“Dazzling Donut Doto” by Bryan Blauvelt (USA).
Location: Tulamben, Indonesia
“Bali, Indonesia, is a stunning tropical paradise known for its lush rice terraces, vibrant culture, pristine beaches, and sacred temples. A perfect blend of natural beauty and spiritual charm on this special island encourages creativity, and the muck and rubble slopes of Tulamben produce a steady stream of mind-blowing critter encounters to the delight of any underwater photographer. I wanted to leave this inspirational place with a unique image of Doto greenamyeri, one of the most striking subjects in Tulamben. I created a dramatic glowing effect on the nudibranch with my strobe and snoot, and completed the frame by backlighting the host hydroid with subtle blue light to balance the composition. Thank you to my incredible guide Rudolfi Sikome at Alam Batu for holding a torch in position for the backlighting effect on this image, and for a productive and fun week of photography!”
Underwater Photographer of the Year