UPY 2025

UPY  Compact - Commended
'Fluo lizardfish'
James Lynott

The first time I night dived in Madeira with fluorescence gear was back in 2017 which was a fantastic experience finding lots of fluorescing fireworms and lizardfish. Ever since then I had been eager to try it again. I Had my chance in September 2022 and did two wonderful night dives at the Manta Diving Madeira house reef, which sits inside the Garajau underwater nature reserve. On these dives the choice of fluorescent subjects were plentiful, but it was the lizardfish that again stole the show, they were everywhere and showing lots of variation in their incredible fluorescent patterns. I used 2 x Light&Motion Sola Nightsea lights in ‘spot’ mode together with a Fantasea UCL-900f macro lens to get this shot.

Judge's comment: I’m going to be honest with you - fluorescent images are not my cup of tea with the usual monochromatic green colour but this image, with its contrasting colours like celebratory party decorations, changed my mind.
Peter Rowlands