UPY 2025

UPY  Black and White - Highly Commended
'Ying and Yang'
Hannes Klostermann

The annual marlin migration along the coast of the Baja California peninsula in Mexico is an amazing experience. As you head out early in the morning you can never be quite sure what you will encounter that day. I was fortunate to do two trips to see them in 2020, one with customers and one with a small group of friends. When we encountered this particular scene, my friends all decided to stay on the boat while I went in to check it out, as it didn’t seem like much from the surface. As I approached the bait ball it became clear that we had hit the jackpot: A stationary sardine bait ball with marlin, tuna, sea lions and a sail fish all preying on it at the same time! I quickly shouted “SAIL FISH!!!” towards the boat and began shooting. Moments later, these two magnificent predators aligned perfectly.

Judge's comment: I like the symmetry between the elements in this image. The small bait ball in the background. The dramatic feel of the sail fish as it moves closer to the bait ball.
- Martin Edge