Showing off creativity in the Fourth Element photo competition

The participants and winners of the ‘Underbathwater Winners’ photo competition, organised by the Fourth Element brand, impressed with their ideas and displays of creativity.

At the outset, it should be noted that the competition itself, as well as the reasons for organising it, were very unique. The initiative was meant as an answer to the introduced lockdown and the lack of possibility to travel to all the beautiful places where magical underwater pictures are created.

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Last year’s edition was very popular and we could see many great photographs, but what the artists presented in this year’s edition simply knocked you off your feet! It is worth noting that the popularity of the competition was enormous and several hundred works were submitted for the 2021 edition.

Photographers from all over the world submitted work in the following categories: auto (isolation) portrait, Lego lockdown, macro, animals at home and positive/negative (black and white photography). Amateur and professional entries were also separated.

The entry by Barry McGill was deemed one of the most interesting photographs and the winner in the amateur category. The photograph was described as perfectly capturing the excitement and experience of diving in UK waters.

Last year’s winner Mikko Paasi, also won the professional category this year. His ice cave photo, taken in the bathroom of a hotel in Jakarta, is real magic. The whole image was created using modelling clay, hotel towels and after rotating the image 180°.

What started as a crazy idea quickly became something more, which ignited incredible creativity and produced exceptional photographs taken during a very difficult time,” said Jim Standing, competition originator and co-founder of Fourth Element

The competition photos were judged by true masters of underwater photography – Alex Mustard, Saeed Rashid and Standing.

The competition gave some underwater photographers the opportunity to unleash their creativity, work on their skills, perhaps learn about new equipment or just have fun, Mustard said

All the photos awarded in the competition can be viewed at official website of Fourth Element.
Main photo – Amateur category winner Barry McGill