March 2022 Photo Contest Winner and Review
WINNER CHOSEN AND REVIEW BY SCUBAVERSE.COM’S UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR NICK ROBERTSON-BROWN
WINNER: Longimanus by Claude Lespagne
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!
Look at me! by Maria Bereozka: It is always a challenge to get a lionfish to face the camera – so well done getting this lovely portrait. The fire coral and beuatiful blue water add to a lovely shot.
Dolphins! by Claude Lespagne: Lovely shot! I think the leaders in this pod are really engaging with the photographer and it shows through into this image. Plenty of eye contact. It does make me wonder what the colour version looked like?
Longimanus by Claude Lespagne: A stunning image of a Red Sea Oceanic Whitetip Shark. The surface of the water, with sun shinging through and blue water below really set off this image. Sad to see the shark has something stuck in this mouth, but a super image.
Clown (Maldive anemonefish) by Christian Horras: Wow! A common subject for all underwater photographers, but this really is wonderful. The colours are so vibrant. The lighting and depth of field perfect.
Welcome to my den! by Bill Passmore: These morays really suit black and white photography. Very dramatic!
Long arm Octopus by Magali: Lovely black water image of a long arm octopus. Focus on the eye is perfect. Really well lit. Well done.
Goby with eggs by Regie Casia: The detail on this image is incredible. Just really well done! Lovely red tones against a black background. This jumps out from the screen.
Flabelina by Carlos Javier Maraver Albenca: Purple against black! This really catches the eye. A lovely portrait of a flabelina nudibranch species.
After much deliberation by our judge….
The results
Winner: Longimanus by Claude Lespagne
Runner-up: Clown (Maldive anemonefish) by Christian Horras
Third: Long arm Octopus by Magali
Highly Commended: Goby with eggs by Regie Casia
Congratulations to those who were placed – there were a number of excellent images, and well done to all those that entered.
Scubaverse.com’s April 2022 Underwater Photo Contest is now open! Enter as many as three of your underwater photos here.
