UPY 2025

UPY 2017 Wrecks - Winner
'The wreck of the Louilla at sunset'
Csaba Tökölyi

This is the wreck of the Louilla resting on top of Gordon reef in the Straits of Tiran on the edge of the Sinai. Beneath her lies a pile of her anchor chains, giving the form of a whale. Wrecks become part of the eco-system in no time. Soft corals develop very soon and they can become shelter for schools of juvenile fish. But also, they can have a devastating effect on their surroundings. This wreck sits on top of Gordon reef, battered by the waves and is slowly deteriorating. Last summer, part of the superstructure collapsed, and the wreck lost it's epic, cinematic look. In a few decades, the reef should be free again from the remains of this once huge freighter.

Judge's comment: Martin Edge: This image immediately caught my eye in the first round of judging 'Wrecks'. An ideal subject for a split shot, superb and subtle use (I believe) of fill in flash' on both top and bottom of the wreck with the low sun in the far background. The compositional weight of the foreground, both under & over is also very well balanced. I've seen quite a few attempts at this wreck before but never as well executed as this.