Winners Gallery
Finalist Conservation (Hope) Photographer of the Year
Hugo Bret Seychelles
M.Sc. student Viktoria Sturm fills a Coral Bleaching Automated Stress System (CBASS) tank with freshly harvested coral fragments for a heat-stress experiment. Based in Seychelles, her research aims to determine the tolerance and resilience of four locally-found reef-building coral species to temperature increases in order to enhance coral restoration practices.
"With this image, I tried to capture the attention and care Viktoria Sturm gave to the coral fragments," say Bret, "underlining the close connection between human beings and coral reefs, as well as the critical importance of scientific research to mitigate biodiversity erosion."
BEHIND THE LENS
Hugo Bret France
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Early morning shoot
- 42 degrees Celsius lab temperature
- Shot during an experiment
- F/5.6, 1/100S, ISO 100
With a background in marine biology, Hugo has spent the last few years immersed in ocean conservation initiatives around the world, combining scientific research with conservation and underwater photography. His storytelling work focuses on documenting scientists’ fieldwork, anthropogenic pressures on marine life, and the stories of those on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
IMAGES BY Hugo Bret
Conservation (Impact)Photographer of the Year
2025 Faroe Islands
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.
