My broken heart
Second prize
This was taken during the Sardine Run, at Port St Johns. The belief had always been that without the presence of fast-moving common dolphins, other predators are incapable of keeping a bait ball together. However, here the blacktip sharks formed a virtual cage around the fish, trapping any possible escape routes. It was a moving experience and I could not help but feel sorry for the school of sardines, which is where my image title comes from.
By Geo Cloete, Wellington Nikon D300, Tokina 10-17mm,
ISO 200, f/13, 1/200sec
Geo Wins a Tamron 100-400mm zoom lens and a Tamron 70-210mm lens from Singer Photographic. Value R22 000
Judges’ Comments Justin This riot of underwater energy is a feast for the eye. There’s superb balance in all its elements. Apart from expert technical skill, there was great luck in the sardines forming a heart shape.
Teagan What a celebration of nature’s raw energy. The swirling bait ball, the embedded sharks, the birds and the perfectly placed diver all come together to showcase a pure, unscripted moment. This is a supremely difficult image to take, factoring in the underwater conditions and the frenzy of activity going on.
Louise This comes a very close second. It’s exciting to see Geo’s skill in capturing the synergy of elements – the sharpness of fins, snouts and beaks, all piercing the tight swirl of sardines in a perfectly timed burst of energy. It’s easy to feel part of the action, while the diver reminds us we’re looking through a lens.
Gareth A spectacular capture with beautiful light – there’s so much happening yet my eye still flows easily through it. The colour and the depth evoke a sense of danger and the action, wherever you look, makes it brilliantly timed.