Underwater Ocean Crustaceans (in colour)

Stunning capture of a mantis shrimp with its almost alien-like eyes and beautiful body colours. Mantis shrimp are one of the most beautiful and colourful creatures in the ocean, but due to their skittish behaviour also one of the most difficult to photograph whilst scuba diving.

A perfect capture of this beautiful peacock mantis shrimp, showing good detail of the eyes and also capturing part of the colourful body. Taking a shot like this of a mantis shrimp in their natural environment, the surging ocean, is not easy. They are very skittish and can break your lens with their powerful punch. Indeed worthy of the top prize.

The detail in the eyes of this mantis shrimp makes this photograph stunning and unique. If I was shooting this subject I would be tempted to include more of the colourful body of the mantis shrimp. It is nevertheless a brilliant capture worthy of one of the top prizes.

A very unique capture of a peacock mantis shrimp with beautiful red eggs, showing detail of the eyes and the front of the shrimp. The image might have benefited from a greater depth of focus setting to bring the back of the body also in focus.

Beautiful photo of two shrimps, featuring stunning detail of their bodies. The contrast against the black background makes it a very dramatic capture. Taking photos of small creatures on a night scuba dive is very difficult and the photographer deserves credit for this magnificent photo.

A stunning capture of this beautiful bright red hermit crab. The photo was taken very close to the crab and since it is on the sand there is very little distracting background, which adds to its dramatic effect. The photo is well focused and framed.