Voice of the Ocean 2019 Shot on Snorkel
The annual Voice of the Ocean Competition winners were announced at ADEX 2019 in Singapore. But that doesn’t mean we can’t keep the celebrations going! Here, we present a selection of images that qualified for the final round at ADEX, with a twist. Each of these stunning shots was taken while freediving. No tanks required!
BLUEBOTTLE SUNRISE
(Sydney, Australia)
“Thousands of bluebottle jellyfish regularly wash up all along the Sydney coastline during summer. They collect in shallow rock pools that offer perfect shooting conditions during sunrise. With their electric blue-coloured bodies and yellow-tipped tentacles, they contrast beautifully against the darkwater background. But be careful! Those long, tangling tentacles can deliver a nasty sting and in some severe cases can even cause an anaphylactic reaction. To avoid injury while shooting, I wore a full-length wetsuit and hood as well as having my buddy keeping an eye out for any other stray stingers, letting me concentrate on photographing the mesmerising movements of this marine hydrozoan.”
Grant Thomas | Scotland
Finalist of VOO 2019 Photo of the Year
SPRING MORNING
(Florida, USA)
“Early morning at Three Sisters Spring, Florida. The sun was just rising above the horizon and I dived down into the freshwater spring.
Lying on my back gazing at the sky I watched my friend swim overhead. It was such a relaxing and peaceful moment I almost forgot I was holding my breath.”
Grant Thomas | Scotland
Finalist of VOO Singapore 2019 Photo of the Year
DUCKING FOR FOOD
(Loch Lomond, Scotland)
“It was midday, the sun high in the sky, as I waded slowly into the shallow water and waited patiently for the swans to become comfortable with my presence. When they began to search for food below the waterline I just had to wait for that perfect moment.”
Grant Thomas | Scotland
Finalist of VOO Singapore 2019 Photo of the Year
BREATHE
(Maui, Hawaii)
“As turtles are air breathing reptiles, they need to come to the surface to respire. To capture this over-under, I waited patiently at the surface while the turtle rested below me and when it began to rise, I approached very slowly and waited to hit the shutter at the exact moment that it stuck its head out for a deep breath. As turtles are legally protected in Hawaii, they are accustomed to people and are found in healthy numbers.”
Renee Capozzola | USA
Finalist of VOO Singapore 2019 Photo of the Year
GIANT FACE
(Canary Islands, Spain)
“Humpback whales visit the Canary Islands all year round, but in this case, this female animal gave me the opportunity to be with her for nearly one hour.”
Eduardo Acevedo | Spain
Finalist of VOO Singapore 2019 Photo of the Year
HEAT RUN WHALES
(Tonga)
“Who doesn’t love whales and dolphins? But being smack bang in the middle of several humpback whales and a pod of rough-toothed dolphins is the epitome of experiencing Nature in all its raw glory. I have been visiting these gentle giants for 17 years, and with over 1,000 days in the water, I can only feel privileged and humbled to have spent a good portion of my life documenting these majestic creatures. I hope you get the chance to share these experiences with me one day.”
Scott Portelli | Australia
Finalist of VOO Singapore 2019 Photo of the Year
FEEDING TIME
(Taupo, New Zealand)
“Lurking in the cold water streams of New Zealand are hundreds of freshwater trout. At first they are very timid but with some patience and perseverance I was able to get close enough to photograph them feeding.”
Grant Thomas | Scotland
Finalist of VOO Singapore 2019 Photo of the Year