Photographer of the Week – Hector Clarke

A small-spotted catshark rests among the many brittle stars, Loch Carron, Scotland.

Hector Clarke grew up among the many rolling, and decidedly landlocked hills of the West Midlands in England. Being so removed from the coast, his early interactions with the ocean have been sporadic however at all times treasured. His imaginings of the unusual and fantastical animals beneath the floor have been solely inspired by the space; maybe, had the ocean been extra accessible, the thriller would have light. Unsurprisingly, he pursued the research of marine biology, which led him to spend a number of years in Scotland.

Photography started as a device for him to showcase the objects of his fascination and, ideally, to encourage the identical sense of marvel in others. Over time, he acquired each the tools and the boldness wanted to share his pictures extra broadly, even coming into numerous competitions.

He has at all times loved the extra adventurous and exploratory elements of diving, maybe to the detriment of his pictures. During his years in Scotland, he explored almost each loch accessible from the shore, generally counting on little greater than a sonar chart. The websites he chooses to revisit are sometimes tidal narrows on the mouths of sea lochs, wealthy with coloration and life that might impress even probably the most devoted skeptics of cold-water diving. In these vibrant environments, he typically forgoes capturing the whole scene, as an alternative distilling it into pictures that spotlight significantly fascinating species or interactions.

The spectrum of water colours within the UK is almost unparalleled, starting from the reds of peaty rivers to the greens of sea lochs and the blues of the south coast. He significantly enjoys the problem of incorporating pure gentle into his work, particularly in environments which can be typically photographed with out it.

Phosphorescent and tall sea pens rise out of the mud, Loch Duich, Scotland.

A deep-water feather star splays its arms within the present, Loch Sunart, Scotland.

A big barrel jellyfish drifts by way of turquoise waters, Cardigan Bay, North Wales.

A curious ling watches the photographer intently, Rosehearty, Scotland.

A diver investigates a big dahlia anemone, Loch Carron, Scotland.

The ever-watchful eye of a standard octopus, Cornwall, England.

The golden flank of a john dory, Plymouth Sound, England.

The iridescent scales of an often-overlooked Fries’s goby, Loch Fyne, Scotland.

An Astacilla longicornis isopod with its younger hanging on to a tall sea pen, Loch Linnhe, Scotland.

A yellow brittle star stands out from the writhing mass, Loch Leven, Scotland.

A male widespread dragonet because it transitions into its flashy breeding colouration, Loch Leven.

Two fireworks anemones wanting windswept within the present, Loch Fyne, Scotland.

A large Tritonia hombergii nudibranch feasting on its most popular meal: lifeless man’s fingers coral, Loch Carron, Scotland.

A standard toad rests on the plenty of frogspawn in a small heathland pool, Shropshire, England.

To see extra of Hector’s incredible cold-water work, please give him a comply with on Instagram.