UPY 2025

UPY  Wrecks - Commended
'Mitsubishi G4M “Betty” Bomber'
Marcus Blatchford

I visited Truk Lagoon for a very specific project. 75 years have passed and the wrecks are now showing definite signs of degradation. The Truk Wreck Baseline Project plans to scan all of the wrecks and create high resolution 3d models by photogrammetry so degradation can be monitored. I asked the other divers on my boat if they would be interested to be part of one of the models - they were all excited to be involved. During the dive I directed the 4 divers individually to lay on the seabed while I scan them as part of the larger model. The image shown was created from 1337 source images and if printed at actual size has a pixel size of 0.847mm!

Judge's comment: Photogrammetry is such a powerful and exciting tool in underwater imaging and this is a standout example of a classic subject. A photo that is clearly going to be very valuable for the future, as well as stunning to look at.
- Alex Mustard