UPY 2025

UPY 2019 British Waters Macro - Highly Commended
'What glows beneath'
Dan Bolt

Firework anemones are stunning creatures that live in the dark waters of some Scottish sea-lochs. Under normal light they are white with hints of red and brown. But when using a special blue light, they glow with an inner light that seems to be not of this earth! Quite honestly it feels like you're diving with aliens when you see them glowing in the distance, and as you carefully approach the eerie light can easily play on one's imagination!
To capture this 'bio-luminescence' I not only used the blue light, but also a special filter in front of the camera's lens that lets only the glowing light through to the sensor.

Judge's comment: Rule No1 in competitions is to stand out from the crowd and this one certainly does. It’s a great example of how some marine life looks under different lighting and the choice of background is the perfect compliment.
Peter Rowlands