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UPY 2026 Macro - Highly Commended
'Shelter in the flames'
Zlati Zlatev
Two years after my first visit to the Lembeh Strait, I returned last summer, drawn again to its rich macro life. While the region is famous for pygmy seahorses and mandarinfish, I am particularly fascinated by porcelain crabs and coconut octopuses, subjects brimming with personality and found in striking environments.
This image was an unexpected discovery. Seeing the crab glowing within its anemone, I aimed to create a scene that felt warm and intimate, like a fiery sanctuary. The moment felt calm and meditative, offering a brief immersion into the fragile, hidden world of the reef.
Judge's comment: Great capture of an idea that is not new but perfectly executed! The light distribution from outside the anemone is so nice and soft while the porcelain crab sits in perfect composition!
Tobias Friedrich
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