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UPY 2026 Award winners - Most Promising British Underwater Photographer 2026
'Crowded House'
Natalie Yarrow
Peering into the crevices of this vibrant barrel sponge, I could see several dark figures moving around like shadow puppets. This turned out to be a large colony of hinge-beak shrimps, living together in very close quarters! While somewhat of a tight squeeze, communal living suits these social and cooperative creatures, as well as providing 'safety in numbers' against predators. Further, the craggy pink walls allow for great camouflage. I selected a wide aperture so that each shrimp is rendered increasingly out of focus as the eye is drawn deeper into the sponge. Those individuals at the back are reduced to a fuzzy puzzle of white dots and stripes. I would like to thank my guide, Wix (Scuba Seraya), for finding these shrimps for me, and also for taking me back to the same spot a second time as I liked them so much, which resulted in my getting this shot.
Judge's comment: Sometimes you don’t have to shout to say ‘Look at me’. You let your image do the talking and this image made the judges listen and take notice. The stepped, receding depth of field leads the eye effortlessly through the frame and back to the subject. Talent indeed.
Peter Rowlands
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