UPY 2025

UPY  Black & White - Third
'Tursiop dolphins at the surface of Mayotte lagoon'
Serge Melesan

I have been a scuba diver for a long time, but since living in Mayotte I like to swim at the surface and see this incredible life, like these bottlenose dolphins. The dolphins here are shy and you can’t approach them or use flash. My goal was to a family image to show that they are hierarchical animals, and to include the surface in the picture to show that these animals are there just below the surface of the sea. To be honest, the lines of light on the dolphins was a lucky strike, but when I came back home and saw this image I thought it could be a UPY finalist. Sometimes to be there you need to be a bit lucky.

Judge's comment: An instant hit with all of the judges for the intelligent choice of black and white, perfect composition with beautiful surface reflections and textures on the dolphins. Got better with each viewing.
Peter Rowlands