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Drifters of the Deep

Close-up underwater image of a single translucent jellyfish floating in deep, dark blue water. The jellyfish features a rounded, dome-like bell and long, delicate oral arms with intricate textures, all softly illuminated in bluish tones. A distinct dark ring lines the edge of the bell, adding contrast against the surrounding water. The scene evokes a calm, ethereal atmosphere.

Drifters of the Deep

A Quiet Ballet off Sitges

A captivating series of images showcasing the graceful Rhizostoma pulmo jellyfish, also known as the barrel jellyfish, drifting through the crystal-clear waters of the Balearic Sea, just off the coast of Sitges, Spain. These images highlight the translucent beauty and gentle movement of these marine creatures in their natural habitat, offering a glimpse into the serene underwater world of the Mediterranean. Each frame captures the ethereal glow and delicate form of these jellyfish as they navigate the currents, creating a mesmerizing underwater ballet.

Year

2024

Type

Personal

Location

Sitges, Spain

Photographer

Patrick Pankalla

Competencies

Photography
Retouch

Software

Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Photoshop
Underwater photograph of a single jellyfish floating beneath the ocean surface, surrounded by deep blue water and illuminated by natural light filtering from above. The translucent jellyfish displays soft, white bell-shaped features with subtle details, creating a serene and mysterious marine atmosphere.Close-up underwater photo of a translucent white jellyfish swimming through deep blue ocean water. The jellyfish has a bell-shaped body with delicate, frilled oral arms and short tentacles, bordered by a dark, ring-like edge. A second jellyfish is partially visible on the left side of the frame, adding depth to the image. The soft lighting enhances the ethereal, mysterious atmosphere of the deep sea.Moody underwater photograph of a single jellyfish illuminated in the dark ocean, floating mid-water with a serene, ghostly presence. The jellyfish’s translucent bell and trailing tentacles are accentuated by soft, bluish lighting, with a distinct dark rim around its bell. The surrounding water is deep and shadowy, evoking a mysterious and tranquil marine environment.Abstract underwater photograph featuring a dark, shadowy ocean depth with soft gradients of blue and black, illuminated by diffused light from the surface above. The rippling water at the top creates a sense of motion and depth, enhancing the mysterious and immersive marine atmosphere.Underwater photograph capturing the reflective surface of deep blue water with a floating white object, possibly a piece of plastic or fabric, partially submerged on the left side. Surrounding the object are ripples and circular patterns, potentially caused by small jellyfish or other marine life faintly visible in the darker regions. The lighting highlights textural contrasts between the object and the surrounding water.Underwater photograph showcasing three translucent jellyfish gently drifting through dark, deep blue water. The jellyfish, softly lit from above, feature rounded bells with ruffled oral arms and are outlined with a dark rim. Light rays penetrate the water from the surface, illuminating the scene with a mystical ambiance. Bubbles and small particles are visible near the top, adding texture and depth.Underwater image of a single translucent jellyfish floating serenely beneath the ocean surface, which is visible with light ripples and scattered air bubbles. The jellyfish, softly illuminated in the dark blue water, features a rounded bell and trailing oral arms with a distinct dark rim around its edge. The deep, moody lighting and soft gradients create a tranquil and mysterious marine atmosphere.Close-up underwater image of a single translucent jellyfish floating in deep, dark blue water. The jellyfish features a rounded, dome-like bell and long, delicate oral arms with intricate textures, all softly illuminated in bluish tones. A distinct dark ring lines the edge of the bell, adding contrast against the surrounding water. The scene evokes a calm, ethereal atmosphere.Moody close-up underwater image of a single jellyfish viewed from the front, suspended in dark blue water. The jellyfish’s translucent bell glows faintly, with faint ruffled oral arms extending downward and a shadowy dark rim encircling its bell. Light from the water’s surface creates a soft, glowing reflection above, adding an ethereal and mysterious ambiance.High-resolution close-up underwater photo of a single translucent jellyfish floating in dark blue water. The jellyfish has a smooth, dome-shaped bell with subtle highlights, and intricately textured, frilled oral arms extending below. The dark rim at the base of the bell provides contrast against the softly lit, mysterious background, emphasizing the jellyfish’s delicate structure.Underwater image capturing a group of translucent jellyfish drifting in a dark, murky blue ocean. The jellyfish appear softly blurred and scattered throughout the frame, creating a dreamy, abstract effect. Tiny air bubbles or particles are suspended in the water, enhancing the sense of depth and movement. The lighting is diffused and moody, giving the scene an ethereal and tranquil ambiance.Underwater photograph featuring two translucent jellyfish drifting through dark blue ocean water. The jellyfish in the foreground is clearly visible with a rounded bell and frilled oral arms, softly illuminated to highlight its delicate structure. A second jellyfish appears in the distance near the top center, adding depth and scale to the scene. The composition evokes calm and mystery, with a minimalistic, moody aesthetic.Close-up underwater photograph of a single translucent jellyfish floating in dark blue ocean water. The jellyfish is positioned in the lower right