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UPY 2026 Black & White - Highly Commended
'Face to Face in the Frozen Deep'
Lars von Ritter Zahony
Eye to eye in the frozen silence, I meet the gaze of a leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) a sovereign of the Antarctic deep. Its presence radiates raw power, a silent warning that I am a trespasser in its hunting realm. In that moment, respect outweighs fear, and the wild reminds me who truly rules these icy waters. With its gaping jaws, it shows me its dominance. Its presence commands respect, a living embodiment of power in a world where only the fiercest endure.
Judge's comment: A good choice and perfect use of black and white to keep it graphically simple and emphasise the portrait and, more importantly the message being imparted by this apex predator. Perfectly timed, lit and exposed. A meeting of power and talent.
Peter Rowlands
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