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Romanticism & Romantic Elements in UW Images: Contributors’ Picks

We asked our contributors to share their favorite underwater images that showcase Romanticism and romantic elements or symbolism, and they came back with a beautiful collection of macro and wide-angle shots featuring a variety of marine life and underwater scenery, including the Dark Romanticism of mysterious caves and moody wrecks.

Photo by Kate Jonker: The delicate pastels of a gasflame nudibranch, Bonisa nakaza, add a sense of romance. The photo was taken in Gordon’s Bay, South Africa, using a shallow depth of field. Gear: Canon EOS R5, Canon 100mm macro lens, two Marelux Apollo S strobes. Exposure: ISO 320, f/5.6, 1/160s.

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(To all the images in the feature, scroll down to the end and download the PDF.)

Here, X-Ray Mag contributors share their chosen images from the tropical waters of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Indonesia, the Egyptian Red Sea, Saba, the Bahamas and Mexico to the subtropical and temperate waters of Florida, South Africa and British Columbia, Canada.

Capturing Romance Beneath the Waves 

Text by Kate Jonker, photos by Kate and Deon Jonker

The underwater world is full of moments that evoke a sense of connection, beauty and awe—perfect for showcasing romance through your lens. From delicate macro details to sweeping wide-angle vistas, the ocean provides endless opportunities to create evocative, emotion-filled images.

Up close, look for heart-shaped coral formations, spiralling tendrils of soft coral or pairs of bannerfish gliding side by side. These natural compositions bring a sense of intimacy and storytelling to your photos. Pink and pastel hues, often found in nudibranchs, anemones and soft corals, add a romantic palette to your macro shots.

For wide-angle photographers, focus on dynamic lighting to evoke drama and emotion. Sunbeams piercing through cathedral-like caverns or wrecks create an ethereal effect, while the fiery tones of a vibrant reef or the graceful dance of manta rays can inspire awe. Even the simple swirl of bubbles rising to the surface can bring life and movement to your images.

Romantic underwater photography is not just about the subject—it is about capturing the feeling. By paying attention to composition, light and colour, you can create images that transport viewers into the magic of the underwater world, stirring their emotions and telling stories they will not forget. Visit: katejonker.com

 

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Carnatic wreck photo by Anita George-Ares
Photo by Anita George-Ares: Carnatic wreck, Egyptian Red Sea. Gear: Canon EOS Rebel SL1 camera, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens (at 18mm), Ikelite housing, two Ikelite DS161 strobes. Exposure: ISO 800, f/11, 1/160s.

Dark Romanticism in Underwater Images

Text and photos by Anita George-Ares, PhD

My interpretation of Dark Romanticism in underwater photography involves images that are dark, gloomy, moody or mysterious. Dark Romantic images can elicit emotions, such as feelings of loss, loneliness or sadness.

In 1869, the Carnatic, a British sailing steamer and passenger-cargo ship, sank in the Red Sea after hitting a reef. I swam along the wreck’s exterior and looked into a porthole. The porthole provided a view of the wreck’s interior (Photo 1). To me, this image conveys a sense of loss, loneliness and mystery, and therefore embodies elements of Dark Romanticism.

Several species of cardinalfish and damselfish swim by a soft coral tree in Photo 2. The image was taken during the day, but due to the exposure settings, the image looks like it was shot during a night dive. The soft coral tree appears ghostly. The fish add some color to this otherwise dark and somber image, which can be considered an example of Dark Romanticism.

In Photo 3, the purple anthias appear suspended in space. The high contrast in this image creates a stark and moody feel, evoking an air of Dark Romanticism. Nix Silver Efex Pro2 and Adobe Photoshop CC software were used to convert the image to black and white. Visit: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100016947967639

 

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Fiji tunnel photo by John Ares
Photo by John A. Ares: Tunnel, Taveuni Island, Fiji. Gear: Canon EOS Rebel SL1 camera, Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM lens, Ikelite housing, twin Ikelite 161 strobes. Exposure: ISO 400, f/11, 1/125s.

Romantic Elements

Text and photos by John A. Ares

Romantic elements are not a common aspect of what I shoot for underwater. However, the pink leaf scorpionfish in Photo 1 was appropriately colored for a Valentine’s Day theme. It did not, however, have a Barbie pink Corvette in tow.

Underwater caves and wrecks, with their dark allure and air of mystery, lend themselves well to Dark Romanticism. The tunnel in Photo 2, photographed in Fiji, was a perfect dark romantic subject. The diver entering the darkness of the cave adds drama to the composition.

In Photo 3, the Liberty wreck in Bali is spectacular for its dark romance. Its large, open spaces make for a very comfortable diving experience. The wreck is accessed by swimming offshore and starts in 25ft (~8m) of water. It is over 300ft (~91m) long. Visit: JohnAres.com

 

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Pair of morays photo by Sheryl Checkman
Photo by Sheryl Checkman: Pair of moray eels, San Miguel South. Exposure: ISO 100, f/9, 1/50s, FL 8.99mm. Gear: Olympus TG-5 camera and Sea&Sea YS D-1 and YS D-2 strobes.

