The Dance of Algae Beneath the Surface by Retinas images

A single strand of seaweed floats freely through the water, creating a graceful movement from bottom to top. The strand twists round itself, opens up towards the light, and then disappears once more into the darker parts of the image. With no visible seabed or recognisable surroundings, the seaweed almost takes on the appearance of an abstract sculpture.
‘Dance Beneath the Surface’ shows how a simple natural element can be transformed into line, form and movement. The transparent parts of the leaf take on an almost silvery hue in the incident sunlight, whilst overlapping layers form deep black areas. This creates a strong monochrome contrast without losing the fine veins, frayed edges and small imperfections.
The rays of light emanating from the water’s surface give the composition direction and enhance the sense of depth. At the same time, there remains plenty of empty space around the seaweed, ensuring that the organic form takes centre stage. The movement is reminiscent of dust, smoke or a brushstroke slowly swirling through the space.
The result lies somewhere between underwater photography and abstract art. A refined, tranquil and almost graphic image that fits particularly well in a minimalist interior. Up close, the delicate natural textures are particularly striking, whilst from a distance it is the elegant S-shape that dominates.