UPY 2025

UPY  British Waters Compact - Highly Commended
'Rockpool fluorescence'
James Lynott

Split shots with fluorescing snakelocks anemones have been a bit of a project of mine for a while now and I had been trying to find ways to create more interesting shots with this technique. Most of the ideas I had require a lot of luck with weather and tide conditions, which didn’t always work out! I found a new rockpool (with some helpful local advice) last year which contained some really nice snakelocks and showed promise for some nice shots. Taken in November 2022 this particular shot involved a very early start in order to reach the rockpool near Oban at around 07:15 and collect some images before sunrise. This was taken using a 1 second exposure on my Canon g7xII/Fantasea FG7XII, along with a Weefine wfl01 lens, underwater tripod setup with L bracket, handheld UV torch to illuminate the anemones, and head torch light up the rocks.

Judge's comment: Excellent play between the worlds in this split shot. The fluorescene light makes the shot, below and above the surface. If there would have been a small, additional element in the top side of the image - it could have been placed even higher.
Tobias Friedrich