UPY 2025

UPY  British Waters Wide Angle - Third
'Bass shoal'
Rick Ayrton

I had taken my Nauticam EMWL probe lens (I think with the 130 degree optic) on a dive to the Eddystone reef south of Plymouth. I had been working on a number of close focus wide angle subjects, when I was aware of a large shoal of bass swimming above me. I used the probe lens as a simple wide angle lens and was very pleased to see that the lens was capable of good quality in this situation. My strobes were on minimum power. I purposely under exposed the shot knowing how reflective the silver scales of bass can be, adjusting the exposure and highlights in post to get the image you see. I think the swirling kelp fronds help to set the scene and the diagonal direction of the fish creates a pleasing composition.

Judge's comment: It is wonderful to see such profusion of fish life in British Waters, but we also really liked the presentation of this shot, which almost feels like a duotone print. Powerful and original.

Alex Mustard