UPY 2026 Macro - Runner Up

UPY 2026 Macro - Runner Up
'JAWS'
Fabian Becker

In Bohol, Philippines, lizardfish are common and easily overlooked reef inhabitants, typically encountered resting motionless on sand or rubble. With this image, I wanted to move beyond the predictable image of a sedentary ambush predator, and reveal an unexpected view of the species.
Lizardfish are surprisingly skittish at close range, requiring a slow and deliberate approach. Working alone, I carefully positioned a snooted strobe on an extra-long arm behind the subject, backlighting the head to completely isolate it from the environment and fundamentally alter its appearance. Combined with a very low shooting angle, this approach allowed the impressive jawline to emerge, complemented by the subtle textures of the skin and the reflective quality of the eyes, transforming a lizardfish into something almost sculptural.
The result is an image that invited the viewer to pause and reconsider a fish they may have seen countless times.

Judge's comment: It takes a new approach to stand out with oft photographed subjects and this is a classic example. Very well lit and composed, it is graphically simple and symmetrical with the lighting on the mouth, the icing on the photographic cake, seemingly coming from inside. The negative space above is also contributing significantly.