городам показывается одна фотография автора с лучшим рейтингом.
– В списке опубликованы только работы которые прошли 2-й этап голосования.
– В рейтинге лучших фотографий учитывается только одна — самая сильная — работа от каждого автора. Даже если у фотографа опубликовано несколько работ, в расчёте позиции используется только одна, с наивысшим рейтингом. Поэтому порядок фотографий в списке может не совпадать с итоговым положением автора в рейтинге.
– The rating of photographers by countries and cities is based on the three best photos of the author and their relative position in each separate nomination. Rating in the nomination "Mobile Photography" is taken into account to a lesser extent for rating formation. The list by country and city shows one photo of the author with the best rating.
– Only those photos have been published in the list that passed the second stage of voting.
– Only one strongest photo from each author is counted in the Best Photos ranking. Even if a photographer has several published works, only the highest-rated one is used to calculate their ranking position. As a result, the order of photos in the list may not match the author's final ranking position.
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