The Journey of 2025:
A Tour of Dimensions
My lens traveled between extremes this year. From the microscopic "inner space" of Anilao (Wonderpus larvae, Argonauts) to the high-speed predator battlegrounds of Mexico (Orcas, Marlin runs).
Two encounters defined this year: The biological miracle of a rare Albino Mola in Magdalena Bay, and the urban wildness of the Bighead Carp migration in Taiwan’s Bitan.
Larval Wonderpus Octopus (Wunderpus photogenicus) in blackwater. Macro photography shot in Anilao, Philippines by George Kao. Capturing the transparent beauty of the larval stage. Camera and Housing: Canon R5 mk2, Nauticam; Strobes: 2 x SUPE D-MAX; Lens: 100mm; F22 | 1/250 | iso 400 Photographed by George Kao, PhD
White Giant Frogfish illuminated by creative blue snoot lighting. An artistic underwater portrait emphasizing the texture and form of the subject against a dark background. Camera and Housing: Canon R5 mk2, Nauticam; Strobes: SUPE D-MAX & Retra LSD; Lens: 100mm; F10 | 1/250 | iso 200 Photographed by George Kao, PhD
Greater Argonaut (Paper Nautilus) riding a jellyfish with perfect surface reflection. A rare blackwater encounter in Anilao, capturing the duality of the underwater world. Camera and Housing: Canon R5 mk2, Nauticam; Strobes: 2 x SUPE D-MAX; Lens: 100mm; F16 | 1/250 | iso 200 Photographed by George Kao, PhD
A baby Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the blue waters of Amami Oshima, Japan. Intimate wide-angle portrait of a gentle giant. Award winning of 2025 green peace photo contest. Camera and Housing: Canon R5 mk2, Nauticam; Lens: RF 15-35mm; F7.1 | 1/400 | iso 1250 Photographed by George Kao, PhD
Massive migration of Bighead Carp (Aristichthys nobilis) in Bitan, Taiwan. A rare documentation of freshwater ecological behavior in an urban river system. Camera and Housing: Canon R5 mk2, Nauticam; Strobes: 2 x SUPE D-MAX; Lens: EF 8-15mm; F10 | 1/60 | iso 500 Photographed by George Kao, PhD
Striped Marlins portrait in Magdalena Bay (Mag Bay), Mexico. High-speed underwater action photography capturing the moment. Camera and Housing: Canon R5 mk2, Nauticam; Lens: EF 8-15mm; F5.6 | 1/2000 | iso 2000 Photographed by George Kao, PhD
A female Mola mola releases 300,000,000 eggs at a time. Less than 1% survive to adulthood. The odds of being born white (Leucism) are 1 in 10,000. Lacking the protective camouflage of counter-shading, this white individual was a glowing target in the open ocean since birth. Yet, it survived against all statistical odds. This is not just a photo. It is a biological miracle. photography capturing the moment. Camera and Housing: Canon R5 mk2, Nauticam; Lens: EF 8-15mm; F4.5 | 1/320 | iso 125 Photographed by George Kao, PhD
A wild orca (killer whale) patrolling the open waters near Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. An apex predator captured in its natural oceanic habitat during a brief, close-range encounter. Camera & Housing: Canon R5 Mark II, Nauticam Lens: EF 8–15mm Settings: f/4 · 1/800s · ISO 640 Photographed by George Kao, PhD
A capybara sliding through the water surface, captured in an intimate underwater perspective. This image received the Gold Award in the Ecology & Underwater category at the 2025 OM System National Photo Contest (Taiwan), and Commended in the Portrait category at Underwater Photographer of the Year (UPY) 2026. Camera & Housing: Canon R5 Mark II, Nauticam Lens: RF 15-35mm Settings: f/22 · 1/250s · ISO 200 Photographed by George Kao, PhD