4th Place Wide Angle
James Ferrara
“Concise Chaos“
James Ferrara won a 7 night dive trip for two to Papua New Guinea with Walindi Plantation Resort!
The Story:
In the waters off Magdalena Bay, a striped marlin carves through the blue as it locks onto a dense, swirling bait ball, the scene unfolding with a raw sense of speed and tension. By using a slow shutter, I aimed to capture the chaotic energy of the sardines as they flash, scatter, and collide in every direction, each movement driven by instinct and fear. The marlin lingers just beyond the edge of the bait ball, its long body taut and perfectly streamlined, conserving energy while studying the shifting mass of prey. Subtle changes in posture and fin position hint at the imminent strike, a moment where explosive power meets precise timing. The blurred motion of the sardines contrasts with the sharp presence of the marlin, emphasizing the predator’s calm control amid the chaos. This image reflects not just a hunt, but the delicate balance of predator and prey that defines life in the open ocean.
Location:
Magdalena Bay, Mexico
Equipment Used:
- Camera – Sony A7R V
- Housing – Nauticam
- Lens – Sony 28-70mm
Camera Settings:
- ISO 250
- F/22
- Shutter speed 1/10s
