UPY 2025

UPY 2017 Macro - Highly Commended
'Expectant Parents'
Susannah H. Snowden-Smith

"Expectant Parents" - A pair of two claw shrimp, including one with eggs, in the bottom of a purple vase sponge. Two claw shrimp are a rare find on Grand Cayman; these are the only ones I've seen in over 300 dives on the island! When diving, I have made a habit of looking into every purple vase sponge I come across. On this particular day, my husband and I went to a secret spot on Grand Cayman. We call it "Magicland" as we always find the most amazing creatures there. I had never seen these shrimp beforetwo claw shrimp as I would come to find out later. I placed one strobe along the side of the sponge to provide backlighting, and another pointing into the top of the sponge to provide fill light.

Judge's comment: Alex Mustard: Shrimps inside sponges are common subjects, but this one stands out as a photograph. The framing and the focus allows the pair of shrimps to balance each other in the picture and for both to tell the story of the parents to be.