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Alex Mustard's Image
Alex had always wanted to capture this image of a juvenile ghost pipefish but usually only found darker adults on matching feather stars. His image conveys the confusion a predator would likely face when encountering this kaleidoscope of colour and pattern.
The juvenile’s loud colours signify that it landed on the coral reef in the past 24 hours. In a day or two, its colour pattern will change, enabling it to blend in with the feather star.
Behind the lens
Alex Mustard
UK
Alex is an underwater photographer with a PhD in Marine Ecology. His work has been awarded in Wildlife Photographer of the Year for more than 15 years. His book Underwater Photography Masterclass is the world's most popular on the subject, and he runs workshops internationally and online. In 2018 he was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to underwater photography.
Image details
- Nikon D850
- Trioplan 100mm f2.8 lens
- 12mm extension tube ND8 filter FIT +5 close-up lens • 1/250 sec at f2.8 • ISO 80 Subal housing two Retra strobes
- Dauin Marine Protected Area, Negros Oriental, the Philippines
Copyright in Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition photographs remains the property of the respective photographers. You may not copy, share, reproduce or republish the photographs except as expressly permitted by copyright law. For media image usage enquiries, please contact us.
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