UPY 2025

UPY 2018 British Waters Compact - Highly Commended
'Octopus vulgaris'
Guy Mitchell

We headed over to Brixham in the hope of spotting an Octopus as it's a species that's avoided me in the UK. There had been lots of reports of recent sightings by local dive guru Baz Drysdale so we were optimistic . The dive turned out to be a classic with three different octopus among many other species. Having not encountered one before I was surprised at how it seemed unaffected by our presence and willingly seemed to pose for photographs. This shot was one of about 30 I took of them that night and it seems to capture the octopus regarding me and my camera with great interest. Taking pictures underwater in the dark is always difficult but it does help if the subject is cooperative and I was really happy with the way this one came out.

Judge's comment: A great shot of these enigmatic creatures which are being seen more and more on the SW coast of the UK. Sometimes, less is more.
Peter Rowlands