/ 2026 / Nature / Underwater

• Prize
  Honorable Mention
• Photographer
  Ryota Ichimura, Japan
• Date of Photograph
  Mar 2026
• Instagram
  @rticmr

A juvenile yellow goosefish swimming under a clear sky found Cape Osezaki Japan.

The sun, the downward-extending shafts of light, and the reflected patterns on the water surface are arranged in a composition that is nearly symmetrical with respect to the juvenile. However, the juvenile shines more brightly than these elements, adorned with delicate and vivid coloration.

Ryota Ichimura is a Japanese PADI Divemaster who primarily photographs the behavior of marine life in Japanese waters. In 2026, one of his photographs was selected for the PADI AWARE certification card design in Japan.