UPY 2025

UPY  Marelux Wide Angle - Highly Commended
'Sunset on the skin'
Isaias Cruz

In my opinion sharing the water with blue sharks is the most incredible experience, with their beautiful shapes, relaxed swimming and close, curious passes. I think they are the most grateful shark species to photograph as well. I had been dreaming about this kind of photo for a long time, a split shot with a sunset over the surface and the shark under it, but in the Bay of Biscay having the right conditions with current, wind, swell and clear sky is not a common thing. But on this day, everything finally came together.

Judge's comment: A graphically simple and unambiguous image of an iconic subject with perfect eye contact topped off by the sun’s glowing rays. A powerful, perfectly executed image, it was an immediate contender for the finals.
Peter Rowlands