July 2022 Photo Contest Winner and Review
WINNER CHOSEN AND REVIEW BY SCUBAVERSE.COM’S UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR NICK ROBERTSON-BROWN
WINNER: Nemo by Jan Leya
Another great month full of wonderful underwater images!
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!
Seahorse by Min seok Jeon: I liked this seahorse image the best as it shows the seahorse in its natural environment. The orange seahorse is set off really well by the green seaweed behind. Really sharp focus on the subject too.
Let’s Play !! by Cedric Peneau: Love this shot. you can really feel the motion and emotion. The surface of the water, with both reflection and splash elements really add to a great image.
the bouquet by Cedric Peneau: I love the detail in this image. What an amazing nudibranch! The black background and pin-sharp focus are tremendous.
Tangled by Sofia Tenggrono: What a great Nudibranch shot of it eating as it climbs up its food. Lovely focus and this works well with a black background too.
Stingray by claude lespagne: I love the drama and motion in this shot. Nice eye contact with the ray too.
Nemo by Jan Leya: Wonderful image of a common subject. The bokeh anemonefish in the background makes this shot. lovely eye contact with both subjects.
Longnose hawkfish From Mayotte by arnaud.guillebert: A nice portrait shot of a hawkfish. Good lighting to not over-expose the shiny fish and to light some of its habitat to give context to the shot.
Chains and Gorgonians by Jack Der: What a beautiful underwater scene. The chains, gorgonians and kelp all combining to create a stunning window into the blue.
Cusk Eel Larva- Brotula posing by Sergio Coni: A stunning black water shot of a eel larva. These images highlight the amazing marine life that can be found out over deep water at night.
Sharpear Enope Squid by Sergio Coni: Another lovely black water image. The lighting on this is delicately done and works really well. I didn’t know the Cayman Islands had such amazing black water diving opportunities.
After much deliberation by our judge….
The results
Winner: Nemo by Jan Leya
Runner-Up: Let’s Play !! by Cedric Peneau
Third: Cusk Eel Larva- Brotula posing by Sergio Coni
Highly Commended: Chains and Gorgonians by Jack Der
Congratulations to those who were placed – there were a number of excellent images, and well done to all those that entered.
Scubaverse.com’s August 2022 Underwater Photo Contest is now open! Enter as many as three of your underwater photos here.
