Jonas Beyer captured some jaw-dropping underwater photos of killer whales, including some close-ups of these dynamic ocean predators. In an Instagram post sharing two of his top-10-placing photos in the 2025 Underwater Photographer of the Year (UPY) competition, both featuring orcas in close proximity, Beyer thanks judges and his online community for their support.
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The first photo shows a killer whale arching on its side, curiously looking at Beyer’s camera. Another whale approaches from below. In the second photo—an extreme close-up this time—Beyer captured an insanely detailed shot of a killer whale’s eye and face.
Commenters are shocked to see the orca’s skin texture in the photo. It’s also fascinating to look into the animal’s eye from so close. It’s a view most people (even those who dive with these animals in the wild) would never otherwise see.
See some close-ups of killer whales here: