Behind the Shots: Ocean Photographer of the Year 2024

Every year Oceanographic Magazine holds one of the most prestigious and widely publicized photo competitions, the Ocean Photographer of the Year (OPY). Winners are featured not just in photography editorials but in legacy media like The BBC, The Atlantic, as well as editorials like Forbes, science journals like Live Science, museum publications like My Modern Met and The Smithsonian. OPY can help put an underwater photographer on the map, and they dish out some cool prizes too.

We got to chat with a few Ikelite customers who won big this year to get a behind the scenes look at their shots.

Manuel Castellanos Raboso

1st Place | Wildlife

See the shot on oceanographicmagazine.com

The image was captured on December 4th, 2023, at 8:30 AM (Baja California time), at the precise coordinates: 23°58'10.7" N, 111°27'45.5" W.

The conditions were ideal, with clear and sunny skies, 23 km/h winds, and a temperature of 29°C. I was freediving and snorkeling in the following water conditions:
• Swell: approximately 1 meter
• Visibility: 30-40 meters
• Water temperature: 27°C
• Light currents and numerous particles in the water from the feeding activity.

We traveled on a small boat, called a "Panga" in Mexico. I’ve been visiting this area for two years (2021 and 2023), trying to capture and document the essence of the hunt and the feeding frenzy that occurs annually. This year, I was the trip lead, spending three days on the water, over 12 hours a day. By the time I captured this image, I had already spent around 16 hours at sea in this trip.

This encounter was truly exceptional. The bait ball remained semi-static, allowing us to approach while carefully avoiding the mahi-mahi, which moved like torpedoes through the water. To safely enjoy encounters like this, it’s important to travel with professional guides and respect the animals' boundaries. When you do, it becomes a magical moment that everyone can share and enjoy.

The image shows a triumphant Mahi-Mahi proudly clutching a smaller fish in its mouth, a symbol of victory amidst the feeding frenzy. Its vibrant yellow and green hues shimmer under the refracted sunlight against the stunning blue of the Pacific Ocean. This scene captures the essence of the hunt and the dynamic energy of Baja’s marine life, in one of my favorite places on Earth!

Equipment Used
• Canon 5D Mk IV with Canon EF 8-15mm f/4 FISHEYE USM
• Ikelite housing 200DL + 8-inch compact dome to minimize drag in the water, perfect for dynamic photography.

Camera Settings
• Focal length: 15mm
• Shutter speed: 1/400 sec
• Aperture: f/8
• ISO: 500

About Manuel
My name is Manuel Castellanos Raboso, and I hail from Toledo, Spain. I first took my camera underwater on September 5th, 2020, using the same Ikelite housing I still use today—a true testament to its quality.

Connect with Manuel
• Instagram @oneofmanytales
• Website www.oneofmanytales.com
• For inquiries about trips or water adventures—whether scuba diving or water safaris — Email: info@oneofmanytales.com or WhatsApp: +1 (650) 564-7662

Mizael Palomeque Gonzalez

Finalist | Fine Art

Eagle Ray image by Mizael Palomeque finalist winner on OPY Awards 2024

See the shot on oceanographicmagazine.com

This image was captured in October 2022 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

I started receiving many bull shark sighting reports during October, so we headed out as part of a shark monitoring project called Baalche Proyecto Azul. We had noticed years before that many of them (bull sharks) arrive with big bite mating marks, so I was on the mission to document them.

As the dive went by, I saw no sharks at all. I was a bit disappointed as my wife signaled me it was time to surface when something caught my eye. It was this beautiful eagle ray, swimming calmly through the sandy bottom, exposed to us all. I was amazed, nature inspires the most revolutionary creations, its skin pattern just as a binary code.

I have been diving in this area for about 7 years, though bull sharks are usually my objective here, eagle rays have always been on my bucket list. Every time I saw one it was from quite a distance, so this encounter was both a surprise and dream come true.

Equipment Used
• Canon EOS RS with Canon EF 100 mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
• Ikelite 200 DL Underwater Housing

Camera Settings
• Focal length: 100mm
• Shutter speed: 1/320 sec
• Aperture: f/8
• ISO: 125

About Mizael
I have been a photographer for more than 17 years, documenting the underwater world for the past 7 years. Most of my underwater work helps on-going research programs and environmental education programs. My goal is to use my work to contribute to our Ocean's conservation.

Contact Mizael
• Instagram @mizaelpalomeque
• Website www.baalche.com

See More
• Featured Customer | Baálche Photography Win a World Cup
• Event | Underwater Photography and Shark Conservation Workshop | December 14, 2024

Clayton Harris

Finalist | Wildlife

See the shot on oceanographicmagazine.com

A breaching humpback whale on its migration path along the East Australian coastline.

I headed out to sea, to catch a glimpse of these majestic ocean travelers. With the smell of forest fires in the distance, a smoggy haze blanketed the horizon, softening the background of my composition. After sighting some activity in the distance, I readied myself in anticipation. All of a sudden, an inquisitive juvenile surfaced near the boat, followed by this fully grown humpback whale lunging from the depths. It towered above us, in what can only be described as the most incredible display of power by an animal.

Equipment Used
• Sony a7R IV with Sony 100-400mm GM Lens

Camera Settings
• Focal length: 100mm
• Shutter speed: 1/1250 sex
• Aperture: f/4.5
• ISO 160
• Subject Tracking Autofocus

Connect with Clayton
• Instagram @clay10harris
• Website www.claytonharrisphotography.com