UPY 2025

UPY  Black and White - Highly Commended
'Body of Water'
James Rokop

I was introduced to synchronized swimming by my two daughters and eventually took on the voluntary duties as parent team photographer. Over time, I grew to appreciate and admire the athletes for their dedication, grace, and athleticism and I began to explore different ways to photograph them during practices. The photographs of the athletes under water were so intriguing and artistic and I saw the potential to create beautiful art from this wonderful sport. I have now been photographing the sport for close to 10 years. This shot was taken in close proximity to the athletes near the surface of the water using a 6'' water housing dome taken on a sunny day. My focus that day was to capture intriguing shapes underwater formed by the swimmers legs

Judge's comment: Another favourite of mine from the competition, made by an original composition that is so well suited to black and white. I would encourage the photographer to revisit this idea, with the athletes in the matching performance costumes.
- Alex Mustard