WINNER CATEGORY PLANTS AND FUNGI
Junqi Peng | Ocean Dance

Name: Junqi Peng
Picture title: Ocean Dance
Category: Plants and Fungi
Nationality: Country of origin: China, current country of residence: United States
Occupation: I am not a full-time photographer. My day job is to make wine in Napa Valley as an ecologist and I’ve also founded my own wine brand (De Re Wines)

Technical information
Camera: Sony A7RIII
Lens: Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye
EXIF: 15mm, f/22, 0.6s, ISO 50
Accessories: Nauticam underwater housing, 2x Seacam Seaflash 150D

Junqi Peng says:

Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), one of the foundation species in temperate water ecosystems, can grow to an average height of 30 meters (100 feet) and up to 53 meters (175 feet) in ideal conditions. When grouped, it creates towering underwater forests, vibrant marine habitats, and one of the world’s most productive and dynamic ecosystems. Giant kelp forests are found in various water zones, including the Eastern Pacific Coast (from Alaska and Canada to the waters off Baja California), as well as the temperate coasts of South America, New Zealand, and Australia.

Since 2014, the North Coast has experienced an unprecedented collapse of giant kelp forests due to marine heatwaves. While recovery efforts are underway, these forests have not yet returned to their pre-2014 levels. As a diver in California, I am always captivated by the beauty of the kelp formations and their movement in the water, intensified by surging currents. My goal has been to illustrate the artistic side of this underwater environment and to advocate for the protection and restoration of giant kelp forests in California and worldwide. After various experiments, I found that long-exposure photography perfectly captures the strength and dynamic essence of giant kelp.

However, realizing this idea took nearly a year. To achieve the long-exposure effect with an ideal background, the density of the kelp, the intensity of the surge, and the ambient light all needed to be optimal. This effect was ultimately achieved on a late summer afternoon (around 5:30 PM) at a depth of 10 meters (33 feet) in the Channel Islands. I positioned two strobes above my camera, angled downward, to illuminate backscatter particles like stardust. I was thrilled with the final outcome.