December 2021 Photo Contest Winner and Review
WINNER CHOSEN AND REVIEW BY SCUBAVERSE.COM’S UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR NICK ROBERTSON-BROWN
WINNER: Fairy Palm Hydroid with Cumanotus Nudibranch by Jack Der
Wow – the last competition of 2021. It has been an incredible year for stunning images. December was another month filled with incredible images, both macro and wide angle, from all around the world.
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:
Stay on target… by Michael Meyer Fineberg: An amazing action shot of one of my favourite macro critters! They hunt at lighting speed so well done for getting the peak of the action.
Sunset flight by Miguel Ramirez: Stunning shallow shot with a lovely view through Snell’s Window.
Perfect Smile by Miguel Ramirez: This is simple yet stunning. The blue and the yellow of the parrotfish against a black background make this stand out, but it is the toothy smile that draws the viewer in for more.
Barrel Jellyfish by Graeme Parker: Lovely subject that has been well isolated so that the detail really stands out.
Fuzzy and petty by sagi maayan: The top half of this is stunning split shot of the sunset. A good subject for the bottom half too. This is my favourite of your double exposure this month.
Mother and son by Cedric Peneau: Beautiful image of a mother and son Humpback Whales. The eye contact with mum really makes the viewer able to engage with the stunning shot. I love the surface of the water too.
Cuttlefish by Jo Cudmore: I could look at cuttlefish for hours! Incredible creature and this shot really shows off just why they are so appealing. A difficult subject to light – well handled.
Free flight by Simon Heron: This image transports the viewer into the clear blue waters of Barbados. The light rays are stunning.
Carmel is calling by Griffon Walker: Sometimes the simple subjects are the best. Great use of depth of field to bokeh out the background too.
Sunbeams and Sebastes by Sage Ono: a very atmospheric shot with stunning sunbeams shining through the kelp forest onto a silhouetted school of fish below.
Face to face by Frank Nelissen: Lovely focus and detail on this close up portrait of a turtle.
Taste test by Griffon Walker: What an extraordinary shot! Conditions look a little challenging but to get this behaviour shot at all should be applauded!
Juvenile Mimic Octopus by PJ Aristorenas: These have to be my favourite black water subjects. They look like little aliens and are a perfect photographic subject which you have nailed in this image! The detail is incredible.
Hingabe by Christian Zink: I really like this one. The flowing dress really makes what is a very atmospheric image.
Pacific white-sided dolphin by Christian Horras: Wow – what a moment! And you have captured it perfectly.
Longimanus , Red Sea. by claude lespagne: What a sad image. A stunning shark now entangled in discarded gear. This image shows the ever more common plight of marine life being affected by plastic pollution. Images like this are both striking and important to send a message.
Fairy Palm Hydroid with Cumanotus Nudibranch by Jack Der: Simply stunning! What an image – you have found a great angle to create a nudibranch image unlike any other I have seen. A tiny critter in their environment. Great focusing and lighting skills. Bravo.
b r e e d i n g by AYUB MOODUTO: Stunning shot of these baby anemonefish just as they are hatching. I really like the single egg in focus and the rest in bokeh.
Octocoral by Bill Passmore: Lovely simple composition in black and white.
After much deliberation by our judge….
The results
Winner: Fairy Palm Hydroid with Cumanotus Nudibranch by Jack Der
Runner-up: Juvenile Mimic Octopus by PJ Aristorenas
Third Place: Longimanus , Red Sea. by claude lespagne
Highly Commended: Mother and son by Cedric Peneau; Perfect Smile by Miguel Ramirez; Taste test by Griffon Walker; Pacific white-sided dolphin by Christian Horras
Congratulations to those who were placed – there were a number of excellent images, and well done to all those that entered.
Scubaverse.com’s January 2022 Underwater Photo Contest is now open! Enter as many as three of your underwater photos here.
