UPY 2025

UPY  Black & White - Commended
'Curious Pup'
Jon Anderson

Spring brings many cute young harbor seal pups in Monterey, California. They are often shy toward divers, but occasionally one will be very friendly. This young harbor seal approached my buddies and as we were entering from the beach for a dive. It swam between us for 15 minutes, checking us out. The morning was overcast and our interaction was in the shallows, we did not have a beautiful kelp forest or explosive sunbeams for the background. I framed the shot to include a sliver of Snell’s window at the top of the frame to have something more than just the seal in the composition. While processing, I decided the simple high contrast composition worked well in black and white.

Judge's comment: Take note. This is a classic example of what a successful black and white image must contain. Pure blacks, pure whites with delicate shades in between. Graphically simple with an unobtrusive but vital surface reflection, it oozes quality. Less is more is much more.

Peter Rowlands