UPY 2025

UPY  British Waters Wide Angle - Commended
'Anglerfish on the James Eagan Layne'
Kirsty Andrews

I had heard of anglerfish being spotted on the wreck affectionately called the 'JEL', but had not got lucky spotting one myself until this year, despite diving the site regularly. This was a truly majestic fish, an ambush predator about 5 foot long (about 1.5m) and it seemed unbothered by my presence. I wanted to take a photo that captured its character as well as how it had placed itself among the iconic hold structures of this famous Liberty Ship, which has been sitting upright in Whitsand Bay since 1945. I had a mini dome port on my fisheye lens so got as close as possible to light up the anglerfish, allowing natural light to show the wreck's structure.

Judge's comment: A beastly predator is revealed amongst the angles of a wreck. The central area of the frame contributes less than the top and bottom. - Alex Mustard