Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2016

Staff · Issue 93, Nov/Dec 2016 · pp. 43–51

Products mentioned: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Canon EOS-1D X, Nikon D300, Nikon D90, Nikon D800, Sigma 15mm f2.8 lens, Sigma 14mm f2.8 lens, Tokina 10-17mm f3.5-4.5 lens, Canon 15mm f2.8 lens, Canon 11-24mm f4 lens, Zillion housing, Pro One optical dome port, Seatool housing, Sea & Sea YS-250PRO strobes, Nauticam housing, Inon Z-240 strobe, Isotta housing, Nexus housing, Retra uTrigger, Manfrotto tripod

Winner 2016 Under Water Tony Wu, USA Snapper party Tony was surprised there weren’t many photos of the two-spot snapper mass spawning – until he hit the water. The currents were strong and unrelenting and his first attempt failed. But by positioning himself so the action came to him, Tony captured this dynamic arc of spawning fish in the oblique morning light. Thousands of two-spot snappers gather to spawn each month around Palau. Tony was intrigued to see the usually red fish rapidly change colour during mating to a multitude of hues and patterns. Predators will soon arrive to take advantage of the bounty, but strong currents will drag a few lucky eggs into the open ocean. Technical specification Canon EOS 5D Mark III; 15mm f2.8 lens; 1/200 sec at f9; ISO 640; Zillion housing; Pro One optical dome port. Tony Wu, USA Since 1995, Tony has combined his love of visual art with his interest …