Underwater

Category Winner

Luc Rooman (1)
Oosterschelde (Zeeland)
60mm; 1/125s at f/29; ISO 100

Every autumn, I make night dives to photograph small cuttlefish and young squid. They hunt in open water at night. It is striking to see how these small animals switch to attack mode, with colours that constantly change.

Runner-up

Marleen Baas (2)
Grevelingenmeer (Zeeland / Zuid-Holland)
105mm; 1/125s at f/11; ISO 200

The eyes of the variegated scallop are clearly visible in this image. Each shell contains around 340 small eyes. When a shadow passes, the shell quickly closes.

Honourable Mentions

Miep Knöptels (3)
Texel (Noord-Holland)
105mm; 1/400s at f/8; ISO 800

During early autumn, I photographed hermit crabs in tidal pools. They try to push each other out of their shells to take over a better one. It is a constant fight for a new home.

Luc Rooman (4)
Domein Muisbroek (België)
17mm; 1/125s at f/18; ISO 200

Each year I dive in fresh water in autumn, when frogs prepare for winter. After years without seeing one here, I was lucky. A frog swam up between the plants, with sunlight completing the image.

Hans van Gemeren (5)
Grevelingenmeer (Zeeland / Zuid-Holland)
60mm; 1/60s at f/10; ISO 200

From the dark water, a Japanese cross jellyfish appears. Transparent, with an orange cross and small green details, it moves slowly through the water. A brief and quiet moment.

Luc Rooman (6)
Grevelingenmeer (Zeeland / Zuid-Holland)
15mm; 1/125s at f/8; ISO 100

It is a strong year for these jellyfish. I noticed a crab hitching a ride, one of the ways crabs move through the water. A small detail that makes the moment special.

Marleen Baas (7)
Grevelingenmeer (Zeeland / Zuid-Holland)
14mm; 1/125s at f/10; ISO 500

Just below the surface of a grey looking lake, a colourful world appears. At the end of summer, algae and sponges are fully grown. Red, orange, yellow and green tones stand out in the soft green water.