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A harbor crab, fluorescing under a blue light during a night dive in Loch Long, Scotland, UK
 

A Scotland-based fluorescence lover, James Lynott has been shooting pictures underwater since 2012. James takes full advantage of his access to fantastic diving in his home waters, and spends the majority of his underwater time exploring the sea lochs of Scotland’s west coast. The variety of marine habitats and diversity of sea creatures found in these cold-water environments is staggering. James says even at the sites he dives consistently, he is often surprised by a new subject, a new behavior, or a new photographic opportunity.

As already mentioned, James is particularly interested in biofluorescence in marine life and often uses blue or UV lights and strobe filters to capture fluorescence in a wide, and sometimes surprising, range of critters. His portfolio here is evidence of his passion for this type of imagery. When he began diving, James had been aware of fluorescence in coral species and certain tropical species, but had never found much information on underwater fluorescence in temperate or cold-water environments. He has now been capturing images and video of fluorescence in Scottish seas since 2014 and has documented it in everything from anemones, crabs, and tunicates to sharks and rays.

Having used a range of compact cameras for years, James recently switched to an OM System Micro Four Thirds rig, and his OM-1 Mark III is now his weapon of choice for capturing the wonderful world of underwater biofluorescence both in Scotland and beyond.
 

A stunning and fluorescing fireworks anemone, Loch Long, Scotland, UK
 

A summertime moon jelly bloom in the green waters of Loch Leven, Scotland, UK
 

A lone sea loch anemone, snooted on a rock in Loch Fyne, Scotland, UK
 

A cluster of sea loch anemones and common urchin adorn a boulder, Loch Leven, Scotland, UK
 

An individual cup coral polyp fluorescing, Loch Leven, Scotland, UK
 

Living up to their moniker, a cluster of lightbulb tunicates fluoresces strongly, Loch Leven, Scotland, UK
 

A snakelocks anemone, fluorescing in a tide pool beneath a gray Scottish sky, Scotland, UK
 

It is becoming more common to find sharks and rays that fluoresce, like this thornback ray, Loch Leven, Scotland, UK
 

A common sight on nighttime muck dives in Loch Leven are bobtail squid, Scotland, UK
 

A squat lobster showing off incredibly strong fluorescence, Loch Long, Scotland, UK
 

A classic scene on a bolder reef in Loch Leven, Scotland, UK
 

A fireworks anemone standing tall on a mud flat, Loch Fyne, Scotland, UK
 

Even some flounders fluoresce! This Eckstrom’s topknot is one of the species that does, Loch Long, Scotland, UK
 

A slow shutter fluorescent image of a fireworks anemone, Loch Fyne, Scotland, UK
 

To see more of James’ unique, fantastic work, please give him a follow on Instagram and visit his website.