Honorable Mention Wide Angle

McKenzie Spalding

"Swimming Through a Starred Sea"

The Story:

This photo was taken on one of those days that you dream about; 30 metre visibility, no wind, low swell, and whale sharks everywhere. I was swimming alongside the shark on the right when the other shark appeared out of the blue on a direct collision course. Instead of bumping into each other they turned last minute and headed straight for me, where I was lucky enough to take this shot before a quick escape. I lost count of the number of whale sharks I swam with that day, their spot patterns illuminating the ocean like stars in the sky.

Location:

Australia, Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef

Equipment Used:

• Canon R6
• RF 14-35mm lens
• ikelite housing
• natural light (no strobes)

Camera Settings:

• 1/320 exposure
• f/7.1
• ISO 320