UPY 2025

UPY  Wrecks - Highly Commended
'Guardian of the Thistlegorm'
Jon Anderson

After spending the night anchored on the S.S. Thistlegorm, my buddy and I saw the opportunity to be the first divers on the wreck the next morning. As we explored one of the cargo holds, I spotted the human-sized head of a Giant Moray Eel poking out from beneath the wreckage of a truck. I carefully navigated around the eel hoping to capture blue water through the hold in the background. Almost immediately, the eel came out of its hole, turned and swam toward me.  Startled, I raised my camera, partially as a shield and partially knowing I had to squeeze the shutter even if I wasn’t ready.  The interaction lasted seconds and produced 4 frames.  After collecting myself and I reviewed the frames and was delighted to see I had captured a frame with the eel, the blue water, and even one of the famous motorcycles!

Judge's comment: Very nice encounter in a wreck which is not easy to shoot. Very good composition of the photographer an excellent balance between the lighting of the moray eel and the background.
Tobias Friedrich