While scuba diving in the Sea of Cortez, I had the incredible opportunity to visit a sea lion colony. The photo was taken at a depth of 15–20 feet, with a significant sea surge visible in the background. A group of sea lions can also be seen swimming and diving for fish in the distance.
As I focused on photographing the sea lions, a curious young pup approached me, intrigued by what I was doing. Gradually, the pup came closer and paused midwater, presenting the perfect moment to capture it in the foreground. The image includes a school of fish surrounding the pup and, in the background, sea lions gracefully diving.
This photo has multiple layers of interest. At first glance, the viewer’s eyes are drawn to the sea lion pup and the schooling fish. However, as you take in the scene, the focus shifts to the group of sea lions diving in the background, adding depth and action to the shot.