UPY 2025

UPY 2017 British Waters Macro - Runner Up
'Amphipod shrimp, Iphimedia obesa'
Matt Doggett

Whilst diving in Loch Carron over the New Year we noticed that these tiny, colourful amphipod shrimps occurred in their hundreds amongst the kelp in a narrow depth band between around 5-8m. They seemed to be feeding on the bryozoan Membranipora membranacea (a colonial animal) which grows on the kelp fronds and provides both the foreground and background to this image. Less than 1 cm in length, the shrimps proved an irresistible challenge to photograph during decompression stops. They often buzzed around in the spotting lamp beam like a busy swarm of wasps, meaning I had to be quick to capture one if it sat still for a second.

Judge's comment: Alex Mustard: A beautiful capture with every element perfectly controlled, foreground, subject and background.