2nd Place Compact Behavior
Vadim Belakhov
“Frisky Dumplings“
The Story:
I love freediving around Rye Pier in Port Phillip Bay, especially at night. Following the narrow beam of a spotlight, you never know what might suddenly appear out of the darkness: a hunting ray, a drifting jellyfish, or, if you are lucky, a pair of frisky cephalopods caught in a private moment.
These two Southern Dumpling Squid (Southern Bobtail Squid, Euprymna tasmanica) did not seem to mind a passing freediver shining a light on their midnight rendezvous. Locked in their embrace on the sandy seabed, they carried on with their late-night ritual as if the camera were just part of the show.
Location:
Melbourne, Australia, Port Phillip Bay, Rye Pier
Equipment Used:
- Camera – Olympus TG-6
- Housing – OM System PT-059
- Strobe/light – Backscatter Hybrid Flash Underwater Strobe & Video Light HF-1
Camera Settings:
- ISO 400
- F/5.6
- Shutter speed 1/320s
