Winners Gallery
1st place Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Rafael Fernandez Caballero Strait of Gibraltar, Spain
A pod of pilot whales pose for a family portrait. "Pilot whales are incredibly special and intelligent beings that enjoy tight family bonds," says photographer Rafael Fernandez Caballero. "They are curious and territorial, so most encounters involve them coming close to see what you want. With love and respect most moments are about a unique interaction, playful moments with different members of each family. This particular picture represents one of the first encounters of that day. A whole family came together to welcome me and to make sure I wasn't a threat."
BEHIND THE LENS
Rafael Fernandez Caballero Spain
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Warm day, no wind
- Excellent visibility
- Midday shoot
- Taken while freediving
MORE IMAGES BY Rafael Fernandez Caballero
The OceanPhotographer of the Year
2024 Baja California Sur, Mexico
WildlifePhotographer of the Year
2024 Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Conservation (Impact)Photographer of the Year
2022 Spain
Conservation (Impact)Photographer of the Year
2022 Mexico
WildlifePhotographer of the Year
2022 Bermeo, Spain
Reconnect. Immerse yourself. Be inspired.
Enjoy the vibrancy, beauty and impact of each year's finalist photography, celebrated in our Ocean Photographer of the Year coffee table book collection.