Winners Gallery
Finalist Fine Art Photographer of the Year
Dylan de Haas Australia
"While driving along the beach with my family, I noticed a manta ray just beyond the shoreline," says de Haas. "I launched the drone and discovered five of them cruising no more than five metres from shore. Calm water, soft waves, and pristine clarity made this rare sight possible. Moments like this are a gift, but also a reminder of what’s at stake. These gentle giants face increasing pressure from warming seas and human impact. To witness them so close, undisturbed, was powerful. We swam alongside them later, humbled by their presence. This image captures that still, fleeting connection with the wild."
BEHIND THE LENS
Dylan de Haas Australia
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Midday
- No swell
- Calm, clear water
- Shot from the coast
Dylan is an underwater photographer, researcher and firefighter. He specialises in capturing the ocean from both above and below the surface. He’s driven by a passion for conservation and a desire to reveal rarely seen moments or perspectives. He uses light, movement, and story to connect people with the beauty and rawness of the ocean.
