Davide Lopresti just won Underwater Photographer of the Year 2016 with what might, at first glance, seem like a strange Photoshop creation… but it’s not.

His winning photo of a seahorse is actually an incredibly technical underwater shot captured in a single frame—the perfect mix of meaning and technical prowess that you always hope will win competitions like this.

We caught up with Davide to see if he could tell us how this image was captured, and he was happy to oblige!

Hippocampus by Davide Lopresti on 500px.com

“Technically the photo is not of easy realization,” he began. “[It] is a single shot.”

He continues:

It was captured with a long shutter speed and, by moving the camera, gives the impression of movement in the background. Then, using an underwater flash with a “snoot” attached (a snoot is an accessory that allows you to concentrate your flash’s light onto a very small area), I was able to freezing only the seahorse.

Obviously it is a picture designed with the colors in mind, blue in contrast with the yellow and the effect of movement in opposition to the detail of the subject, with a very simple composition to exalt this dualistic aspect within the picture.

The photo was made in the Gulf of Trieste in Italy, and is part of a wider project to raise awareness for the preservation of our seas. It highlights for people the beauty that is under the water, and helps us understand that it is an important asset that cannot be missed. This is the purpose of my photography.

As for what it feels like to win Underwater Photographer of the Year and have so much attention brought to his work, Davide was understandably exalted.

“It’s a really great experience, and a lot of publicity for me and, more importantly, for my photo.” he told us. “It’s exposed a lot of people to my underwater vision.” Here’s a look at a few of Davide’s other underwater photos from his 500px profile:

Animal in cage by Davide Lopresti on 500px.com

Swim by Davide Lopresti on 500px.com

Harlequin shrimp by Davide Lopresti on 500px.com

Humpack whale by Davide Lopresti on 500px.com

Jelly by Davide Lopresti on 500px.com

Camouflage by Davide Lopresti on 500px.com

Ruins by Davide Lopresti on 500px.com

Predator by Davide Lopresti on 500px.com

To see more of Davide’s work or share a congratulatory comment, check him out on 500px or visit his website.