May 2022 Photo Contest Winner and Review
WINNER CHOSEN AND REVIEW BY SCUBAVERSE.COM’S UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR NICK ROBERTSON-BROWN
WINNER: Dolphins by Cedric Peneau
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!
Flames by Raffaele: stunning nudibrach portrait. Vivid colours against a black background. Stunning details.
From the Below by Raffaele: Such an strong image. The manta in a barrel roll is lit in a way that really shows off the movement and grace of this magnificent beast.
Odontaspis ferox by claude lespagne: A super sand tiger shark portrait. I love that you can see the seascape and surface in this shot.
the face of the seahorse by Min seok Jeon: A really close up portrait of a seahorse shows off its incredible eye. Great focus.
Lion Mane by Sofia Tenggrono: Another super nudibranch portrait. Head on, with a black background, this yelow and blue nudi image really stands out.
Orcinus Orca by Giacomo Antonio Rossi: Wow! I would have loved to have seen and photographer this moment. lovely eye contact and the second orca following is the icing on the cake.
Nice to meet you! by Maria Bereozka: I like this as it shows the reef below and it looks like the manta is having a lot of fun!
Gorgonocéphale (Astrocladus euryale) by arnaud.guillebert: Super colours and detail. Sometimes the simle things can really stand out.
Lights in the dark by Maria Bereozka: One of my favourite animals in the sea. I love this image. So simple, yet stunning. The beautiful pattern on the eagle ray is the only focus.
Dolphins by Cedric Peneau: Stunning portrait of two dolphins. I love how they are so engaged with the photographer. It really shows off their characters. The detail is wonderful.
After much deliberation by our judge….
The results
Winner: Dolphins by Cedric Peneau
Runner-up: Orcinus Orca by Giacomo Antonio Rossi
Third: Lion Mane by Sofia Tenggrono
Highly Commended: Lights in the dark by Maria Bereozka & From the Below by Raffaele
Congratulations to those who were placed – there were a number of excellent images, and well done to all those that entered.
Scubaverse.com’s June 2022 Underwater Photo Contest is now open! Enter as many as three of your underwater photos here.
