Winners Gallery
Finalist Conservation (Hope) Photographer of the Year
Sho Otani Japan
"Capturing an image of a cardinal fish spawning at night seemed like an impossible task - it is a fleeting moment," says Otani. "On this day, in my third season of filming, I carefully approached the fish and positioned myself directly above it to avoid disturbing it, and was able to capture the scene. It was like a volcano bursting with life. During the shoot, I felt as if the mystery of life was finally revealed to me, and that if we remembered how to respect nature, it would surely accept us again."
BEHIND THE LENS
Sho Otani Japan
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- 9pm shoot
- Site accessed by boat
- 2 years to capture this image
- F/18, 1/250, iso 80
Sho is an underwater photographer based in Japan, devoted to capturing the hidden beauty of the Okinawa Islands, particularly at night. Specialising in nocturnal diving, Sho has spent years documenting the miraculous encounters that unfold in the dark sea, especially the fleeting appearances of newborn marine life drifting like jewels in the vast ocean. His work centres on the theme of “encounters in the night sea,” celebrating the wonder and fragility of these rare moments. Through his images, Sho offers a glimpse into a world few ever see, guided by a deep reverence for its mystery and magic.
