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Spirits of the Sea

Cody Roberts

United States of America

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This series explores the biggest waves in the Pacific Ocean during the most powerful swells to reach Hawaiʻi in decades. Venturing into the sky enabled me to capture the raw intensity of these historic phenomena, and the spiritual echoes they left behind from waves the size of five-story buildings.

Bronze

Honorable Mention

This past December, several violent storms surged across the Pacific Ocean, pushing mammoth swells the size of five-story buildings towards the Hawaiian Islands.  Photographed from a helicopter, this series explores the beauty and power of the ocean, and how they transcend our imagination.

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Nominee

On November 24th, 2023, fifteen year-old Steve Roberson surfs the  biggest wave of the year in the Pacific, breaking a world record for his age. An intimate view from a private boat reveals the towering size and inexorable power of Pe'ahi, also knows as Jaws.

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Wave of a Lifetime

On January 16th, 2021 the largest swell in ten years gives rise to 60+ ft surf at Peʻahi, Hawaii. The waves here move as fast as 30 mph, spraying squalls of sea mist from their lips into the golden light of the setting sun – the spirits of the sea that entrancingly dance over the Pacific.

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On November 27th, 2022, the world’s largest volcano erupted for the first time in 38 years, hurling lava 500 feet into the sky. Photographed from a helicopter 13,000 ft above the sea, these photographs capture the history of Mauna Loa's eruption, and the thrilling metamorphosis of our living Earth.

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Photographer of the Year

Silver

Emerging Earth

Reaching temperatures over 2,000° F, searing lava bursts to the surface from the world's largest volcano. An intimate perspective of the 2022 Mauna Loa volcanic eruption captured from more than 11,000 feet above the sea level.

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Emergence

On November 27th, 2022, the world's largest volcano hurls lava into the sky for the first time in 38 years. At nearly 13,000 ft. above sea level, this miraculous moment reveals the scale of the Mauna Loa eruption, and the risks we take as humans to explore the wondrous elements of our living planet.

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Event Horizon

Pe'ahi, aka Jaws, is progressively becoming known as one of the best places on Earth for big wave surfing. Waves can reach heights up to 70-feet and move as fast as 30 mph. Here Tyler Larronde is captured inside a huge barrel, photographed from a private boat up close and personal.

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Inside the Jaws

An intimate view of the rare, occurring wave at Pe'ahi (aka Jaws) photographed from a private boat on the north shore of Hawai'i. Progressively becoming known as one of the best places on Earth for big-wave surfing, these incredible forces of nature are as violent as they are beautiful.

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White Horses

During the largest swell of the decade, waves on the north shore of Maui reached over 60 feet in height. A unique aerial perspective captured from a private helicopter reveals the raw power and force of Mother Nature.

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Smooth

In the world's most isolated archipelago, the lush valleys of the Hawaiian Islands are home to the wettest places on Earth. Wai (water) is our most precious resource in the islands, as the flow of fresh water here supports all life that inhabits this land.

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Flow of Life