Callum Rogers, Animals of the Ocean (ANIMALS 2026)

Each of these images comes from a moment where time slowed and the ocean felt less like a place and more like a presence. The blue shark was photographed as night began to fall, the Mexican sunset bleeding into the water. There was a calm tension in that moment, light fading, colour shifting, and this quiet predator moving effortlessly through it all. Nothing rushed, nothing forced. Just being there, sharing the same space. In Tonga, the encounter with the humpback whale was deeply personal. Floating eye-to-eye with an ocean giant, I felt an overwhelming sense of connection and respect. It wasn’t about the size or power of the animal, but the stillness. The Californian sea lion brought a completely different energy. Fast, curious, and full of intent, it circled tightly as it herded sardines into a meal. Chaos and precision at the same time. Watching it hunt was a reminder of how alive and dynamic the ocean really is. All three images were captured while free-diving, without barriers or tanks, just breath, instinct, and trust. These moments are why I keep returning to the water: not to chase images, but to experience connection, movement, and the quiet privilege of being allowed into another world.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.