In a Different Light | Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Sage Ono's Image

Sage Ono (USA) explores the abundant life around the giant kelp forests in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

A calm, sunny day gave Sage the chance to get closer to the kelp without having to constantly fight for position against the swell.

He caught this moment while exploring how natural light from above plays on the kelp’s finer details. A sunbeam, refracted by the water, picked out the serrated edges of the fronds in rainbow colours.

The brown seaweeds, such as these kelps, play an important role as habitat creators. Kelp forests are under threat around the world from ocean warming. Some regions have lost their kelp forests entirely.

Behind the lens

Sage Ono

USA

Although he didn’t grow up by water, Sage has always been fascinated with the underwater world. When he moved to Monterey Bay, California, USA, in 2021, Sage was finally able to immerse himself fully in photography. Since then, he’s devoted his time to exploring the local seas as much as he can and volunteering as a survey diver to monitor the kelp forests. Using his education in philosophy and the skills he’s gained as a photographer, Sage aspires to use his work to explore humanity’s relationship with and responsibility to the natural world.

Image details

Nikon D850
60mm f2.8 lens
1/160 at f10 • ISO 1000 • Nauticam NA-D850 housing • 2x Sea & Sea YS-D2J strobes
Monastery Beach, Carmel, California, USA

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Sage Ono's Image

Behind the lens

Sage Ono

Image details

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