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CLARE-BASED PHOTOGRAPHER George Karbus has won the prestigious British Wildlife Photography Awards with this spectacular underwater photo.
Entitled ‘In the Living Room’, the underwater photo shows a bottlenose dolphin surfing a wave at Ballintoy in County Antrim.
Karbus, a professional free diver originally from Czech Republic, described the experience as “one of the most incredible sights you can see in the ocean”.
“The photograph was taken in the most intimidating and surf-heavy spot on the Coast of Northern Ireland,” Karbas said.
“I encountered this playful dolphin that suddenly started to surf the deep tube inside the waves.
“Each time the dolphin got into the wave, I dived underneath, held my breath and waited for the moment when he would swish through a silver barrel close enough to my lens.
“Water visibility is always very limited in Ireland, and I was very lucky to get a shot like this.”
Image: George Karbus
The winning image is included in a book that accompanies the awards, and is also being exhibited as part of a free exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London.
Karbus is already a favourite of TheJournal.ie readers; his up-close-and-personal photo of Clare’s ‘Dusty’ the Dolphin got a huge thumbs up from commenters when it was posted earlier this year.
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Good man Hugh. Can I suggest that you circulate this to some of your younger colleagues who have posted articles over the past few days which have suggested that the fans were responsible for this tragedy.
Hi Eamonn, can you give me any specific examples here?
@ Hugh. Sure, check out an article posted 22 hours ago in the Score section. The original wording was amended after I pointed out the facts of the Taylor Report but in the discussion below the article the writer repeats the assertion that " fan irresponsibility" was the cause of the tragedy. This is totally untrue. The Taylor Report clearly states poor crowd management and Stadium design as the key factors. Thanks Hugh.
@Eamonn: I understand this is a highly emotive subject, and I accept your point re:the ambiguity of the original wording, but your claim that I blamed the actions of fans for the tragedy is grossly inaccurate. I think if you re-read my comment, you’ll see that’s the case.
The significance of the Commons debate lay in its attempt to dispel the myth of fan irresponsibility once and for all, bringing the official, government narrative in line with the experience of supporters and victims. The PM is contemplating a public apology because that never really happened, even in the wake of the Taylor Report.
@ Conor. My concern is that comments like “The question of official blame, however, has historically been reduced to one of fan irresponsibility” is just simply untrue and unfortunately, only helps perpetuate the myth. I’m not sure how else I’m supposed to read this. This is totally at odds with the only official inquiry into the events leading up to the tragedy. That’s my point, nothing personal. Over and out. Thanks Conor.
Another of Thatcher’s legacies.
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