WINNER CATEGORY UNDERWATER
Miloš Prelević | In The Hiding

Name: Miloš Prelević
Picture title: In The Hiding
Category: Underwater
Nationality: Serbia
Occupation: Programming but tendency to switch full time to photography

Technical information
Camera: Canon 5D Mark III
Lens: Tokina 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 AT-X 107 AF DX NH Fisheye
EXIF: ISO 250, f11,1/80 sec at17mm 
Accessories: Subal underwater housing, 2x Sea&Sea YS-D2J strobes

Miloš says:

I took this photo in a lake next to a small town called Bela Crkva in Serbia. The visibility can be up to 5 meters when the conditions are right, but searching for a pike in a lake overgrowing with weed can be tricky. It was a hot summer day, and what better way to spend it, than to go for a dive.
I submerged myself in the murky waters, moved slowly, and paid attention to any sign of a camouflaged predator. Suddenly, I saw the pike under me, resting in lake weed. I instantly backed away, in order not to startle it. To sink to the pike’s level, I emptied my lungs, while being very careful not to stir up any silt, and then gradually made my way to the fish. I put my camera as low as possible to capture the beautiful ambiance. The pike was hunting, making it easier to come close and take a few shots.