Photographer of the Week – Yuta Shigeno

A phenomenal coral head, lined in fish life, stands alone within the sand, Kerama Islands, Japan

 

Our Photographer of the Week, Yuta Shigeno, says the central theme of his work is “color.” A fast look by means of the Japanese photographer’s characteristic right here and one can be arduous pressed to disagree! What is maybe much more outstanding is that each one of those footage is from Yuta’s house nation, showcasing the spectacular range of life and habitat discovered across the island nation.

Indeed, Japan stretches over a protracted north–south axis, creating a unprecedented vary of marine environments. In the south, tropical waters nurture vibrant coral reefs teeming with vibrant life. In distinction, the northern seas expertise drifting ice, the place winter water temperatures can fall beneath freezing. Between these extremes lie areas formed by the assembly of heat and chilly ocean currents, producing ever-changing ecosystems full of distinctive marine life. Yuta says that every location presents not solely completely different topics, however fully completely different moods and colours.

In latest years, he has turn out to be significantly drawn to the northern waters of Japan and the delicate fantastic thing about life beneath the drifting ice. Cold-water environments possess a quiet, nearly otherworldly aesthetic. Through these pictures, Yuta hopes to disclose unfamiliar views of the ocean and convey the hidden magnificence that exists even in probably the most excessive circumstances.

Yuta’s work has been exhibited broadly all through Japan, and in 2026 he’ll maintain an exhibition on the Nikon Gallery specializing in Japan’s northern seas. Looking ahead, he goals to additional share Japan’s underwater magnificence with international audiences and proceed exploring the connection between mild, coloration, and the pure world beneath the floor.

 

A pair of anemonefish watch the photographer from the security of their anemone house, Japan

 

A longnose hawkfish has chosen a splendidly aesthetic perch amongst some blue sea squirts, Japan

 

A pod of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins cruise previous the digital camera, Japan

 

A faculty of scalloped hammerheads passes overhead a reef lined in Anthias and butterflyfish, Japan

 

Miyako Island is known for its caves and caverns, Japan

 

Two Japanese houndsharks engaged in mating behaviors at evening, Japan

 

Cherry Anthias, a species endemic to Japan, collect to breed in a minimize within the reef, Japan

 

A miniscule Shiho’s seahorse clings to a kelp frond, Japan

 

A freshly hatched easy lumpsucker suction-cupped to a blade of kelp, Japan

 

Each winter, ice floes deliver vitamins to Japan’s waters, nourishing big kelp forests and seaweed meadows

 

Snow accumulates on the ice above a lion’s mane jelly, Japan

 

During the chilly winter months, the floor of the ocean freezes strong in northern Japan

 

“Sea algae,” a kind of plankton, coats the winter ice in an eerie yellow coloration, Japan

 

A lone sea angel drifts in the direction of the icy floor, Japan

 

To see extra of Yuta’s superb underwater work from round Japan, please give him a observe on Instagram.