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Underwater photographer Linda Ianniello’s images have a certain “ring” to them—a ring flash to be specific.

The Florida-based underwater photographer has specialized in macro imagery for more than 25 years. And it’s not surprising, with the macro mecca of the Blue Heron Bridge basically in her backyard. But Linda separates her images from the rest with the use of a ring flash, a less-commonly-used type of strobe light that attaches to the front of the housing’s port.

“The ring flash provides a more compact system for shooting small subjects in tight places, with minimal impact on the surroundings,” explains Linda, who uses the Athena ring flash. “All of these images were taken with that setup, which shows a nice even [light] coverage obtained with the ring flash.”

Linda’s Photography of the Week portfolio is a true testament to the versatility of the ring flash—an all-too-often forgotten tool in the underwater photographer’s BCD pocket.
 

Redeye hovering goby (Bryaninops natans), Anilao, Philippines
 

Dragon shrimp, Anilao, Philippines
 

Mosaic boxer crab (Lybia tesselata) with brightly colored eggs, from a night dive at Tulamben, Indonesia
 

Seaweed blenny (Parablennius marmoreus), one of the most iconic fish found at the Blue Heron Bridge, southeast Florida
 

Peppermint shrimp (Lysmata pederseni), often found in this tube sponge. This image from the southeast Florida reefs shows how the light from the ring flash can reach into a situation like this
 

Bumblebee shrimp on a sea star, Blue Heron Bridge, southeast Florida
 

Cuttlefish, Puerto Galera, Philippines
 

Male thorny seahorse (Hippocampus histrix), Tulamben, Indonesia. Note the light circle in his eye, from the ring flash. Some people find this objectionable; it doesn’t bother Linda
 

Gorgeous Favorinus tsuruganus nudibranch on a sea star, Tulamben, Indonesia
 

Linda, hard at work editing her beautifully lit macro images

For more on Linda’s photography, make sure to visit her website.