Pairing

Text and photos by Sheryl Checkman

Love is in the air, or should I say in the sea, since the challenge for this issue’s Contributors’ Picks was to find “romantic” imagery in the underwater world. All of my photos for this feature were taken on my recent trip to Dumaguete in the Philippines this past September. In keeping with the theme, I have selected photos showing some of the underwater couples I encountered. I may be using a bit of artistic license in my assumption of actual romantic relationships, but who’s to say? 

A sweet false clownfish in Photo 1 snuggles symbiotically inside the tentacles of a tomato-red anemone, perhaps waiting for its mate to join it or just enjoying the company of its anemone protector.

Night dives can certainly provide strange bedfellows, as in Photo 2, taken at Atlantis House Reef. It shows a green sea turtle asleep with its remora partner resting on its head.

At San Miguel South, a pair of green moray eels look out together from their home in the coral. Is it me, or are they both smiling?

And finally, two pairs of cardinalfish were out on a double date at the Bubble Lounge (a bubble-tip anemone), also at San Miguel South. I think the top two were trying to fix the other two up on a blind date. Not sure if the chemistry was there, but I guess I will need to return to see how it all worked out! Visit: Instagram.com/SherylCheckman

 

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Mandarinfish photo by Lureen Ferretti
Photo by Lureen Ferretti: Mandarinfish pair, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Gear: Canon 70D camera in a Nauticam housing with dual Inon Z-330 strobes. Exposure: ISO 100, f/11, 1/160s. 

Love Beneath the Waves: A Dive Into Underwater Romance

Text and photos by Lureen Ferretti

Love, compassion, and, dare I say it, romance not only exist on land but also thrive beneath the surface. Feast your eyes on some of nature’s most enchanting underwater romances.

Every night at dusk in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, the mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus) emerge from their hiding places among the rubble to engage in their nightly spawning ritual. The male checks his harem, searching diligently to see if the females are ready to spawn. When the time is right, he rises into the water column with each female, one by one (Photo 1). As she releases her eggs, he quickly fertilizes them before they both descend back to the safety of the rubble. It is a mesmerizing scene.

In the vibrant waters of Wakatobi, Indonesia, two bignose unicornfish (Naso vlamingii) share a tender moment of affection in Photo 2. This image reveals the softer side of marine life.

At Tiger Beach in the Bahamas, two tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) share a tender moment in Photo 3. This captivating image showcases the unexpected gentleness of these formidable predators.

Romance can be found everywhere if you look closely enough. While composing a photo of a stunning reef scene in Fiji, I did not notice the shape created by the clouds (Photo 4). It was not until I processed the photo that I saw the heart shape with an arrow through it. A magical moment. Visit: instagram.com/lureenferrettiphotography

 

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Sea lions photo by Larry Cohen
Photo by Larry Cohen: California sea lions, Los Islotes, Mexico. Gear: Olympus OM-D E-M1 camera, Olympus 9-18mm lens, Aquatica housing, Sea&Sea YS-D1 strobes. Exposure: ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/60s.

Underwater Couples

Text and photos by Larry Cohen 

I enjoy photographing marine creatures in pairs, as many seem to display emotional or romantic attraction to one another. Roca Partida, the smallest of the four Revillagigedo Islands off the west coast of Mexico, starts 230ft (~70m) below the surface and rises above the water like a strangely shaped building. The ledge surrounding Roca Partida is home to many whitetip reef sharks, and I spotted two cuddling together, seemingly enjoying each other’s company.

Another location on the west coast of Mexico is a small island called Los Isotes, two hours by boat from La Paz. This island hosts a large colony of California sea lions. Diving with these playful animals is like playing with puppy dogs; they are extremely friendly toward each other and divers alike. Seeing two of them show affection while swimming mid-water was sweet.

In the cold waters off the coast of British Columbia, wolf eels can often be spotted in pairs. These eel-like fish mate for life and return to the same den year after year. After the female lays her eggs, the male and female protect them from predators. They wrap their bodies around the egg mass to keep it safe, with only one at a time leaving the den to search for food.

In Papua New Guinea, under the pier at Tufi House Reef, I photographed a pair of hairy ghost pipefish. Unlike other seahorses and pipefish, the female carries the eggs in a pouch. Visit: liquidimagesuw.com

 

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Frogfish photo by Brandi Mueller
Photo by Brandi Mueller: A frogfish blends in perfectly on a red coral in Dumaguete, Philippines. Gear: Nikon D850 camera, 105mm macro lens, Ikelite housing and dual Ikelite DS230 strobes. Exposure: ISO 320, f/22, 1/200s.

Romantic Reds

Text and photos by Brandi Mueller

Red, a color often associated with passion, makes me think of romance. Interestingly enough, it is the first color we lose as we descend into the depths because its longer wavelengths are absorbed first. But with the help of strobes or a bright light, the hue is revealed, and I am sometimes shocked by just how red a subject may be underwater, even though it appears dark and drab underwater without artificial lighting.

