UPY 2025

UPY  Marelux Wide Angle - Commended
'Sprats circle the Sarcophyton'
Peter J Mumby

Large schools of round herring sprats (baitfish) are mesmerizing and attract many predators. I usually focus on photographing the hunters, but on this occasion I considered how the sprats use the habitat of the reef as a refuge. As I got closer to the reef, sprats left the shelter of the soft corals and circled in 'organised' schools. This led me to wonder how I could use my own body to manipulate the schooling baitfish into provide appealing backdrops to coral reef animals like this soft coral and sea fan.

Judge's comment: There is always a sophistication in simplicity, something that is incredibly challenging to pull off when an already bustling coral reef is drowned in school baitfish. Classy work.
Alex Mustard