Breathtaking Photo Of A Sleeping Whale Wins $120k Prize At The HIPA Photography Contest, And Here Are 16 More Winning Pics

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

#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.”