UPY 2025

UPY  Up & Coming - Highly Commended
'People swim in the “Grotta Verde”'
Pier Paolo Cito

I think that we, as humans, have a very superficial approach to the sea. Unsurprisingly, those who live on its surface may just consider it as a vast surface of water more or less rough.
But instead, the sea includes in its depth, a great variety of inhabitants and landscapes, that we rarely encounter. We often experience the sea by merely enjoying its surface without wondering about its rich life under us at that moment.
With this picture, taken in the Souther East Italian sea cave of Marina di Andrano (Lecce) called ‘Grotta Verde’, my intention is to represent the two co-existing worlds.

Judge's comment: I really enjoyed the ‘back story’ for this particular image. The slice of blue water and just a hint of light towards the top. The position, poise and flow of the mermaid completes the story. Very creative indeed.
- Martin Edge