Shiff arms jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo)

Medes, Spain. In some spots there were a couple of these. This picture was taken in front of the cave where hundreds of jellies were residing. Called Borm blau in the Catalan language.
This is a non-stinging harmless jellyfish, that feeds on plankton. I was afraid of it at the time, but that is not neccessary with this species.

Apparently this the most interesting picture on Flickr tagged with Scuba (click on little globe next to a tag and sort by "most interesting). I am flattered.
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Comments

< Prev 1 2 Next >

(121 comments)

ScubaGeek says:

Fantastic! Did you do any manipulation on the image?
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Hueyatl says:

Nice!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Arne Kuilman says:

Thanks Scubageek (auto levels and sharpen), but it is very close to the original image. This was the best shot out of 24 or so. This is just a matter of buoyancy, framing and luck. This one turned out nicest.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

SteveStyle.photos says:

Great shot!!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

taminator says:

Wonderful backlighting really makes the photo. Nice work.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Mingfong says:

This thing looks like an alien spaceship. I like your presentation.

(1-2-3 Nature)
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

addicted Eyes says:

a fantastic shot!
well done.

123 nature
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

martytdx says:

Fantastic of the back-lighting. (123 Nature)
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

rodrigolab says:

wow, the backlighting is really unique in this shot!!

1-2-3 Nature
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Roloff says:

A classic shot indeed! And quite newsworthy these days. Appearently, these jellyfish are forming a plague around the Costa del sol and Costa Brava in august and september, like last year. Over tenthousand people have been treated for stings sofar this year. According to biologists and ecologists, more and more jellyfish are turning up in the Mediterranean waters because of a demise in it's perdators (overfishing on particularly tuna and mackerel, and tenthousands of seaturtles being trapped in the nets), and because of a rise in temperature in the waters due to global warming.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

hyde_ says:

Great shot!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

sean-b says:

I got stung by one of those last week.... OUCH!!

Great shot though! ;-)
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

gerb says:

Fantastic shot, Arne. Excellent sunburst, too
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

stefan turney says:

cool shot!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Detailswe4sake*Photography says:

***********************************
We would love to see this photo and other eligibles in our latest competition:
Deep Blue Sea
www.flickr.com/groups/flowercontests/discuss/ 721575942188...
Know another terrific "deep blue sea" photo, please use this invite and pass it on..
** Winners receive a showcase and interview in our group!! ;-)
Brought to you by the Flora. Nature Contests. Group. Ends 8/7
************************************
please feel free to pass this on...
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Giandomenico Ricci says:

great shot ! i love the light effect
200 Plus Views Pool</a&gt
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Steve Kuo says:

Bravo!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

May (NL) says:

Just great! What a wonderful picture
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

MO&RO says:

a real SUPERSHOT, great

www.flickr.com/groups/supershots/
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

the.golden says:

Beautiful capture! it looks like an angel or something with that glow :D How big was the thing really?
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

snowy4052002 says:

** This was voted a HIT from Hit, Miss or Maybe **
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

bobbygreg says:

** This was voted a HIT from Hit, Miss or Maybe **
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

blue4duke [deleted] says:

** This was voted a HIT from Hit, Miss or Maybe **
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Raw Concept Studios says:

This was voted a hit from Hit, Miss or Maybe
WOW, great shot!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

oatmeal2000 says:

fantastic!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

sakichin says:

nice shot!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

cervantes3773 says:

That's an awesome shot! It would have been cool if you had captured a bit more of the translucency of jellyfish, but regardless, A+.

1on1
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Arne Kuilman says:

Thanks for all the great comments from everyone!
Make sure to view the large version for details and translucency.
.
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

adi みどうり says:

great prespective!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

aberdidi says:

watch out, they sting
(from the 1on1 group)
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

May (NL) says:

You are MY WINNER!
Please add this photo to
www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

wans2pics says:

You are my winner as well!
Thanks for adding this photo to
www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

ŽakQ100 says:

This one is great, idea is great, and photo also!
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Lauren98 says:

Wow...amazing shot! I've never seen anything like it....the jellyfish is pretty cool looking too!

