Winners Gallery
Finalist The Ocean Unseen: Hidden Worlds
Mitsuna Kawai Osezaki, Japan
A ribbonfish rises vertically through the dark waters of Osezaki, Japan. Its long, silver body and delicate fins are adapted for life in the open ocean. This image was captured during a winter blackwater dive. Around the ribbonfish, a swarm of salps – small, jelly-like animals that feed on tiny particles in the ocean – creates a glimpse of life moving through the deep sea.
BEHIND THE LENS
Mitsuna Kawai Japan
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Scuba, Coastal Walk-in
- Canon R10 inside an Ikelite Housing with an Ikelite Strobe (DS160II)
- ISO200, F9, 1/160s
Mitsuna Kawai is a Japan-based Divemaster with a passion for underwater photography. Her journey began five years ago, leading her to move to Australia to explore its rich marine biodiversity—from tiny reef life to giants like sharks and whales. After returning to Japan, she made Osezaki her home base. There, winter brings a unique kind of wonder, as deep-sea creatures, larval fish, zooplankton, and many other small, mysterious life forms drift into the shallows. Captivated by these rare encounters, she aims to capture the ocean’s hidden, magical world that remains unknown to many.
