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UPY 2026 Portrait - Highly Commended
'Forest Guardian'
James Emery
Historically, Monterey was the cold northern limit for California Sheephead, but warming oceans have turned this bay into their new playground. While often skittish, this large male was surprisingly bold during a solitary New Year's Day dive. With no other divers around to spook him, he became fascinated by his own reflection in my dome port. This narcissism bought me 40 minutes of interaction, allowing me to carefully compose the shot. To emphasize his character, I used a Backscatter Hybrid Flash with a custom-made beam restrictor. This controlled lighting allowed me to create a moody portrait that highlights his iconic teeth and 'guardian' status within the kelp forest, turning a lucky encounter into a deliberate study of character.
Judge's comment: What a character. What impact. Boom! An underwater portrait that was impossible to ignore and impossible not to award.
Alex Mustard
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