UPY 2025

UPY  Black & White - Commended
'Thresher shark portrait'
Gillian Marsh

I had long wanted to see thresher sharks up close, my only previous sighting being around 50m below me in clear deep water near Ras Mohammed. A trip to Malapascua Island in June 2023, with the promise of dives on Monad Shoal, offered that opportunity. Monad was known as a reliable location for sightings, as the deep water thresher sharks migrated to shallower water every morning for cleaning. On arrival, we heard some tiger sharks had recently moved in around Monad and the threshers had consequently moved to nearby Kimud Shoal. The move appeared to have also changed their behaviour, as they were much less cautious of divers, came shallower and stayed later in the day, than I had been led to expect. With the use of flash not allowed, these changes greatly improved the photographic potential. This particular individual, with its distinctive black nose, made several close passes.

Judge's comment: I loved this image but I was on my own so had to emphasise the lovely black and white tones especially on the skin, perfect composition and engaging eye contact. The criticised background was in positive contrast to my eye. I’m glad I stuck it out.
Peter Rowlands