UPY 2025

UPY 2018 British Waters Macro - Highly Commended
'Moons above'
Lucy Kay

Part of the joy of diving is coming across the unexpected. A dive at Gilbert Goudge Guddle in Loch Hourn gave gave my first (and, so far, only) opportunity to dive amongst a large aggregation of moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) in relatively clear water. The swarming mass of pulsating animals, set against the striking emerald green water of the sea loch was quite hypnotic. Although I was set up with a macro lens, I wanted to try to take an image that showed the density of the animals and conveyed the feeling of being amongst them. Looking upwards, animals in the water column were silhouetted against the light from the surface, whilst my single flash enabled me to pick out some of the colour in the individual closest to me. I took several images but this is the one that gave me what I was looking for.

Judge's comment: Lucy has produced a soothing and graphically fulfilling image, with the ever decreasing circles created by the moon jellyfish bloom.
Alex Mustard