Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026, LETCAR6 - Oceanographic

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Finalist Adventure Photographer of the Year

Leticia Carbajal Mexico

20.2810° N 87.4621° W

Deep inside Yab Yum cave, Mexico, leaves falling from the jungle above have accumulated underwater, forming a mound nearly 10 metres high. As the leaves slowly decompose, they release hydrogen sulphide, creating delicate, smoke-like veils that drift through the water. This remarkable scene reveals the hidden cycles of life and decomposition deep beneath the jungle.

BEHIND THE LENS

Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026, LETCAR6

Leticia Carbajal Spain

  • Follow Leticia On Instagram

ABOUT THE IMAGE

  • Cave diving
  • Sony A7R IV & 16-35mm lens
  • ISO 1000, f-5, 1/125

Leticia Carbajal, AKA Lethyfoon, is a Spanish underwater photographer with over ten years of experience documenting the ocean's beauty. Originally trained as a PhD in Physics, she left academia to pursue her passion for diving and underwater photography full-time. Her career has taken her around the world, including Thailand, Indonesia and Maldives capturing diverse marine life and underwater environments. Now based in Mexico, Leticia is also a full cave diver, specializing in photographing caves and cenotes. Leticias work has been recognized in diverse photography contests such as the Underwater Photographer of the Year. Through her images, she combines exploration, technical expertise and artistic vision to inspire appreciation and conservation of the underwater world.

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.

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