3rd Place Compact Wide Angle

Marco Lausdei

"Fly High"

Marco Lausdei won a 7 night liveaboard trip for one person on the Bilikiki in the Solomon Islands from Bilikki Cruises

The Story:

We were diving at the famous Fish Head dive site when we encountered two eagle rays gracefully hovering at the top of the "thila," enjoying the strong current. I instinctively decided to try an unusual perspective shooting from below. This shot was particularly challenging for several reasons: despite the current, I needed to approach the animals quickly to avoid missing this rare moment, get close enough to illuminate them with the flash, and yet remain delicate enough not to disturb these typically shy creatures. At the same time, I had to set the camera and flashes for a backlit composition, ensuring a perfect vertical alignment to achieve a symmetrical effect. Another critical factor was avoiding bubbles not only to keep them out of the frame but also to prevent the rays from fleeing. Finally, it required patience to wait for the perfect alignment before taking the shot. I'am thrilled with the result, as the photo turned out exactly how I had envisioned it in my mind, even though I was using entry-level equipment with a non-professional case and lens. In my opinion, this image demonstrates that with the right technique, persistence, and patience, it;s possible to achieve remarkable results even with budget-friendly or beginner photography gear.

Location:

Maldives - Fish head dive site

Equipment Used:

• Sony RX100m5 - Seafrog housing - Seafrog dome

Camera Settings:

• ISO 200 
• F-10 
• 1/160sec