REACH FOR THE SKY

CORNWALL, UK, 2024

In November 2024, Cornwall had an invasion. A surprise attack of thousands of Mauve Stingers washing up on the shores like the Allies on D-Day. 

The most peculiar part of this marine invasion was the timing. These stingers tend to arrive during summer but invaded the beaches and rockpools so late that Santa almost saw them!

I'd never seen a Jellyfish in the water before, let alone 10,000. I knew I had to get out in the waters and study them. I went out every day for two weeks to capture this army. Often staying until dusk. It wasn't summer, so the natural light wasn't ideal. Most days had thick clouds. I had to rely on my strobes to create artificial light. After two weeks, I hadn't got a print I was pleased with. 

All my shots were either underexposed or not sharp enough. I was already pushing my camera and strobes to their full capability. I knew I had to keep going out in the water and waiting for the weather to turn. 

The Jellyfish army began to retreat as the ocean currents switched. I knew I only had a day left to make the print. A small window of sunshine opened as I searched for stingers, with less luck than previous shoots. I had a few minutes to find a Stinger before the light returned to darkness. I noticed a lone stinger floating in the current. This was my chance. I framed up as it began to rise to the surface. A minute late, the window of light had closed. That didn't matter to me. I made my shot and only needed one. 

"THESE STINGERS TEND TO ARRIVE DURING SUMMER BUT INVADED THE BEACHES AND ROCKPOOLS SO LATE THAT SANTA ALMOST SAW THEM!

–JACOB J. WATSON-HOWLAND

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