UPY 2025

UPY  Wrecks - Highly Commended
'Breaking Point'
Becky Kagan Schott

The S.S. Norman is a Great Lakes shipwreck I dive often, so I'm constantly pushing myself to capture new images that help tell it's story. It sank in a collision on a foggy morning in 1895. It was hit so hard it cut the freighter in half sending it into the depths and taking the lives of three crew members. In this photograph technical divers are illuminating the massive break that goes all the way though the ship as they swim through it. I stayed off the wreck to try and capture a wide perspective which is challenging because it's very low light conditions even though the water is clear. I used a very slow shutter speed to allow more ambient light in and capture the entire stern section along with several cargo holds.

Judge's comment: The best wreck images are build on atmosphere and this stunning image definitely delivers. The composition perfectly highlights exactly why this ship became a wreck.
Alex Mustard