Some bright red creatures I have found in the sea include squirrelfish with bright red eyes and scales. The ribbons of eggs laid by Spanish Dancer nudibranchs are red, and occasionally, a frogfish will camouflage itself to match the vivid red coral around it. Tomato clownfish are an orangish red. And sometimes, they even live in romantically red anemones. Visit: brandiunderwater.com

 

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Lemon sharks photo by Gary Rose
Photo by Gary Rose: Lemon sharks bond and love to rub against each other. Gear: Nikon D500 camera, Tokina 10-17mm lens, Nauticam housing, and Inon Z-330 strobes. Exposure: ISO 200, f/8, 1/125s, FL 17. 

Relationships

Text and photos by Gary Rose, MD

Anybody who has spent significant time with wild animals in their natural environment cannot help but observe that wild animals do form relationships with each other. It is not uncommon to see individual animals forming pairs that are not related, in any way, to reproduction. Some animals form small symbiotic (a mutually beneficial relationship between individuals) communities, such as schools, packs and prides, to enhance survival.

I often encounter groups of lemon sharks during my dives off the coast of Jupiter, Florida. Photo 1 demonstrates a pair of lemon sharks that I observed for 45 minutes. It was such a pleasure to watch them continuously bump, prod, and nudge each other. Was this activity a prelude to something bigger? Ever since that dive, I have observed this pairing-off behavior of lemon sharks on many of my Jupiter dives.  

Lemon sharks are very friendly and social. They are playful and cavort like puppy dogs. A diver must always remember that they are still wild animals. After decades of observation, I have formed the opinion that lemon sharks are able to recognize individual divers. The ampullae of Lorenzini are a network of electro-sensory organs on the snout of sharks, with which they detect electrical fields, and every diver has their own electromagnetic signature. 

Tiger Beach, Grand Bahama Island, is famous for its tiger shark aggregations. I love to return each year to see these beautiful creatures and observe their growth and maturation. Within the aggregation—I have witnessed up to 18 individuals together at one site—I have frequently noticed pairs that break away from the group and cruise together along the seagrass, Photo 2. They appear to have a collective consciousness, as their fluid motion is perfectly synchronized. 

Revillagigedo (now more commonly called Socorro) is an archipelago of islands 250 miles west of Cabo San Luis, Mexico. At the extreme western edge of this island chain stands Roca Partida. It pierces the ocean surface to a height of 112ft and 330 ft long. The sea mount plunges thousands of feet to the ocean floor. As a result, the vertical walls have become the habitat of many species of aquatic animals. Some of the most interesting are the communities of whitetip sharks that have adapted to communal living within the pockmarked ledges of Roca. These symbiotic communities have allowed successful survival for millions of years in this isolated environment.  

These are just a few examples of bonding and relationships among wild animals. Science is just scratching the surface of understanding the complexities of animal behavior. What emotions do they feel? How do they recognize others? How well do they recognize themselves? How much is reflex, and to what degree is thought involved? I am excited to learn the answers. Visit: garyrosephotos.com

 

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Lily pads photo by Olga Torrey
Photo by Olga Torrey: Water lilies in Cenote Nicte-Ha, Tulum, Mexico. Gear: Olympus OM-1 camera, Panasonic 8mm fisheye lens, Nauticam housing, Sea&Sea YS-D1 strobes. Exposure: ISO 320, f/8, 1/160s.

Romantic Symbols

Text and photos by Olga Torrey

In Mexico, I dived on a reef in Cozumel and noticed a purple sponge and a conch side by side on the seafloor. In Photo 1, the warm pink hues of the conch and sponge evoke a sense of romance, and the shape of the sponge resembles a heart. Sponges provide a home for numerous cryptic organisms, while the conch seeks refuge to avoid becoming a meal for hungry sea creatures.

While diving in Cozumel, I saw a hawksbill sea turtle and two French angelfish (Photo 2). I raised my camera with a fisheye lens to my face and pressed the shutter. The turtle was calm and just a few inches from the camera dome, but the fish moved close to the turtle, guarding it from moving closer to me and keeping a watchful eye on me. It seemed as if the angelfish were kissing the turtle, but they were most likely cleaning the turtle of parasites.

I planned to dive Cenote Nicte-Ha in Tulum, Mexico, because of its beautiful water lilies, which have heart-shaped leaves that symbolize love and romance in some cultures. I took advantage of the sunny day to show the primary red and yellow spectra and used a fisheye lens to capture the vast pool of lilies (Photo 3). 

During a visit to British Columbia, I was amazed by the colors and variety of marine life. I was captivated by the vibrant colors of a pair of opalescent sea slugs on the kelp. The nudibranchs were impressive with their mesmerizing courtship dance using rhinophores, cerata and branchial plumes. Visit: fitimage.nyc

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