UPY 2025

UPY  Wide Angle - Highly Commended
'Underwater Study 104'
John Pfisterer

This image was captured in the early morning at the USAT Liberty Wreck in Tulamben, Bali. Shooting at this hour allowed for maximum visibility and minimized the presence of other divers, helping to convey the profound sense of isolation.
The USAT Liberty was torpedoed by Japanese forces in 1942 and was ran aground on the Tulamben shore before being abandoned. Volcanic eruptions have pushed her underwater and she now rests at a depth of 100 feet. Heavily colonised by marine life, the wreck has been transformed into a stunning reef, spanning nearly 400 feet.
The model, a trained free diver, was carefully positioned on an upright section of the remaining structure at 90 ft. Safety divers helped manage the logistics, supplying her with air from multiple tanks and controlling the unwieldy 30-foot dress. To capture both the grandeur and elegance of the scene Nauticam’s water contact FCP port was used.

Judge's comment: Good idea for a different kind of image of the popular Liberty wreck in Bali. The huge dress of the model floats so nicely, which makes it a big portion of the image, not only literally. Kudos to the model as well for a very nicely maintained position and look, especially at the depth.

Tobias Friedrich