quadrant, showcasing its smooth, bell-shaped top and frilled, ribbon-like oral arms trailing behind. The lighting softly illuminates the jellyfish’s structure, creating an ethereal, minimalistic marine ambiance.Abstract underwater image featuring swirling shades of dark blue and cyan, with soft, cloud-like formations and diffused lighting. The blurred textures and tonal gradients evoke a sense of depth and movement, resembling underwater currents or the surface distortion seen from below. The absence of distinct objects enhances the dreamy, immersive quality.High-resolution underwater image of a single translucent jellyfish drifting in dark blue water. The jellyfish features a dome-shaped bell with a smooth surface and a black-rimmed edge. Beneath the bell, its delicate, frilly oral arms extend downward in clusters, softly illuminated to highlight their intricate textures. Another jellyfish is partially visible in the top right corner, suggesting depth and context.Underwater image showing a group of jellyfish swimming through dark blue water, captured in a soft-focus, dreamlike style. Three jellyfish are visible, with the largest in the foreground displaying a dome-shaped bell and trailing, frilled oral arms. A second jellyfish appears in the center, slightly blurred, and a third is faintly visible in the upper right corner. The image conveys motion and depth with an ethereal, tranquil ambiance.Underwater image featuring a single translucent jellyfish floating in the foreground, with its smooth, dome-shaped bell and delicate, frilled oral arms trailing behind. The jellyfish is softly illuminated, showcasing its intricate structure against the deep, dark blue background. Multiple smaller jellyfish are scattered in the distance, creating a sense of depth and motion.Underwater image capturing a serene scene of numerous translucent jellyfish drifting near the ocean surface in deep blue water. One jellyfish in the foreground is prominently lit, displaying a rounded bell with a black-rimmed edge and trailing frilled oral arms. The rest of the jellyfish are scattered throughout the background at varying depths, creating a sense of depth and movement under gently rippling water.Close-up underwater image of a single jellyfish floating against a dark blue ocean backdrop. The jellyfish has a smooth, dome-shaped bell with a slightly iridescent surface and a distinct black-rimmed edge. Its delicate, frilled oral arms trail downward in textured, ribbon-like formations, softly illuminated to emphasize their structure. The negative space enhances the sense of isolation and calm.Underwater image of a group of jellyfish gracefully floating near the ocean surface, illuminated by soft, diffused light. The foreground jellyfish is prominently centered, displaying a translucent, rounded bell and short trailing oral arms. Additional jellyfish can be seen drifting in the background at various depths, creating a serene and immersive marine scene. Ripples and reflections on the water surface enhance the tranquil atmosphere.Extreme close-up underwater image of a jellyfish, showcasing the smooth, translucent dome of its bell and the intricately textured oral arms trailing behind. The black-rimmed edge of the bell forms a striking contrast against the soft blue ocean background. The focus is primarily on the jellyfish’s front and side, highlighting its delicate anatomy in vivid detail.Close-up abstract image of a jellyfish near the ocean surface, surrounded by dynamic ripples and reflections in deep blue water. The jellyfish’s translucent bell is partially submerged and distorted by the shifting water, creating a fluid, almost painterly effect. Light highlights the jellyfish’s contours and the surrounding textures, emphasizing movement and contrast.High-resolution underwater image of a single jellyfish swimming near a vertical reflective surface, possibly a glass tank wall. The jellyfish has a smooth, dome-shaped bell with a glossy, pearlescent texture and a black-rimmed edge. Its frilled oral arms trail beneath, intricately textured and illuminated by soft lighting. The reflective wall adds depth and symmetry to the composition.Close-up underwater image featuring two translucent jellyfish gracefully swimming through dark blue water. The jellyfish are partially visible in the top right, showcasing their smooth, dome-shaped bells with black-edged rims and intricate, frilled oral arms trailing below. The dark background, accented by a few out-of-focus light spots, enhances the ethereal quality and isolates the subjects in a tranquil, deep-sea ambiance.Extreme close-up underwater image of a jellyfish, focusing on the intricate details of its frilled oral arms and translucent, dome-shaped bell. The jellyfish features a textured, semi-transparent structure with a pronounced black-rimmed edge along its bell. The deep blue background isolates the subject, enhancing the ethereal and delicate appearance of the marine creature.Underwater photograph of a single jellyfish drifting gracefully beneath the ocean surface, surrounded by deep, dark blue water. The jellyfish features a translucent, dome-shaped bell with a soft, glowing sheen and intricately textured, frilled oral arms extending downward. The smooth gradient of light from the water’s surface adds a serene and ethereal atmosphere.Close-up underwater image of a jellyfish in a dark blue ocean environment. The jellyfish features a smooth, dome-shaped bell with a subtle glow and a bold black rim along its edge. Its intricately textured, frilled oral arms extend downward in clusters, illuminated to reveal delicate patterns and translucency. The contrast between the jellyfish and the background enhances its ethereal presence.

Work in Progress

I’m currently working on writing up the full story behind this project. More details will be added soon!

2025 © Patrick Pankalla
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