UPY 2025

UPY  Macro - Runner Up
'Dazzling Donut Doto'
Bryan H. Blauvelt

Bali, Indonesia, is a stunning tropical paradise known for its lush rice terraces, vibrant culture, pristine beaches, and sacred temples. A perfect blend of natural beauty and spiritual charm on this special island encourages creativity, and the muck and rubble slopes of Tulamben produce a steady stream of mind-blowing critter encounters to the delight of any underwater photographer.
I wanted to leave this inspirational place with a unique image of Doto greenamyeri, one of the most striking subjects in Tulamben. I created a dramatic glowing effect on the nudibranch with my strobe and snoot, and completed the frame by backlighting the host hydroid with subtle blue light to balance the composition. Thank you to my incredible guide Rudolfi Sikome at Alam Batu for holding a torch in position for the backlighting effect on this image, and for a productive and fun week of photography!

Judge's comment: The detailed patterns of this nudibranch are only matched by the precise control of light and composition in this picture. The sea slug is sitting on a delicate hydroid that moves in the current. It must have taken tremendous dedication to craft such a perfect frame.

Alex Mustard