Byron Bay photographer wins at prestigious international photo comp

Byron Bay Photographer and Sony ambassador ​Craig Parry has taken out 'The Underwater World' category at the prestigious 2017 Golden Turtle International Photography Competition.

Parry's winning shot, The Ghost, features Migaloo, one of only two known albino humpback whales in the world.

In his winning shot, ​Parry captured Migaloo off Australia's east coast past Byron Bay - the first time he has been photographed underwater and in such close proximity.

The Russian-based Golden Turtle International Photography Competition is now in its 11th year, and received more than 10,000 entries from 92 countries.

Captured in 2016, Parry says on his website the image was the result of patience and long days.

“This time of the year, I make it a habit to start my day on the ocean photographing the whales as they migrate along the coast. When I saw the white belly of Migaloo reveal itself in the distance I had to look twice – I couldn’t believe it,” said Craig.

“We turned off the engines to keep our distance and drifted along, snapping pictures like crazy. Over about 30 minutes, he slowly made his way over to us to get a closer look before giving us a little high five in the way of a fin slap on the water and continuing on.”

It was at this point Craig used his camera and water housing from within the boat, to continue photographing the other surrounding marine life. But then…. “Migaloo reappeared and gave my camera a cheeky grin,” said Craig. “Truly the image of a lifetime!”