Articles

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

Hector Clarke grew up among the rolling, and decidedly landlocked hills of the West Midlands in England. Being so far from the coast, his early interactions with the ocean were sporadic but always treasured. His imaginings of the strange and fantastical animals beneath the surface were only encouraged by the distance; perhaps, had the ocean been more accessible, the mystery would have faded. Unsurprisingly, he pursued the study of marine biology, which led him to spend several years in Scotland.

Photography began as a tool for him to showcase the objects of his fascination and, ideally, to inspire the same sense of wonder in others. Over time, he acquired both the equipment and the confidence needed to share his images more widely, even entering a number of competitions.

He has always enjoyed the more adventurous and exploratory aspects of diving, perhaps to the detriment of his photography. During his years in Scotland, he explored nearly every loch accessible from the shore, sometimes relying on little more than a sonar chart. The sites he chooses to revisit are often tidal narrows at the mouths of sea lochs, rich with color and life that could impress even the most dedicated skeptics of cold-water diving. In these vibrant environments, he often forgoes capturing the entire scene, instead distilling it into images that highlight particularly interesting species or interactions.

The spectrum of water colors in the UK is nearly unparalleled, ranging from the reds of peaty rivers to the greens of sea lochs and the blues of the south coast. He particularly enjoys the challenge of incorporating natural light into his work, especially in environments that are often photographed without it.

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

A deep-water feather star splays its arms in the current, Loch Sunart, Scotland.

A large barrel jellyfish drifts through turquoise waters, Cardigan Bay, North Wales.

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

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

The ever-watchful eye of a common 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 young 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 common dragonet as it transitions into its flashy breeding colouration, Loch Leven.

Two fireworks anemones looking windswept in the current, Loch Fyne, Scotland.

A giant Tritonia hombergii nudibranch feasting on its preferred meal: dead man’s fingers coral, Loch Carron, Scotland.

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

To see more of Hector's fantastic cold-water work, please give him a follow on Instagram.