Breathtaking Photo Of A Sleeping Whale Wins $120k Prize At The HIPA Photography Contest, And Here Are 16 More Winning Pics
The $120k Grand Prize of this year's HIPA photography competition went to Australian photographer Jasmine Carey for her breathtaking photo of a mother Humpback whale sleeping next to her 2-week-old baby.
Independently testedUnbiased Demilked scoreFree to implementTools included
Back on June 7, the winning photos of this year's Hamdan International Photography Award (HIPA) photography contest were announced, and the Grand Prize of $120k went to Australian photographer Jasmine Carey for her breathtaking photo of a mother Humpback whale sleeping next to her 2-week-old baby.
In a recent interview with Bored Panda, Jasmine said that as the clouds started rolling in while she was in the water, it felt almost like an out of body experience, floating on the surface, and observing the calmly sleeping mother whale along with her calf. "They obviously were aware of us but did not let that inhibit their bond. Watching it unfold, I knew it was magic and I just hoped that I would be able to do it justice," said the photographer. "It definitely hard al the makings of a beautiful image."
Jasmine says that being close to whales is "the ultimate wildlife experience". "To have an animal the size of a bus acknowledge your existence and be curious of you and genuinely interested is like nothing else. All your emotions what to erupt all at once and yet you feel cleansed of all life’s 'problems,' all the heaviness on our soul just melts away," explained the photographer. "They really put things into perspective and give you so much joy."
See Jasmine's winning photo and the other winners in the gallery below!
More info: JasmineCarey.com | Facebook | Instagram | HIPA.ae
Image source: Jasmine Carey
Image source: Sujan Sarkar
"I’m so honored to be acknowledged, to be the first female and first Australian to be awarded the Grand Prize," said Jasmine. "I am overwhelmed and grateful for everyone’s positive response, their congratulations and messages. I have really tried to thank each person individually." The photographer says she loves capturing images and never though it was possible to do what she is doing now - using her images to share the wonders that she sees. "I do believe that a photo speaks all languages. It can evoke such great emotion, strength, connection and unity," added Jasmine.
Image source: Budi Gunawan
Image source: Fahad Al Enezi
"In today’s world, there can at times be a disconnect where there is too much language and talk with not much action. Photography can be that visual vehicle to showcase the stories of required action, results, solutions, and support," continued the photographer. "I hope that when viewing the images they feel like that they are with me and then understand why it’s so amazing, why the animals mean something, that they too live a life that we get to peek into for such a brief moment. I hope that my images brings the characters and magic of the ocean into their hearts."
Image source: Rashed Al Sumaiti
Image source: Talal Al Rabah
The special theme of this year's competition was "Water" and the first place in this category went to Belgian photographer François Bogaerts. HIPA explained that they chose water as the special theme because it's one of the oldest companions of humankind. “From nature to nurture to science and discovery; water is central to our universe. Photography not only photographs the present, but in time creates a rich archive of the past and even inspires the imagination for the future," said the organizers. "Water as a theme provides an endless and provocative subject that captures the photographer’s imagination and inspires an opportunity for photographic brilliance and storytelling.”
Image source: François Bogaerts
Image source: Apratim Pal
Image source: Yousef Shakar Al Zaabi
Image source: Anna Niemiec
Image source: Navin Kumar
Image source: Buchari Muslim Diken
Image source: Shanth Kumar Samba Shivam Laila
Image source: Fahad Faraj Abdualhameid
Image source: Abdullah Alshathri
Image source: Yose Mirza
Image source: Sourav Das
#1 Water: Grand Prize, Jasmine Carey
Image source: Jasmine Carey
#2 General (Black And White): 3rd Winner, Sujan Sarkar
Image source: Sujan Sarkar
"I’m so honored to be acknowledged, to be the first female and first Australian to be awarded the Grand Prize," said Jasmine. "I am overwhelmed and grateful for everyone’s positive response, their congratulations and messages. I have really tried to thank each person individually." The photographer says she loves capturing images and never though it was possible to do what she is doing now - using her images to share the wonders that she sees. "I do believe that a photo speaks all languages. It can evoke such great emotion, strength, connection and unity," added Jasmine.
#3 Mobile Photography: 2nd Winner, Budi Gunawan
Image source: Budi Gunawan
#4 General (Color): 1st Winner, Fahad Al Enezi
Image source: Fahad Al Enezi
"In today’s world, there can at times be a disconnect where there is too much language and talk with not much action. Photography can be that visual vehicle to showcase the stories of required action, results, solutions, and support," continued the photographer. "I hope that when viewing the images they feel like that they are with me and then understand why it’s so amazing, why the animals mean something, that they too live a life that we get to peek into for such a brief moment. I hope that my images brings the characters and magic of the ocean into their hearts."
#5 General (Color): 3rd Winner, Rashed Al Sumaiti
Image source: Rashed Al Sumaiti
#6 General (Black And White): 1st Winner, Talal Al Rabah
Image source: Talal Al Rabah
The special theme of this year's competition was "Water" and the first place in this category went to Belgian photographer François Bogaerts. HIPA explained that they chose water as the special theme because it's one of the oldest companions of humankind. “From nature to nurture to science and discovery; water is central to our universe. Photography not only photographs the present, but in time creates a rich archive of the past and even inspires the imagination for the future," said the organizers. "Water as a theme provides an endless and provocative subject that captures the photographer’s imagination and inspires an opportunity for photographic brilliance and storytelling.”
#7 Water: 1st Winner, François Bogaerts
Image source: François Bogaerts
#8 Mobile Photography: 1st Winner, Apratim Pal
Image source: Apratim Pal
#9 Water: 5th Winner, Yousef Shakar Al Zaabi
Image source: Yousef Shakar Al Zaabi
#10 General (Black And White): 2nd Winner, Anna Niemiec
Image source: Anna Niemiec
#11 Mobile Photography: 5th Winner, Navin Kumar
Image source: Navin Kumar
#12 Water: 3rd Winner, Buchari Muslim Diken
Image source: Buchari Muslim Diken
#13 Water: 2nd Winner, Shanth Kumar Samba Shivam Laila
Image source: Shanth Kumar Samba Shivam Laila
#14 Mobile Photography: 4th Winner, Fahad Faraj Abdualhameid
Image source: Fahad Faraj Abdualhameid
#15 Mobile Photography: 3rd Winner, Abdullah Alshathri
Image source: Abdullah Alshathri
#16 General (Color): 2nd Winner, Yose Mirza
Image source: Yose Mirza
#17 Water: 4th Winner, Sourav Das
Image source: Sourav DasDE
Written by
Demilked Editorial
SaaS Review Specialist · Demilked
With 5+ years in the creator, entertainment, and publishing spaces, Demilked shortlists, reviews, and ranks leading tools that actually make your life easier.