UPY 2025

UPY  Macro - Highly Commended
'Juvenile Emperor Angelfish'
Adam Martin

During a macro dive in Bali, I set out to capture slow shutter images of a juvenile emperor angelfish. Its striking colours and patterns seemed perfect for creating unique, abstract textures with motion blur. I aimed to freeze the fish's face while transforming its intricate patterns and colours into an abstract, dynamic composition. To achieve this, a slow shutter speed was used, a flash was directed at the fish's face (to freeze its motion), and a dive torch illuminated its body (to enhance the sense of movement). The resulting image was supernatural!

Judge's comment: Very good idea and perfect execution of a beautiful subject ! The blue background fits perfectly to the fish as well and the mirror image of it is a pleasure to look at. If the "main" angelfish would have had a bit more connection with the face, it would have placed even higher.

Tobias Friedrich