SUMMARY
Australian underwater photographer Brooke Pyke has won the 'Animal' category at The Mono Awards 2026 for a dramatic black-and-white image of mobula rays. The winning shot was taken in Baja California, Mexico, using a Canon EOS R5 Mark II with a Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L fisheye lens. Pyke described the unpredictability of underwater wildlife photography as part of its magic, emphasizing the need for diving skills, camera expertise, and luck. Her image, titled 'Fever,' captured a school of rays silhouetted against white sand, earning her AU$2,500 and a Synology NAS.
TAKEAWAYS
Brooke Pyke won a Mono Award for her underwater photograph of mobula rays.
The winning image was captured in Baja California, Mexico, using a Canon EOS R5 Mark II and fisheye lens.
The Mono Awards celebrate black-and-white imagery, attracting over 3,000 entries.
Pyke received AU$2,500 and storage for her award-winning photograph.