/ 2026 / Nature / Underwater

• Prize
  Honorable Mention
• Photographer
  Kosuke Inui, Japan
• Date of Photograph
  2026/6/28
• Website
  https://www.kosukeinui.com/
• Instagram
  @k_inui_uwpic

Having photographed juvenile Tosanoides flavofasciatus many times over the years, I wanted to find a new way to express its beauty beyond a conventional portrait.

This deep-reef species can only be photographed during the limited bottom time available at depth, making every encounter brief. Rather than freezing the fish, I used a long exposure to capture the flow of the surrounding water while waiting for the juvenile to face the camera.

This image reflects my pursuit of a new way to portray a familiar subject.

I began underwater photography in 2020.

Based in Japan, I explore and photograph the diverse underwater landscapes of oceans, rivers, and lakes, seeking quiet moments and the subtle connection between nature and life.

While working full-time in the corporate world, I continue to pursue underwater photography as a way to capture the beauty, stillness, and hidden stories beneath the surface.

Awards 2023 New York Photography Awards — Gold Winner
2024 Budapest International Foto Awards — Gold Winner
2025 Tokyo International Foto Awards — 1st Place Winner