UPY 2025

UPY  British Waters Macro - Highly Commended
'Curvacious kelp'
Sandra Stalker

This shot was taken on a lovely summer shore diving trip to the fabulous Porthkerris Drawna rock. This particular dive I was trying out a slightly wider lens instead of my usual obsession with supermacro so had no idea what to photograph. On entering the water looking around for potential subjects the thing that immediately stood out was the stunning golden colour and beautiful curves of the healthy kelp all over the site. I really loved the solitary snails just gliding along the kelp, mooching around minding their own business. I found a wonderful and not too stroppy snail supermodel positioned nicely on a strand of kelp. To light the shot I decided to snoot the scene to create shadows to accentuate the fabulous curves and golden colour of the kelp against a dark background. My aim is always to show beauty in the ordinary through my images.

Judge's comment: Excellent light and very artistic image of an ordinary subject which is not easy to get. The photographer did a great job to frame this photograph perfectly. I love these moody and simple scenes in a kelp forest very much and was happy that the image placed so high in the competition. Well done.
Tobias Friedrich