UPY 2025

UPY  Wrecks - Runner Up
'Deep Sea Birds'
Wojciech Dopierala

Aqaba is well known among most divers and was high on my wish list for years. Finally, a perfect opportunity was created by Carlos Diesel (the agile freediver you can see on this photo) in collaboration with Diverse Divers Diving Center. We were lucky to freedive all around Aqaba wrecks for the week. This photo was made on our second visit to this particular dive spot. The idea came suddenly at the very end of our time. We only made one attempt at this shot. Fortunately, Carlos did amazing job. Looking at the scene, before I even pressed the shutter, I already had the feeling that it's probably the best shot of the trip.

Judge's comment: I love the fresh images that freediving photography is bringing to underwater photography as a whole. Creating such a perfect composition and moment takes particularly high skills when both photographer and model are on breath-hold dives.

Alex Mustard