UPY 2025

UPY  Black & White - Highly Commended
'Cruising the sand patch'
Brooke Pyke

On a crystal clear day, one of the Ningaloo Reef's annual visitors cruises over the bright white sand on the outer reef. Whale sharks aggregate to the coast of Western Australia each year to feed on the nutrient rich waters of the Ningaloo. To see a whale shark in such clear waters over the whitest section of sand was truly an incredible moment to photograph.

Judge's comment: Very fine and delicate composition and excellent decision to convert the image in black and white. High contrasts are the key element for shots like this which are often only grey and grey. The photographer took the right decision to send it into this category. For me, personally, this image also could have placed even higher. :-)
Tobias Friedrich