UPY 2025

UPY  Compact - Commended
'Sexy Dancer on spot'
Ben Sarinda

Lembeh Strait has always been an impressive place to capture underwater photos. On this day I was interested in trying using backlight on a sexy shrimp , a particularly challenging subject because they always jumping from one place to another. Usually before taking a picture I always explore what is around my subject, to create a more interesting picture. I used snoot with a mix of pink and positioned it towards the camera. I decided to compose the silhouette of the anemone behind the sexy shrimp, I angled the camera in a diagonal position to placed the shrimp in the middle of the light to get this bright backlight effect. I am happy that the shrimp is on the perfect position.

Judge's comment: Graphically powerfully and visually intriguing. The silhouetted shrimp grabs your attention and then you eye explores the more subtle elements in the frame, like the anemone tentacles and the delicate appendages of the shrimp.
Alex Mustard