UPY 2025

UPY 2016 Wrecks - Third
'Beaufighter'
Steve Jones

This is the wreck of an RAF Beaufighter, a heavily armed attack aircraft used extensively in World War 2. The wreckage lies upside down on bright white sand at 38 meters. I wanted to get an image of the whole wreck that was different from what I'd seen before and as my buddy moved near the undercarriage I realised that the best angle was from directly above. Our use of rebreathers made the task much easier, as I didn't have to worry about any annoying bubbles!

Judge's comment: Peter Rowlands: It's easy when you see an image like this to think it was a great way to produce a fresh and different image of an often photographed 'wreck' but it is your job as an underwater photographer to come up with that angle before anyone else does and that is what will make you and your underwater photography stand out in competitions. Steve did just that and has produced a fresh and appealing image. Never underestimate the effect that the corners of a frame can have. The lighter blue frame edges really lift this image and give it great depth. The diver adds scale and interest without detracting from the main focal point.