Stingrays silhouetted against the light from below, just below the water’s surface by Laura Georgi Tier- und Ladschaftsfotografie

A ray swims past just below the water’s surface, photographed from below and backlit by the sun. Visible are its pale underside, its long, whip-like tail pointing upwards, and the rays of light fanning out behind the animal. The rest of the image is a vast expanse of blue.

The underside of a ray is often mistaken for a face. What look like eyes are actually the nostrils; below them lies the mouth, and next to it are the five gill slits. The actual eyes are situated on the upper side, which is why a ray never sees its prey, but instead locates it solely by touch and detects it via electrical fields.

Backlit shots taken from below are only possible in very clear water and only if the animal remains directly above the diver. This makes the image both unusual and simple: a silhouette, light and blue. Such shots are usually only possible during the ascent at the end of a dive, when the animal happens to be directly above you.

On acrylic glass, the rays of light take on depth; on aluminium, the blue appears cooler and more modern. A gift for divers, for photography enthusiasts and for anyone who appreciates images composed of just a few elements.

Further search terms: rays from below, backlit underwater, silhouette of a marine animal, blue seascape wall art, underwater photography with rays of light