UPY 2025

UPY  Wrecks - Winner
'The Engine'
Tobias Friedrich

Panoramic image of the engine room of the Chrisoula K. with six video lights placed behind the engines. I went there on several trips with a liveaboard, being able to check out the possibilities of creating some different lighting in the wrecks. But usually the boats do only 1-2 dives per wreck, so I had to be quick in decisions. The space between the engine inside the wreck is very narrow and the angle for a single photo was just not enough, so I thought it was the best idea to create a panoramic image to display the machine room in one shot. Placing the lights took some time as well to find the right mix of ambiance and light from the outside. Because the wreck is dived a lot in the Red Sea I had to wait for a good slot when nobody was inside it.

Judge's comment: One amazing panoramic image. The consistency of light and shade is stunning. The blue water colour in the far background gives the viewer a huge sense of depth perspective. The eye becomes absorbed by the panoramic from left to right with all the machinery of the wreck in full view. When I first set eyes on this image I knew it would go far in this competition. A most deserved winner.
- Martin Edge