UPY 2025

UPY  British Waters Macro - Highly Commended
'Three little bugs'
Trevor Rees

These tiny crustaceans are great fun to photograph. These are the amphipod Imphimedia obesa and are about the size of a pea. I've had success photographing a single individual before by winning the British macro category in this competition a few years ago. I love the striking markings, the insect like compound eyes and challenge of using a macro lens fitted with a close up diopter to capture the fine detail. After realising it has become a popular subject I needed a different take. This time I've created an image with three together, all perched on top of an orange dead man's finger.

Judge's comment: This image leaps off the screen and I can’t help smiling at these cute critters posed on a soft coral. During judging we were aware that this is one individual (with the same markings) photographed three times.
- Alex Mustard