UPY 2025

UPY 2018 Compact - Runner Up
'Flower power'
Jack Berthomier

Having been a free diving underwater photographer for 8 years, I swim many hours, every week looking for uncommon subjects to shoot. My preference is pictures made under the surface with reflections . A lot of creatures (mainly juveniles) are found there day and night looking for spots (floating sargassums, flowers, leaves and miscellaneous objects) on which to stay. This picture shows 3 blennies that gather by the dozen under a sheltered spot. In this image, they are hiding under a floating hibiscus flower.

Judge's comment: Fantastic subject matter makes this image. Algae blennies associate with any object object floating near the surface, you will often see them on dive site buoys. But this hibiscus flower is an attractive alternative, framed against the trees. Alex Mustard