The Spanish lensman captured a once-in-a-lifetime picture that made headlines across the world: a Bryde's whale emerging from the deep, mouth wide open, just moments before taking a bite from a bait ball.

The spectacular, striking image taken during the Mexican sardine run in Baja California Sur won him the prestigious trophy awarded by Oceanographic Magazine.

Caballero is known for his storytelling through photography.

He described the winning shot as "the most special - and craziest - moment" of his life.

The whale's dramatic appearance from the depths, surrounded by a lively scene of colorful dorados, sea lions, and swirling sardines, was a surreal and unforgettable sight.

"The entire scene was incredible, and the Pacific waters were calm, making it a perfect opportunity to capture this once-in-a-lifetime moment," he recounted.

Having visited the Mexican sardine run for years, Caballero had always hoped to witness a whale feeding on a bait ball - a predation event he considers to be one of the most spectacular in the ocean.

On that day, the stars aligned, and he was in the right place at the right time.

"My friend Mekan, another photographer, was right behind me but missed the shot, yet his happiness for me made the moment even more special," added Caballero.

But the 30-year-old was definitely not expecting to win the 2024 Ocean Photographer of the Year.

"It's a dream come true… I had to re-read the message several times to make sure it was real," he admitted.

The recognition, however, fuels his mission even more: to showcase the beauty of the ocean and inspire others to protect it.

Caballero's journey into the world of underwater photography was a natural progression from his childhood love for the ocean.

Raised by a father who was a professional submarine photographer, Caballero was drawn to the sea from a young age.

His first dive at age seven, with a 7-litre scuba tank perfectly sized for him, ignited a lifelong bond with the underwater world.

Years of diving without a camera gave him an intimate understanding of marine life, but eventually, the urge to capture those moments became too strong to resist.

Inspired by his father's work, Caballero picked up a camera and never looked back.

Rafael is obsessed with telling stories through his still pictures, freezing the ocean's most extraordinary and often unseen moments.

"The sea is filled with unique stories, and I aim to present these in a way that leaves a strong impact," the Madrid-born explained.

Caballero will continue to bring the ocean's hidden mysteries to light and make sure he can play his part in promoting a deeper connection between people and the waterworld.

"You need to know something in order to love and protect it," concluded Rafael Fernández Caballero.

The 2024 edition of Ocean Photographer of the Year also highlighted two additional pictures among 15,000 entries.

The second place went to Jade Hoksbergen for the shot of a northern gannet diving into the water to catch its prey in the Isle of Noss, Shetland Islands.

The third place went to Thien Nguyen for a drone picture of a trail of smoke coming up from a fishing boat's chimney in Hon Yen, Vietnam, perfectly aligned with the shape of the green nets moving under the surface.

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com