WINNERS GALLERY

A freediver swims with a matriarchal pod of five sperm whales. "Being accepted into their intimacy is not for everybody," says photographer Franco Banfi. "Only the more respectful, self-controlled, patient, relaxed and in tune with their elusive world succeeds. You have to give the whales time to know us, to scan our body with gentle clicks, to understand if we are a danger or a playmate. With wildlife, gentle interactions can happen only if we enter their element on tiptoes - nothing good happens when we are in a hurry." The picture was taken under Government permit RP 16-02/32 FIS-5.