UPY 2025

UPY  Portrait - Third
'Longevity Meditation'
Daniele Comin

I was in a naturalistic day trip in San Cristobal, Galapagos. I didn't expect to get many underwater opportunities but I almost always carry a camera with me. Late in the afternoon we stopped at the famous Leon Dormido Dive Site so I took my camera and I went to do some freediving. Conditions were very bad: no light and dark green water. It wasn't easy to set the camera for a good shot. The purpose of this part of the trip was to find hammerheads underwater. However, instead of hammerheads, I saw a group of Green Turtles. I decided to observe them a little bit. One Green Turtle was "meditating" so I gently approached, trying not to disturb her. I took 3 shots before she seemed to notice my presence and so I went away. She stayed in the same position for another 10 minutes.

Judge's comment: This portrait captures personality perfectly and I suspect a tighter composition would have made it irresistible. - Peter Rowlands