UPY 2025

UPY  Coral Reefs - Commended
'Underwater Colorful Snowstorm: Coral Spawning'
Dr. Tom Shlesinger

Unveiling the enigmatic world of coral reproduction reveals a stunning underwater show. Like clockwork, thousands of corals across vast distances synchronize their release of egg-and-sperm bundles into the sea—this is how corals make babies. Yet capturing this mesmerizing phenomenon is no small feat, demanding precision and patience as it occurs once annually, on a specific month and night, within a narrow time window of minutes.
This image is part of a long-term scientific-documentary project in the Red Sea, exploring the vibrant reproductive rituals of corals and other reef dwellers. Immersing myself in this project, I dedicated over 300 nights to unveiling the secrets of coral reefs' nightlife. The image features a slow-shutter close-up of a branching coral spawning pinkish bundles, gracefully drifting with the currents. The enchanting spectacle, akin to an upside-down, and colourful snowstorm, provides a unique aesthetic sensation, offering a glimpse into the magical nocturnal underwater life.

Judge's comment: The Coral Reef category would not have been complete without a spawning image and I loved this right from the start and continued to champion it through the rounds. A well lit celebration of life’s natural cycle.

Peter Rowlands