June 2021 Photo Contest Winner and Review

WINNER CHOSEN AND REVIEW BY SCUBAVERSE.COM’S UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR NICK ROBERTSON-BROWN

WINNER: “It’s my turn to have the camera now!” by Charly Clerisse

Another month filled with incredible images, both macro and wide angle, from all around the world. So many great images to go through!

When judging any underwater photography competition, the first thing I do is ask of each image: Is it in focus? The main subject has to be pin sharp. Is it exposed correctly?

I then look at lighting (photography is all about light) and composition. Backscatter, hot spots of light, messy backgrounds: all might see your image lose out.

Then there are other considerations that might get you knocked out of the first round: Was the image taken underwater? After all it is an underwater photography competition! Were any animals distressed or harassed to get the image? Was any environmental damage done to get the shot?

Once I have whittled out the images that do not pass these criteria, it is time to get down to picking a winner. A shot that makes me go wow – I wish I had taken that!

Alas I cannot discuss each and every image but here are a few that caught my eye and why:

Juvenile Bearded Fireworm by John Fowler: Lovely colours and use of depth of field makes this image jump out.

Sardine run by Francisco Jose Medina Maldonado: So much going on in this shot with the schooling fish and divers on the wreck. Really gives the viewer a great idea on what it was like to be there.

“It’s my turn to have the camera now!” by Charly Clerisse: Wow! What a moment and well done for getting the shot when you had so much going on. The fact that you got the eye in focus and engaged with the viewer is a real bonus.

Humpback whale family by Herbert Futterknecht: While Humpback Whale images are now much more common and we see a lot in this competition, it is still rare to get three in a single shot. This image was perfectly timed too, with a lovely shape to this whale family. Very nice indeed.

Great White come to the surface by Herbert Futterknecht: Very dramatic with the Great White Shark just about to break the surface of the water. Excellent that you captured the reflection of the shark.

jellys by matan bechar: So many jellyfish in a single image. This caught my eye for the sheer number, but also the delicate lighting and complimentary colours.

Red spotted porcelain crab by divejackdive: Nice to see the crab feeding. Images of marine life behaviour always stand out from the crowd.

It’s mine! by Giacomo Antonio Rossi: These are a favourite subject of mine. I love diving with them and photographing them and this shot is special because of the fight the two are having over the lobster.

Snowstorm by Suliman A.: A lovely nudi shot. The colours are subtle and the shallow depth of field is perfect for this subject in this environment.

Shrimp by Adam Sokolski: This is a beautiful macro image. Simple and un-fussy to look at and the subject is pin sharp. Super colours too.

Jabba the Hut by Frank Michels: A wonderful fish portrait with such an expression on his face. Made me smile.

Sunprayer by Frank Michels: Simple yet stunning image of a turtle and sun rays. Good eye contact with your subject. No distractions in the backgroud. Clear  and sharp. Lovely.

Eyes by Oksana Maksymova: Pin sharp eyes peering out of the shell. Love this image.

The sunset by Daniel Halmi: Lovely still water for this split shot with a beautiful sunset above and part of a wreck below.

Big Mistake by MichaelG: An amazing behaviour shot with a super reflection too. The pufferfish eye is in focus and looking right at the camera.

Nurseshark B/W by Jan Leya: Simple and striking image.

Grouper by claude lespagne: Super expression and interaction in this image. The simple background really helps the subject stand out.

A very chilled Shyshark on a reef by Nakita Willemse: I love this shyshark peeking out from the colourful reef.

Hunchback amphipods giving a shyshark a little nose tickle by Nakita Willemse: Wow! I have never seen this before and that makes it stand out from the crowd. Well done – the angle of the shot if perfect to show off the amphipods on and around the shark.

Meeting the Giants by Cedric Peneau: A stunning image and what really makes it stand out is the underwater photographer in the shot. It makes you understand what it was like to be there and what a special encounter it was. Lovely.

After much deliberation by our judge….

The results

Winner: “It’s my turn to have the camera now!” by Charly Clerisse

Runner-up: Hunchback amphipods giving a shyshark a little nose tickle by Nakita Willemse

Third Place: Meeting the Giants by Cedric Peneau

Highly Commended: Snowstorm by Suliman A & Sunprayer by Frank Michels

Congratulations to those who were placed – there were a number of excellent images, and well done to all those that entered.

Scubaverse.com’s July 2021 Underwater Photo Contest is now open! Enter as many as three of your underwater photos here.