February 2022 Photo Contest Winner and Review
WINNER CHOSEN AND REVIEW BY SCUBAVERSE.COM’S UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR NICK ROBERTSON-BROWN
WINNER: Paper Nautilus by PJ Aristorenas
Another great month full of wonderful underwater images! It was really tough to narrow it down to the finalists here.
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!
Paper Nautilus by PJ Aristorenas: What a wonderful black water image. A challenging subject, but the lighting is just right to show off the stunning colours without overexposing the shiny silver parts. The detail is incredible.
The descending by Raffaele: I love the angle of the nudibranch heading down to the bottom of the shot. The view through Snell’s Window. The detail of the subject and the environment is really well done. A super close focus wide angle image.
Barracuda On The Move by Patricia Dusman: The panning effect of this is great. The barracuda on the move against that background makes this image stand out.
Cuttling by Suliman A.: Lovely black and white behaviour shot that makes the beautiful pattern of these cuttlefish stand out.
Eye of the Cuttle fish ! by Claude Lespagne: Lovely detail of this cuttlefish eye. I could spend a long time looking at this image.
The hunt by Giacomo Antonio Rossi: What a moment! I would have loved to have been on this trip! Orca hunting mobular rays. Incredible.
Wild and Free by Giacomo Antonio Rossi: Beautiful image of a freediver joining a pod of dolphin in clear blue water. Stunning and evocative.
Social Little Fellows by Bill Passmore: Lovely image of feather duster worms. Great they are all still out and have not been disturbs. The tips seem to glow.
Walking on the moon by Yann Toso: The eye-catching pattern on the sponge really sets off the main nudibranch subject making its way from the top of the frame diagonally across the image.
one breath for three by Alex: Stunning! The mono-finned freediver upside-down in this incredible scene really makes this image. You can image being that diver and what they must feel sharing the ocean with these magnificent whales. Add the clarifty of the blue water, the light beams and the turbulent surface – this image has it all.
Baitball by Christian Horras: A stand out image. A wonderful moving baitball being circled by sealions. The reflection on the surface makes this image even better.
Salem Express by Christian Horras: What a stunning angle for this image. One I have not seen before. The diver is perfectly positioned. The lighting perfectly handled. Bravo.
The mother of octopus by Min seok Jeon: A really interesting image. An unusual angle that really works. The eye peaking out and the up close angle catch the eye.
Shy in front of my eye by Peg Mosch: A lovely portrait of a seahorse with all the detail and intricate patterns highlighted.
After much deliberation by our judge….
The results
Winner: Paper Nautilus by PJ Aristorenas
Runner-up: one breath for three by Alex
Third: Salem Express by Christian Horras
Highly Commended: The descending by Raffaele, Cuttling by Suliman A, Eye of the Cuttle fish ! by Claude Lespagne & Wild and Free by Giacomo Antonio Rossi
Congratulations to those who were placed – there were a number of excellent images, and well done to all those that entered.
Scubaverse.com’s March 2022 Underwater Photo Contest is now open! Enter as many as three of your underwater photos here.
