Winners Gallery
Finalist Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Arturo de Frias Galapagos
"Marine iguanas, endemic to the Galapagos, are one of the most iconic species in the archipelago," says de Frias. "They are like miniature dragons, especially in low angle eye-to-eye portraits like this one. This individual was resting on the black rocks of Santa Cruz Island, sunbathing after a foraging dive. By sheer luck, I photographed the split-second in which it was sneezing the excess salt it had absorbed during its dive. Sneezing is not a discomfort signal, it is perfectly natural behaviour. I made sure not to disturb the animal, shooting from a very safe distance, using a 600mm lens."
BEHIND THE LENS
Arturo de Frias Spain
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Overcast conditions
- Late morning shoot
- Shoot waist-deep in water
- F/13, 1/400s, ISO 640
Arturo de Frías is an award-winning wildlife photographer with over 25 years of experience capturing nature on land and underwater. His work has appeared in National Geographic and earned accolades from top competitions like SONY World Photography and Bird Photographer of the Year. Arturo has published eight photography books, with proceeds contributing over €180,000 to conservation and humanitarian causes. He is also the founder and president of the ADF Foundation for Sustainable Development, which uses photography to promote climate action and environmental awareness.
