Summer Diving and a Wildlife Explosion
Summer is when we can expect a glut of wildlife around the Cornish coast. Everything is bursting with life and it’s a great time to take underwater photos. I’ve been out snorkelling and scuba diving, and seen sharks, jellyfish, and lots of anemones..
Summer Jellyfish
Jellyfish have always been right near the top of my list of creatures to photograph. They are both impressive and mesmerising, marked with incredible colours, ands their mysterious nature makes them even more compelling to photograph - especially because they only visit the Cornish coast for 2-3 months each year.
Summer Rock Pool Jungle
After the storms of winter, late spring and summer in the Cornish rock pools is a jungle of life, from multicoloured seaweed to vibrant sea slugs, cushion stars brooding eggs, baby fish, and much more.
Disco Doris Sea Slug
The ‘Disco Doris’ sea slug (Gargamella rosi) was first seen in the UK in 2008. Since then, it has been spreading gradually in the southwest, and this year has become very common at times in Cornwall, with its stunning orange colour and circular markings.
The Rainbow Sea Slug
The rainbow sea slug (Babakina anadoni) is an incredibly colourful nudibranch that is a new arrival to UK shores. It has spread quickly in parts of Cornwall, and is becoming a more regular sight in the rock pools and deeper water: a great subject for underwater photography and filming.
Cornwall’s Underwater Seasons
In Cornwall and elsewhere in the UK the underwater environment is highly seasonal. Over the course of the year, the abundance of marine life varies and the environment can go from tranquil to stormy, but there’s always a rich variety of marine life to see: from cuttlefish and sharks to sea slugs and anemones.
Brief Update - YouTube & Photography Workshop
A brief update on a few things I’ve been working on lately related to underwater photography and filming. In particular I have started a YouTube channel, and also am delighted to announce an underwater photography workshop in Cornwall.
Taking Split Shots - Tips and Technique
Underwater photography involves many types of images from wide angle to macro, but one of the most compelling can be split shots, or over-under photographs. Here, I outline some tips and techniques to take splitshots with a variety of camera equipment and when snorkelling, in rock pools or tidal pools, or at the end of a dive.