The term derives from "mug", an English slang term for "face", dating from the 18th century. A mug shot is a slang term for police or booking photograph typically taken after a person is arrested. However, the term is sometimes used for a similar head-and-shoulder portrait taken for any reason not necessarily involving arrest. For example the process of applying for a security clearance or a passport may require the applicant to submit a mug shot photo.

So in underwater photography a mug shot would be a straight-on, closely-cropped, head-and-shoulders shot of the subject. Both eyes should be visible.

That winning image might just be one with a "guilty" look on the subject's face!


"Thank you very much."


underwater photography

 

 

A good examples of an underwater mug shot.   A good examples of an underwater mug shot.

underwater photography
 
underwater photography
This could be considered a mug shot, but you can't see it's eyes.   Not really a mug shot because it was not taken from the front.