UPY 2025

UPY 2018 Up & Coming - Commended
'A lagoon glimpse'
ROMAIN BARATS

Mid September, the perfect season to get whales in Polynesia, having a rest after their great migration...A sandbank in the middle of the lagoon of a peaceful island accessible by kayak... After close to 2 hours, to wait for the right time, all the actors were finally in a row for the shot. Sharks and rays belong to the same family despite their differences. A curious sting ray is showing off, creating a perfect foreground, requiring a focus on her (autofocus continuous AF-C with 51 points on my camera). But I wanted sharp sharks to create a good background, so needed at least f/8 but not too close without artificial light in order to avoid having to turn ISO up (I hate noise on pictures). A full frame with a wide angle lens allowed me to realise the composition.

Judge's comment: This is such a competent, confident image. Knowing when the elements might come together yet having the patience to wait until they precisely did.
Peter Rowlands