Bryde’s whales, also known as “broodus,” belong to the baleen family, which includes other majestic creatures like humpback and blue whales. Recently, one of these hungry marine giants was captured by Rafael Fernández Caballero, earning him the prestigious title of Ocean Photographer of the Year for 2024.

Reflecting on this extraordinary moment, Caballero described it as the most special and craziest moment of his life. He was able to capture a Bryde’s whale feeding on a baitball, a tight gathering of fish that form a protective sphere to ward off predators. This stunning photo stood out among more than 15,000 entries across various categories, from underwater shots to drone photography.

The second-place award went to Jade Hoksbergen, who captured a northern gannet diving into the sea to catch its prey near the Isle of Noss in Shetland, Scotland. Thien Nguyen Ngoc secured the third-place spot with an aerial view of a fishing boat surrounded by swirling smoke and green netting.

For more captivating entries from this year’s competition, you can explore the full gallery on the Ocean Photographer of the Year website. Stay updated on forthcoming exhibitions by following them on Instagram.

The competition also recognized other exceptional photographers, such as Shane Gross, who won the Ocean Portfolio Award for his image of baby plainfin midshipman fish in British Columbia, Canada. Additionally, highly commended entries included Byron Conroy’s adventure category photo of a scuba diver exploring the Silfra fissure in Iceland and Jake Wilton’s wildlife category shot of a rare leucistic green sea turtle in Papua New Guinea’s Conflict Islands.

Romeo Bodolai’s second-place entry in the Human Connection category depicted a fisherman using a traditional fishing technique in Myanmar, while Pietro Formis received a highly commended mention in the Fine Art category for capturing a juvenile African pompano in Anilao, Philippines. Lastly, Tobias Friedrich’s adventure category photo showcased a humpback whale feeding on Atlantic herring in Northern Norway.

These remarkable images not only showcase the beauty and diversity of marine life but also highlight the talent and dedication of underwater photographers. By capturing these breathtaking moments, they bring attention to the importance of ocean conservation and preservation efforts. If stories and artists like these matter to you, consider becoming a Colossal Member to support independent arts publishing and enjoy exclusive benefits like ad-free browsing, saving favorite articles, discounts in the Colossal Shop, members-only newsletters, and contributing to art supplies for K-12 classrooms.