Winners Gallery
2nd place Ocean Portfolio Award
Giancarlo Mazarese Bali, Indonesia
Doto greenamyeri, a species of sea slug, lays its eggs. Due to its appearance, the nudibranch is often nicknamed the ‘donut sea slug’. “This is my first time to encounter this sea slug while laying its eggs,” says Mazarese.
All of Giancarlo's Collective Portfolio Award entry
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BEHIND THE LENS
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Clear skies
- Morning shoot
- 28 degrees Celsius water temperature
- Coastal walk-in
The sheep nudibranch Costasiella kuroshimae deposits its eggs in a circular arrangement while feeding on algae which enables kleptoplasty – effectively making the nudibranch ‘solar-powered’. “The algal substrate provides a microhabitat for early egg development,” explains Mazarese. “It demonstrates the relationship between feeding, habitat selection, and reproductive success.”
BEHIND THE LENS
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Morning shoot
- Calm seas
- Taken while scuba diving
- Site accessed by boat
“Favorinus tsuruganus feeds on the eggs of another gastropod species, demonstrating a canny ability to obtain nutrients efficiently while minimising foraging effort”, says Mazarese. By preying on eggs, the nudibranch regulates local gastropod populations and influences the dynamics of the reef.
BEHIND THE LENS
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Clear skies
- Mid-morning
- Site accessed by boat
- Shot while scuba diving
The hairy shrimp (Phycocaris simulans) carries its eggs beneath its abdomen, providing protection until they hatch. “The eggs are guarded by the female – a common reproductive strategy among small caridean shrimps, demonstrating the adaptive mechanisms used to maximise reproductive success,” Mazarese explains.
BEHIND THE LENS
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Shot while scuba diving
- Site accessed by boat
- 26 degrees Celsius water temperature
- Mid-morning shoot
A black goby deposits its eggs on a fragment of Tubastraea micranthus while the male guards the clutch. “This is critical for the reproductive success of the species, particularly in reef environments where egg predation is high,” says Mazarese.
BEHIND THE LENS
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Shot while scuba diving
- Site accessed by boat
- Calm conditions
- Morning shoot
Between two sea squirts, a goby cradles its eggs. “The brilliant colours of the ascidians frame this quiet sanctuary,” says Mazarese. “The pulse of the reef underscores the fragility and resilience of the brood, as the male stands guard with dedication.”
BEHIND THE LENS
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Shot while scuba diving
- Site accessed by boat
- Calm conditions
- Morning shoot
Tiny cuttlefish eggs reveal the developing embryo within. One egg, illuminated using a backlit snoot, highlights the anatomy and developmental stages of the embryo. “This technique allows for a detailed observation of organogenesis and movement before hatching,” says Mazarese.
BEHIND THE LENS
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Shot while scuba diving
- Mid-morning
- Calm conditions
- Site accessed by boat
The rainbow mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus) carries its eggs until they hatch – critical for maximising survival. This image illustrates the parental care and evolutionary adaptations that enable mantis shrimps to rear their young in competitive marine ecosystems.
BEHIND THE LENS
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Shot while scuba diving
- Site accessed by boat
- Calm conditions
- Morning shoot
The yellow pygmy goby (Paragobiodon exiguus) watches over its eggs, each resting on the substrate. “In this quiet act, the goby ensures new life, demonstrating that even the smallest creatures play vital roles on the reef,” says Mazarese.
BEHIND THE LENS
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Shot while scuba-diving
- Calm conditions
- Mid-morning
- Calm conditions
Clownfish eggs (Amphiprion clarkii) are in their final developmental stage, with embryos displaying well-formed eyes and internal organs. “During my safety stops, I always check the area for anemones and eggs,” says Mazarese. “In this case, I was lucky; the eggs were developed, and the eyes of the clownfish were already visible.”
BEHIND THE LENS
Giancarlo Mazarese Italy
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Clear skies, strong winds
- Mid-afternoon
- Rough seas
- Coastal walk-in
Giancarlo Mazarese is an underwater photographer driven by a lifelong passion for the ocean. After years as a project manager in real estate, he shifted paths and discovered diving in 2015, then underwater photography a year later. Since then, he's traveled extensively across the Mediterranean and tropics, capturing striking marine imagery in destinations like the Philippines, Indonesia, the Maldives, and Mexico. Giancarlo’s work has been featured in leading publications and recognised in international competitions.
IMAGES BY Giancarlo Mazarese
Conservation (Impact)Photographer of the Year
2025 Philippines
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