Underworld - Brian Skerry - Wildlife Photographer of the Year2008

2008: Underwater Worlds - Runner-up

Brian Skerry Enlarge image Underworld

Brian Skerry (United States of America)

Underworld

'A blue cod was taking a stroll on its fins through an otherworldly garden of vibrantly coloured sea pens and starfish. Through careful use of flash, I brought them to light. Fragile marine areas such as this one still exist in New Zealand waters thanks to federal protection.' Sea pens are usually found in deep water, at depths between 10 and 2,000 metres. But in the shallow waters of Long Sound Marine Reserve in New Zealand, tannin-stained surface water blocks out sunlight, tricking sea pens into settling at shallower depths. Sea pen colonies orientate themselves in the path of the currents, to ensure a steady flow of food particles.

Nikon D2x + 16mm lens; 1/30 sec at f9; ISO 200; Subal housing; two Hartenberger strobes on 1/4 power, additional strobe used to light more distant subjects.