UPY 2025

UPY 2019 British Waters Compact - Highly Commended
'Get out of my sun!'
Martin Edser

Sometimes by chance everything falls into place. This was a mid-week summer dive at my local diving lake to practice some underwater photography and as they say 'practice makes perfect'. This Signal Crayfish made an interesting subject to practice some close focus wide angle shots and this one particularly attracted my attention with the sun behind it. Whilst getting into position and setting my strobes I noticed my buddy by chance swim above and move into the frame. I had one opportunity to get this shot as it happened. I was really pleased with result. From the expression on the Crayfish's face, to the colour of the water and the position of my buddy it just all seemed to work as a composition and I could not have posed it if I had tried!

Judge's comment: This is such an unusual composition but it works! There is plenty of depth in the shot and the layers of interest start from the bottom of the frame, up and past the illuminated crayfish with the diver in silhouette. I found this a quirky image but it grew on the panel as the judging progressed.
Martin Edge.