UPY 2025

UPY  Compact - Highly Commended
'Paradox'
Rodolphe GUIGNARD

This picture was taken in northern Zanzibar, Tanzania, close to Mnemba atoll. During a snorkeling session, I had noticed this traditional fisherman watching me for a while from his “dhow”. These small and rudimentary vessels are perfectly adapted to the sometimes rough sea conditions experienced by these windswept distant lands. His silhouette immediately inspired me and I wanted to stage him in an original composition.
In this very poor region of the globe, the ocean's resources account for the near-totality of the population's meager income. Thus in this image, the fisherman appears to carefully watch over his treasure. A paradoxical scene, in which the bountiful richness of marine life seems in direct contrast to the precarity and solitude of human beings.

Judge's comment: A perfect example of the capability of compact cameras when played to their strengths. An SLR shooter would have been more than happy with this and I doubt if they could better it. - Peter Rowlands