The International Photography Awards (IPA) is an annual global competition that attracts professional, amateur and student photographers from around the world. The competition is one of the most prominent in the photography industry today.

The “Nature” category focuses on photos that highlight the beauty of Mother Nature, including landscapes, wildlife, plants, and natural close-ups and textures. Taken on April 21, 2023, this underwater photo shows a giant school of sardines swimming around a freediver.

Freediving is the art of diving underwater without any breathing apparatus, especially in deep water, which requires special skills and expertise. Freediving while handling the camera technically can be considered a special talent. To capture this photo, the author used a Sony a7 IV full-frame mirrorless camera combined with a Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G lens, wrapped in a Sea Frogs underwater protective case. Photographer Benjamin Yavar also shared about this spectacular image on his personal Instagram: "This is the day I captured an encounter from another dimension".

In the caption of his entry, Benjamin Yavar shared: "Sardines are an amazing experience. They can create the most amazing and unique shapes. I love how the sardines seem to be welcoming the free diver or wanting to swallow her - depending on your perspective."

"The swirling mass of sea creatures looks more like the gaping mouth of a giant creature trying to swallow the diver than a school of sardines," said jury member Dan Rubin. "It's natural surrealism at its best."

Additionally, Yavar's photo will be featured in the IPA Annual Photography Book, an important award in the world of nature photography.

The IPA International Photography Awards are an initiative of the Lucie Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to celebrating outstanding photographers, discovering and developing emerging talent, and promoting the appreciation of photography globally. The Lucie Foundation’s annual program is primarily funded through the IPA International Photography Awards, whose signature event is the illustrious Lucie Prize.

Here are some of the other outstanding entries from the 2024 IPA International Photography Awards.

People Photographer Of the Year Award
Work: In the shadows of silent women - Author: Maryam Firuzi

Fine Art Photographer Of the Year Award
Work: Fine Art of Resilience - Author: Paul Szimák

Architecture Photographer Of the Year Award
Artwork: Line, Form and Color - Author: Gleici Rufatto

Sports Photographer Of the Year Award
Work: Ballers - Author: Peter Muller

Book Photographer Of the Year
Work: The Arctic: A Darker Shade of White - Author: S ebastian Copeland