Ocean Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023, NH - Oceanographic (Staging)
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3rd place Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Nicholas Holton Bronte, Sydney

33°54'17.6"S 151°16'28.6"E

"One of the ocean’s largest mammals, the humpback whale, lands gracefully on its back after launching its enormous frame out of the depths of the Pacific Ocean," says Holton. "Studying whale behaviour and understanding their motivations for breaching, coupled with endless hours spent optimising flight and camera settings, helped to freeze this beautiful moment in time that I call ‘Imprint of a Giant’. The annual humpback whale migration up the east coast of Australia sees Sydney come alive with ever-increasing numbers of whales, bringing joy to everyone along the way."  

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BEHIND THE LENS

Ocean Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023, NH

Nicholas Holton Australia

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ABOUT THE IMAGE

  • Crisp winter day
  • Light offshore breeze
  • Flat ocean
  • Taken from coastal cliffs using drone

Reconnect. Immerse yourself. Be inspired.

Enjoy the vibrancy, beauty and impact of each year's finalist photography, celebrated in our Ocean Photographer of the Year coffee table book collection.

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