UPY 2025

UPY  Wide Angle - Runner Up
'Ethereal Moonscape'
Alvaro Herrero (Mekan)

A diver using a rebreather glides through one of my favorite caves in the Yucatán Peninsula. The rebreather was a critical piece of equipment for this shot. Using rebreathers in the caves allows us to spend much more time exploring their depths, and enhances my photos as it gives us the opportunity to precisely illuminate the scene. By not emitting bubbles, we also help protect the features of the cave features and disturb far fewer particles, which is particularly advantageous when photographing less-frequented spots. Rebreathers also deliver much more efficient decompression times. To illuminate this room, we used 60,000 lumens of warm light from two BigBlue video lights.

Judge's comment: Cenotes create some of the most spectacular scenery in the underwater world but accessing it requires extensive training, specialist diving equipment and real dedication even before you take a photo. We get a lot of cenote shots but this really stands apart for both the quality of this exquisite room and the photographic quality of lighting and composition.

Alex Mustard