“Humpback Whale and Calf Snag Prestigious Image in 2025 Underwater Photographer of the Year Competition”
# Alvaro Herrero’s “Radiant Bond” Triumphs as 2025 Underwater Photographer of the Year
The ocean is an realm filled with intrigue, elegance, and sentiment, and underwater photography possesses the remarkable capability to showcase its marvels with astonishing precision. The **2025 Underwater Photographer of the Year** contest honored this creativity, and from thousands of submissions, Spanish photographer **Alvaro Herrero (Mekan)** earned the esteemed title of **Underwater Photographer of the Year** with his stunning image, *Radiant Bond*.
## A Touching Encounter Between Mother and Calf
Herrero’s award-winning picture, captured in **Mo’orea, French Polynesia**, presents a remarkable scene between a **mother humpback whale** and her delicate newborn calf. Bathed in the early morning glow, the mother assists her calf as it surfaces for what seems to be a practice in breathing. The calf releases a few bubbles as it ascends, perhaps exploring its own body or still mastering the art of breath control.
“A touching moment between mother and baby, perfectly framed with both magnificent creatures at ease in their aquatic environment,” comments **Alex Mustard**, a judge for the competition and celebrated underwater photographer.
Herrero, who often visits **French Polynesia** during the southern winter to capture images of humpback whales, favors **early morning sessions** for their gentle and angled illumination. The resulting photograph is both personal and grand, honoring **maternal affection, sea life, and oceanic well-being**.
## A Victory for Marine Conservation
This marks not the first occasion Herrero has excelled in the contest. In **2022**, he earned the title of **Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year** with a poignant image depicting a whale’s struggle. *Radiant Bond* acts as a lyrical counterpoint—while one photograph mourned loss, this one exalts life.
The competition, which attracted **over 6,750 underwater submissions** from around the globe, showcased both the splendor and challenges facing marine ecosystems.
## Other Noteworthy Winners from the 2025 Competition
Herrero’s *Radiant Bond* was among many exceptional submissions that captivated onlookers. Other prominent winners included:
– **Ruruka (Korea)**, recognized as **Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year** for *Underwater Aurora*, a captivating image of a **cenote sinkhole in Mexico**.
– **Robert Marc Lehmann (Germany)**, awarded the title of **Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year** for a haunting photograph of an **Indonesian fisherman pulling a deceased tiger shark**—a vivid reminder of the environmental dangers confronting marine organisms.
– **David Alpert (UK)**, who captured the title of **British Underwater Photographer of the Year** with his photograph *The Curious Seal*, portraying the curious essence of a **grey seal off Lundy Island, UK**.
– **Catherine Holmes (UK)**, lauded in the **Coral Reef** category for *Kaleidoscope of Colour*, a breathtaking illustration of the **reef biodiversity in Misool, Raja Ampat, Indonesia**.
These extraordinary images serve as a reminder to audiences of the **significance of ocean preservation and the delicate equilibrium of marine ecosystems**.
## The Wonder of Underwater Photography
The **Underwater Photographer of the Year** competition continues to motivate both photographers and conservation advocates. It highlights not only the **technical excellence of underwater photography** but also the **remarkable beauty and fragility of the world’s oceans**.
*Radiant Bond* transcends mere recognition as an award-winning image—it symbolizes **affection, resilience, and the profound relationship between marine life and our azure planet**. With talents like Alvaro Herrero at the forefront, the prospects for underwater photography—and ocean conservation—are more promising than ever.
### Discover More Winners
To view the remarkable images from this year’s contest, visit the **[Underwater Photographer of the Year official website](https://underwaterphotographeroftheyear.com/winners/2025-winners/)**.