Description
LOCATION: Papua New Guinea
STORY BEHIND THE SHOT: Mangrove upside-down jellyfish (aka Cassiopeia sp. jellies) are found worldwide in shallow, calm lagoon environments. A wonderful and rare opportunity surfaced one day in one of my regular haunts when this one left the bottom and pulsed towards the surface, just under some overhanging trees. The light rays were streaming through the branches and I used the harsh contrast of the shadows to highlight the jelly’s delicate crown. To me, it’s not a photo of a jellyfish; it’s a photograph of the rays of light, and it just happens to have a beautiful jelly in it.
This photo was taken in about 15′ of water at one of my favorite locations on the planet – the sheltered lagoon inside the volcanic caldera of Witu Crater. I spent countless nights on my boat inside the crater, taking shelter from the exposed open sea on the outside of the island. With little water movement, the underwater visibility wasn’t always great, but it was a haven for marine life who preferred this calm environment to the open seas. The island is also home to several New Guinean tribes, and hosts a variety of materials and machinery abandoned after WWII.
For a similar feel and color tones, also check out the coral with similar light rays behind in Day-Glo and the close-up kelp photo called California Dreamin’.
TO PURCHASE JELLY IN THE SUN AS A FINE ART PRINT ON ALUMINUM: Jelly in the Sun best kept in it’s original ratio of a 3:2 vertical, but it is possible to crop it into other shapes such as a more panoramic vertical or nearly a square. Purchase it online here in standard sizes, or if you’d like to explore custom sizing to 120″ tall.