UPY 2025

UPY 2018 British Waters Wide Angle - Commended
'Basking shark feeding'
Will Clark

Basking sharks are the world’s second biggest fish: they can grow over 10 metres long. Each year dozens arrive to the rich waters off the Inner Hebrides archipelago as part of their annual migrations. A bloom in plant plankton occurs in the warming springtime waters, which leads to an explosion in the numbers of animal plankton at the height of summer. Just as these tiny animals feed on the microscopic plants, so the basking sharks feed on the zooplankton, pushing slowly forward with their massive mouths open to envelop clouds of their prey before filtering them out through specialised gill structures. It is possible to sensitively snorkel with these gentle giants - if spooked they close their mouths and change direction. I’ve learned that the best method is to place yourself some distance in front, stay completely still and hope for the best.

Judge's comment: A well composed moving subject with all the necessities in place. Well framed, the angle of view towards the mouth is perfect. Plenty of light within the mouth and enough room in the image for it to to swim into. Martin Edge