A series of breathtaking images, including several shot in the Cayman Islands, earned local snapper Ellen Cuylaerts the title of world champion in a global underwater photography competition.
The image that really stunned the judges, though, was a close-up of an inquisitive manatee, its bristling whiskers practically brushing the lens, taken in Crystal River, Florida.
Ms. Cuylaerts, originally from Belgium, lives in North Side and only took up underwater photography three years ago.
Her set of images included a monochrome snap of a freediver exploring the wreck of the USS Kittiwake and a wide-angle image of tiny silversides swimming in shafts of light in an underwater cavern known as Devil’s Grotto in Cayman.
The portfolio was judged the best out of more than 8,000 submissions in 17 categories, including wrecks, sharks and underwater fashion, to the underwaterphotography.com competition.
Ms. Cuylaerts, the first woman to win the competition, said the award meant a lot and was reward for the hard work and study that had gone into the pictures. For her, the key to a great photograph is a sense of connection with the subject.
“I never chase an animal. If they want the encounter, there’s a mutual respect, and only then can you get a shot that touches the heart,” she said.
Website owner Tal Mor said, “Ellen was almost unanimously voted for the world champion of 2013. She presented winning images in almost every category of our competition.
“This award is very well deserved after a year in which Ellen consistently submitted breathtaking images to almost every category of the contest.”
Ms. Cuylaerts said the manatee picture, which won the freshwater category, was one of her favorites – taken on a trip to Florida with her husband, underwater videographer Michael Maes, and their two children.
“It was a very special trip to me,” she said. “We connected with the animals as a family, with these results.”
Though she has been taking pictures beneath the waves for only three years, Ms. Cuylaerts said she had spent a lot of time studying the craft.
“I entered the contest during 2013 in 16 categories to prove I master different skills,” she said. “I still have much to learn, though, and I’ll keep on studying.”
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