UPY 2025

UPY  Up and Coming - Commended
'Majestic dance'
Severin Pöhlmann

I was on my honeymoon with my beautiful wife Sonja. We had traveled to the other side of the globe to get the chance to snorkel with the whales. We were unlucky for the first days. On the third day there were two whales resting at a depth of 30 meters. We waited at the surface for around half an hour. Suddenly the whales came up right next to us and I am very happy for this "lucky shot" and to get it in frame before the whales disappered into the deep blue. The scene took just a few seconds but it felt like half a lifetime. It was a long time dream and a great honour to see these majestic animals that close.

Judge's comment: Whilst judging images such as these it is the splendour of imagery that shines out so brightly. For some viewers the tilt in the water line may have been a floor but I would argue that it works very well for me.
- Martin Edge