Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009

Staff · Issue 51, Nov/Dec 2009 · pp. 28–30

Products mentioned: Nikon D2X, Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens, Aquatica housing, Nikon D300, Nikkor 12-24mm lens, Sea&Sea MDX-D300 housing, Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8L II USM lens, Seacam housing, Ikelite SS-125 strobes, Canon EOS 40D, Tokina 10-17mm lens, Subal C40 housing

Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009 The Underwater World On that summer morning in the Jura Mountains, the lake was both crystal clear and mirror smooth. Michel glided very slowly beneath the surface towards the four pike. ‘I was touched by the utter serenity of the scene,’ says Michel, ‘and the perfect reflections of the fish, intersected by the lines of pondweed.’ Trying not to make ripples or bubbles, he stopped breathing and pressed the shutter. ‘The yellow pike in the foreground didn’t show any sign of nervousness about how close I was, which reassures me that my way of approaching, like a big fish, nonchalant and feigning indifference, didn’t disturb him.’ The pike, too, was practising the same technique, stealthily moving closer to fish prey. Nikon D2X + Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens at 20mm; 1/80 sec at f10; ISO 400; Aquatica housing. © Michel Loup /…