{"id":634439,"date":"2026-09-24T10:42:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T10:42:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/634439\/"},"modified":"2026-09-24T10:42:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T10:42:13","slug":"playful-sea-lion-pups-chased-gently-nipped-and-twisted-around-the-camera-fascinated-by-their-reflections-in-its-curved-dome-port-explains-winner-of-prestigious-ocean-photography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/634439\/","title":{"rendered":"Playful sea lion pups \u201cchased, gently nipped, and twisted around the camera, fascinated by their reflections in its curved dome port,\u201d explains winner of prestigious ocean photography award"},"content":{"rendered":"

Snapping a beautiful wildlife scene is rewarding, but when the animal actually interacts with you during the process, it\u2019s an extra-special experience, and can lead to extra spectacular shots.<\/p>\n

That was the case for British underwater photographer, Jenny Stock<\/a>, who was recently named the Ocean Photographer of the Year<\/a> Female Fifty Fathoms 2026 winner.<\/p>\n

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Stock\u2019s winning portfolio included an incredible scene of two sea lion pups, who not only interacted with the photographer, but even copied her movements, turning as she spun in the water.<\/p>\n

Latest Videos FromDigital Camera World<\/p>\n

\u201cThe playful animals chased, gently nipped, and twisted around the camera, fascinated by their reflections in its curved dome port,\u201d Stock told the photography competition organizers.<\/p>\n

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\"Two
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(Image credit: Jenny Stock \/ Ocean Photographer of the Year)<\/p>\n

Gear and settings: Canon 5D Mark IV<\/a> in underwater housing<\/a> | 1\/200 sec | f\/18 | ISO 400<\/p>\n

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Stock pictured the playful pups in Western Australia\u2019s Jurien Bay Marine Park. According to the Australian Government<\/a>, the site is the only sea lion breeding zone along Australia\u2019s western coastline, and is home to roughly 20% of the region\u2019s 800-strong population.<\/p>\n

Interactions with divers have proven the marine mammals to be highly sociable and intelligent, with Stock saying that her experience revealed their \u201ccurious\u201d nature.<\/p>\n

The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n

Other images in Stock\u2019s commended portfolio included a brilliantly composed shot of a green turtle passing above the coral floor near the surface of the French Polynesian Pacific waters. Stock commented that she used a fast shutter speed and a small aperture to control the \u201cintense brightness\u201d.<\/p>\n

Image 1 of 2<\/p>\n

\"Sea<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Jenny Stock \/ Ocean Photographer of the Year)<\/p>\n

Green turtle below the French Polynesian Pacific waves<\/p>\n

Gear and settings: Canon 5D Mark IV | 1\/600 sec | f\/11 | ISO 400<\/p>\n

\"Mother<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Jenny Stock \/ Ocean Photographer of the Year)<\/p>\n

Mother humpback with her calf in Tongan waters<\/p>\n

Gear and settings: Canon 5D Mark II | 1\/125 | f\/12 | ISO 320<\/p>\n

\"Sea<\/p>\n

\"Mother<\/p>\n

The Female Fifty Fathoms Award is a category of the Ocean Photographer of the Year Awards, celebrating the best women-created ocean photography. Unlike other categories, the recipient is nominated by her peers and judged by the Ocean Photographer of the Year jury.<\/p>\n

Stock said: \u201cTo be nominated by fellow ocean photographers means more to me than I can easily express. I hope this recognition inspires more women to pick up a camera and discover the magic that\u2019s beneath the surface.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Deals On Jenny Stock’s Canon DSLR camera<\/p>\n

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Here\u2019s our pick of the best underwater housings for cameras and phones<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Snapping a beautiful wildlife scene is rewarding, but when the animal actually interacts with you during the process,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":634440,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[307,304,305,306,308,93,61,60],"class_list":["post-634439","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arts-and-design","tag-arts","tag-arts-and-design","tag-artsanddesign","tag-artsdesign","tag-design","tag-entertainment","tag-ie","tag-ireland"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/634439","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=634439"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/634439\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/634440"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=634439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=634439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=634439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}