Tiny paper nautilus using ocean particles wins Ocean Photographer of the 12 months 2023

The wait is over – after showcasing its gorgeous finalists, the Ocean Photographer of the Year has now introduced its 2023 winners. The primary place was awarded to 25-year-old marine biologist and novice photographer Jialing Cai for her gorgeous picture of a paper nautilus floating on a chunk of ocean particles. In fact, there are extra fantastic pictures within the choice, and we share them on this article so we are able to get pleasure from them collectively.

Along with her profitable picture, Cai beat hundreds of entries from amateurs and professionals the world over. She took the picture on a blackwater dive after a volcanic eruption within the Philippines. Cai was impressed to start out photographing on blackwater dives after studying about diel vertical migration, when zooplankton transfer from the deep ocean to the floor at evening. “That hit me like lightning,” Cai mentioned. “My professor was telling me the deep sea was inside my attain, that it will come to me. That realization was mind-blowing. It’s why [I’ve become] so obsessive about blackwater pictures.”

© Jialing Cai/Ocean Photographer of the 12 months 2023

Andrei Savin was named runner-up together with his astonishing picture of a crab sitting in the midst of a sea anemone. Third place was awarded to Alvaro Herrero Lopez-Beltran for his distressing however thought-provoking picture of an entangled whale.

Aside from the general winner and runner-ups, the competitors additionally acknowledges winners in these 9 classes:

  • Journey
  • Conservation – HOPE
  • Conservation – IMPACT
  • Nice Artwork
  • Human Connection
  • Portfolio
  • Wildlife
  • Younger Photographer
  • Feminine Fifty Fathoms

Like many contests dedicated to nature, the Ocean Photographer of the 12 months doesn’t solely intention to point out the great thing about the ocean. It illuminates each the marvels of the deep blue and the urgent threats it faces. Oceanographic Magazine stands behind this contest, partnering with Blancpain, Arksen, and Tourism Western Australia this 12 months.

So, with out additional ado, let’s benefit from the class winners and runner-ups from this 12 months’s Ocean Photographer of the 12 months. All photographs will likely be showcased at a 5-month exhibition in Sydney, Australia. However if you happen to dwell in different components of the world, make sure that to take a look at the competition’s website and benefit from the full number of pictures from the 2023 contest.

Journey

Conservation – HOPE

Conservation – IMPACT

Nice Artwork

Human Connection

Portfolio

First place – Sirachai Arunrugstichai

Second place – Renee Capozzola

Third place – Kat Zhou

Wildlife

Younger Photographer

Feminine Fifty Fathoms

© Merche Llobera/Ocean Photographer of the 12 months 2023 – first place