Entry Title: " Leopard Seal"
Name: Bartosz Strozynski, Poland
Category: Professional, Underwater


Entry Description: Probably the most spectacular Antarctic subject for wildlife photographer is the Leopard Seal. Antarctica and surrounding waters is the only place in the world where this mammal can be met. It is called a leopard seal due its characteristic spots on skin, but after spending some time with the animal, I found it to be more similar to a dog than to a leopard. There are numerous leopard seals around Antarctica seaside areas, and you may often see them sleeping on small icebergs. They seem to be very lazy and uninterested in jumping into the water to help us in our photographic endeavours, but as soon as they get in, they transform into extremely fast moving and scary monster. However it sounds, with a bit of luck though, you can meet the leopard seal while diving and play with it, making spectacular pictures. To give you some feeling how close I was, making these pictures, they were made with 14mm lens, in distance of 0-30 cm from teeth of 3 meters long and 500 kgs heavy animal!

(www.fimufo.com) Born and living in Poland, underwater & nature photographer, composer, lyricist, author of music videos and multimedia projects, graphic artist, sculptor. Awarded in many international photographic competitions, including the prestigious International Photography Awards, European Wildlife Photographer of the Year, International Nature Photo Competition Asferico and Great Photographic Competition of National Geographic, presents his photographs in many international publications. Participated in numerous photographic expeditions, including the prestigious Elysium Epic Shackleton's Antarctic Visual Epic Project. Fascinated by the Arctic and Antarctica, specializing in underwater photography, winter photography, photography of aquatic mammals and underwater photography in rivers. Author of articles on diving and underwater photography published in many countries. The creator of music and text appearing on the album "Private Only", the artist's debut album released in 2011. Author and producer of music videos and multimedia projects published in several media; designer of music album artwork and promotional materials.