UPY 2025

UPY  British Waters Compact - Third
'All in a good claws!'
Martin Edser

The many shipwrecks in the English Channel give wonderful opportunities for British marine life to seek shelter and thrive. It’s amazing that these scenes of once destruction now provide a foundation for new life. As a regular UK diver and underwater photographer I find them fascinating areas to find and photograph marine life. The conditions can be challenging, but for me this adds to the fun and sense of achievement.
This ‘common’ lobster was photographed on one of the biggest wrecks off the Sussex Coast - the wreck of the Alaunia. This specimen was in prime condition and clearly telling me with its impressive claws that this spot was taken! Getting low and close with a wide angle lens gave me the opportunity to capture the striking pose and detail of these fascinating creatures from prehistory.

Judge's comment: An ideal shooting position to photograph this lobster. The light could look harsh in some positions and sympathetically soft in others. The author has balanced the soft and hard very well making a strong portrait of the Lobster.
- Martin Edge