UPY2023
Title : Unsung
Photographer : Shane Gross , United States Award : First place , Macro International
“ Walking along a rocky shoreline in Canada , we would peer under rocks using a probe lens and my camera ’ s LCD screen to look for plainfin midshipman nests . Once found , I would lay on top of the barnacle-covered rocks , cutting my elbows , trying to compose images of fish most people have never heard of despite having one of the most interesting lifecycles of any animal . Plainfin midshipman are deep water fish that travel to the intertidal zone to spawn . The males sing to attract females – she will lay as many eggs as his singing deserves before moving on to the next singer . Now , the male has a chance to fertilise the eggs , but only if he is not beaten to the punch by a sneaker male who looks like a female . The singer male will then guard the nest never knowing the kids may not be his . Drama !” © Shane Gross / UPY2023
Title : Crowd Control
Photographer : Andy Schmid , Switzerland Award : Runner-up , Wide Angle Section
“ A female orca swims through a bait ball of herring , turning it into a donut . I ’ ve been traveling to Northern Norway for the five past winters to witness one of our planet ’ s most spectacular wildlife events , the herring migration into the fjords , which attracts a large number of orcas and humpback whales . Wildlife photography is not just about skills , it ’ s also about patience , perseverance and being in the right place , at the right time . This winter it all came together on more than one occasion , allowing me to freedive on static bait balls over and over again , yielding a series of photos I had never imagined I would ever be able to create .” © Andy Schmid / UPY2023 �
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