UPY 2025

UPY  Black & White - Winner
'Water Dancers'
Jasmine Skye Smith

This image was from a creative shoot from my first underwater portrait exhibition "Underneath" (held in August 2023). I challenged myself to be outside of my comfort zone and push myself creatively. I approached some girls from the synchronised swimming team to do a shoot and I booked the heated dive pool as it was our winter. I was expecting to be using the 3m depth side but at last minute they said we would be using the 5m end which was amazing to play with in such a controlled environment- but also came with the challenge of a slanted edge down the bottom which proved very difficult to keep my black backdrop in place with my usual weights. The two 6x3m backdrops only held in place for a few minutes before coming apart -and this was one of the magical captures in that short window.

Judge's comment: Black and white! A minimalist composition that invites us to compare and contrast the two halves of this intriguing frame. Fantastic teamwork between the photographer and the two elegant models.
Alex Mustard