UPY 2025

UPY  Black & White - Winner
'Chasing Dolphins'
Enric Gener

This image was captured in the northern Red Sea during a freediving expedition in search of bottlenose dolphins. The moment portrays an intimate mating ritual, where several males—four visible in the picture, though others were nearby—were playfully chasing a female. It was a dynamic and ritualistic display, with the males engaging in friendly skirmishes and occasionally mating with the female, their bodies joining briefly for just a few seconds. Notably, the female was not attempting to escape; she actively participated, playing along and waiting for them. The entire group swam gracefully and at a slow, deliberate pace, creating a mesmerizing underwater scene.

Judge's comment: This image shows the definition of black and white photography, the composition comes alive with the thoughtful conversion to monochrome. Fantastic image.

Tobias Friedrich