Winners Gallery
Finalist Conservation (Impact) Photographer of the Year
Henley Spiers South China Sea
A sicklefin devil ray (Mobula tarapacana) struggles in a drift net during a night fishing operation. Although often caught unintentionally, these rays can face devastating consequences when fishermen remove them while protecting their nets. With slow reproduction and small litters, this species is highly vulnerable to fishing pressure and is now classified as Endangered by the IUCN. Taken during weeks spent aboard a fishing vessel, this image documents the hidden reality of offshore fishing, where survival in the net does not always mean escape.
BEHIND THE LENS
Henley Spiers United Kingdom (UK)
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Accessed by boat
- Taken from the surface
- Nikon D850, Nikon 16-35mm, Godox V1 flash
- f/4.0, 1/30, ISO 2000
Henley Spiers is an award-winning underwater photographer, storyteller, and expedition leader, widely recognised as one of the leading voices in contemporary ocean photojournalism. Henley combines technical skill with a storyteller’s eye to create images that reflect both the wonder and vulnerability of the natural world. In recognition of his narrative approach, he was named the first-ever Storyteller in Residence for Oceanographic Magazine. He was named Ocean Fine Art Photographer of the Year (2024) and awarded the Grand Prize at HIPA (2022). His portfolio also includes major honours from the Nature Photographer of the Year, Environmental Photography Award, European Wildlife Photographer of the Year, as well as the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year. His photography has been widely published, including in National Geographic, The Sunday Times, Der Spiegel, The Economist, BBC Wildlife Magazine, and The Guardian.
MORE IMAGES BY Henley Spiers
Conservation (Impact)Photographer of the Year
2025 Mexico
Conservation (Hope)Photographer of the Year
2024 The Maldives
Fine ArtPhotographer of the Year
2024 Baja California Sur, Mexico
Fine ArtPhotographer of the Year
2024 Devon, England
WildlifePhotographer of the Year
2023 Baja California Sur, Mexico
Fine ArtPhotographer of the Year
2023 Isle of Noss, Scotland
Conservation (Hope)Photographer of the Year
2023 Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Collective Portfolio Award
2020 Philippines