UPY  British Waters Living Together - Third}

UPY  British Waters Living Together - Third
'British Beauties'
Lewis Jefferies

This image was captured during a photo commission for PADI to help promote UK and cold-water diving at Porthkerris Divers, Cornwall. Regarded as one of the UK’s best shore dives, Drawna rock is a small pinnacle that drops to around 20 meters at high tide. Bursting with life, it provided an excellent location for a shoot celebrating UK diving!
Poor visibility - quite typical for UK diving – meant getting close to the subjects was key to creating vibrant images. I found a small triangular area of the reef with starfish on which I thought would look lovely in the foreground, and then directed the divers either side for some symmetry. I shot a few frames, then the large Ballan Wrasse swam into the left of the image, causing Greg - the diver on the right - to make a great surprised expression, completing the scene.

Judge's comment: We loved the genuine reaction of the diver in this shot. It is a small gesture, but it transforms the image into a winner, while showing off the simple pleasures of exploring your local underwater world.
Alex Mustard