A Big Fave
Please add this to www.flickr.com/groups/bigfave
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

Samson So Photography says:

A Big Fave
Posted 40 months ago. ( permalink )

buju juju says:

A Big Fave
Please add this to www.flickr.com/groups/bigfave
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

time@ says:

Fascinating!Truly magical!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Taka H says:

Awesome shot !
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

fayid says:

Alive and kicking! Great shot!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Alexander Yates says:

Congratulations! Did you know that this is the most interesting photo tagged with SCUBA? Please consider posting it to The Most Interesting **Blank** Picture
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

aberdidi says:

Please post this in our new group www.flickr.com/groups/p1f1/
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

doug.deep says:

Great shot, Arne!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Chris.Gordon says:

Now you just know that this is a great shot, ;)....
Reminds me of this jelly that I photographed a few months back...

Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

ChrisBrookesPhotography.co.uk says:

awesome !!!!! top banana !!!!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

~Mina~ says:

This is just amazing!
Posted 39 months ago. ( permalink )

Marko_K says:

Very nice. Well done.
** From the P1F1- group **
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

WIlly Volk says:

I liked this photo so much, I had to mention it on Divester!
www.divester.com/2006/09/16/this-is-why-we-di ve/
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Arne Kuilman says:

Thanks Willy and crew. Another great honor. These jellies congruated in front of the shore at a cave, where we dived the cave. Medes has some of the best diving in the Mediterranean Sea.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

aberdidi says:

Love this shot so much I posted it on the P1F1 discussion forum "Can't find a picture to Fav?" Hope you don't mind.

** From the P1F1 group**
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

OzBandit says:

excllent work

** From the P1F1 group**
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Augneblinken says:

:-)
** From the P1F1 group**
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

mojamalenkost says:

"YES I would like to blow that up and hang it on my wall" the On My Wall group
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

ESOX LUCIUS says:

Excellent shot of this alien seadweller. Thanks for sharing :-)
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Michael Azucena says:

Bravo!!!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Reef Reflections says:

Great shot, love the sun burst behind the jelly. See what I mean about warmer water and better viz [I guess this was taken in relatively warm water].
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Fiona Ayerst says:

wow its amazing how much interest a jelltfish can generate. why am I chasing sharks ;). nice work- great shot of a jelly arne.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Arne Kuilman says:

Well, don't be unhappy. I noticed exactly the same with pictures about windmills or Apple Macintosh. They generate much more traffic and people. If that is what you want, photograph what people want...
I'll stick to underwater life. In the case of sharks of jellies I guess there are just more shark pictures making it more "common". A Jelly triggers some other senses. I just hope people will also notice some of my other fauna from Spain. But this jelly did turn out nice for a jellypic.
Thanks everyone.
I have yet to see and photograph a wild shark. I would be sad if I could never photograph a shark in my life. Alas the Netherlands is not a good hunting grounds for shark pictures. Hope to visit Asia next year and get some sharks on digital film. Sharks have also all vanished from the Red Sea except for the most southern places at the right time of year. Millions are slaughtered each year, which also makes me sad and angry, simply because people fear sharks and are not familiar with the shark slaughtering facts.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

rangeye says:

"YES I would like to blow that up and hang it on my wall" the On My Wall group
Just amazing.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Dave Schreier says:

What a great image!!!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Morela says:

This is wonderful! I love the light from behind!
"YES I would like to blow that up and hang it on my wall" the On My Wall group
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

PCGuyIV says:

"NO its good but not one of the greatest ever" the On My Wall group

I think the photo is superb, but it's just not something I would want hanging on my wall. Perhaps it is deserving of being framed and put on display, but not on my wall.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

E=mcSCOW says:

absolutely great composition and lighting
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

Arne Kuilman says:

Thank you, rangeye, Dave, Morela, PCGuyIV and E=mcSCOW and others. Your comments are appreciated!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

Tumbleweed Photography~Carole~so busy says:

"NO its good but not one of the greatest ever" the On My Wall group
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

seanbee says:

"NO its good but not one of the greatest ever" the On My Wall group
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

beautyfactory says:

instant fave!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

The Sprain says:

This is absolutely fantastic! I could never take a shot like this.
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

Arne Kuilman says:

Thanks everyone!
@The Sprain and others.
Technically this was a very easy shot. Right circumstances (sunny) and enough jellyfish around. Just line the jelly up with the sun, shot (with flash) and presto.
These shots

are much harder, because the subject is moving much much faster. In the end result most people don't recognize the difficulties with various UW shots.
I still need to photograph a chestnut blenny in the Red Sea...
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

Michael Seebeck says:

great shot!
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

Michael Seebeck says:

I agree with your statement re: difficulty of underwater shots; but that's just how it is... Unfortunately just because its difficult to get does not always make it any better to the layman's eye... with some shots you only know how difficult it is to get until you actually try yourself. Same with all types of photography I guess...
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

Michael Rys says:

Great composition. Even if it is an "easy" shot ;-)
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

The Sprain says:

Right place right time, right conditions. But that's probably the hard part! :P

Next time I'll keep looking up to see if there's a jelly fish above me. Hahaha.

Really, this is quite brilliant. You caught the sunburst perfectly.

The more I look at it, the more I like it.
Posted 34 months ago. ( permalink )

Paul Pagano says:

This shot is awesome...so well done...thanks for the visit....
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Christopher Chan says:

This is a sensational shot !

--
Seen in Favorites: 80 (?)
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Arne Kuilman says:

Thanks Michael, The Sprain, Paul and Christopher! I love the deep rich colours in your latest series as well, Christopher.
Posted 32 months ago. ( permalink )

Nature Explorer says:

Wow !! excellent picture!
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Jam - 3songsnoflash.co.uk says:

Fantastic, I think it'd really freak me out if I saw that bearing down on me...

I saw this in The Most Interesting **Blank** Picture
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

frogdog* says:

Stunningly beautiful
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Pelagicus says:

Nice sunburst shot! I agree about technical difficulty vs. appeal. Most people viewing photos can only judge them based on visceral impact and aesthetic appeal. Usually you're left to appreciate the technical merits on your own, with perhaps a few others "in the know".
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Cerianthus says:

Hi Arne,

a very nice shot indeed. I just discovered why it looked a bit familiar. IN his book about UWP, Martin Edge displays a similar shot on pg 136. Different jellyfish, circumstances 1 m in a tidal pool. He explains it as the shot that opened his eyes. He skipped a dive to make that shot.. You didnt even have to skip yours :-)

Gerard
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

Doha_Qatar [deleted] says:

very nice
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Andrés Vesé says:

Beautiful!
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

sindhi says:

Nice One
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

insashi_GaLLeRY says:

great shot we like a lot

A+++ Grade Photo

Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

Trevor Gregg Photography says:

Amazing backlight and exposure! You've got some really superb underwater captures.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

merlos says:

Wonderful! Fave
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Enric Fargnoli says:

I'm from Girona, near Estartit. It's great you have a nice days diving in Medes ;) Are you a nikon user?
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Arne Kuilman says:

The diving in Estartit / Medes is highly recommended. I loved the ragged underwater pinnacles and holes. Just as nice, but different than the Red Sea. And I am also a Nikon user indeed, but my underwater housing broke in july 2007, so I haven't been taking pictures since.. )-:
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

mie2002 says:

great photo!
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

tomhauburn says:

Sorry to hear about your housing and hope you get a replacement soon. Thats one of my fav shots on all of flickr.
Post this magnificent shot to the Exemplary Shots - Flickr's BEST GROUP Exemplary Shot - LOGO copy

Exemplary Shots - Flickr's BEST
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

HelenPalsson says:

oh this is so pretty.

--
Seen on digital-photography-school.com (?)
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

raphie says:

what an inspiration
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

alliak.com says:

fantastic!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

coismarbella says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Diving COIS, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

Beautiful pic!!!!
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

Janet Lee Felisa says:

Amazing Jellyfish :) Love it , did u get stung by it ?
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

Arne Kuilman says:

There were hundreds around, but luckily they don't sting painfully.
Thanks for the comments.
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

Spearfish says:

Perfect shot! Congrats!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

hsacdirk says:

A classic shot, full marks for a fabulous image.
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

etravus in New York/Connecticut says:

Inspiring shot!
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

zuf1 says:

great image!!
see mine as well: flickr.com/photos/zuf1/2716608852/
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

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