There are moments in the ocean when everything aligns—not because of action or drama, but because of light.

You’re floating there, waiting, watching. And then it happens. A break in the clouds. The sun tilts just right. And suddenly, beams of light—”God rays”—cascade down through the water, shimmering and alive.

*Manta Ray off Isla Mujeres, MX. 1/400, f9, ISO 1000*

It’s like the ocean begins to breathe in light.

This series of images is about that moment.

These images aren’t the product of strobes or perfect gear. They come from natural light—pure, shifting, fleeting. You can’t plan for it. You can only be there, camera ready, when the ocean decides to perform.

When the light hits just right, it creates a visual dance—rays flowing around the animals, wrapping them in something more than just water. It adds emotion. Story. Magic.

In these photos, the animals aren’t just subjects.

They’re participants in the light show—swimming through beams like dancers on a stage they didn’t build, but somehow understand.

*Striped marlin hunting sardine baitball off Magdalena Island, Baja. 1/500, f9 ISO 1250*

Technical Insight

For moments like these, I shoot with:

Natural light only
A wide-angle lens (Canon 8–15mm fisheye)
Shutter speeds between 1/320–1/500 to preserve movement without losing softness
Aperture around f/8 to f/10 to keep rays sharp but natural
ISO is dependent on how deep the light penetrates that day

With these images, I let the light do the work.

*Great White off Guadalupe Island, MX. 1/320, f8, ISO 800*

Why It Matters

These aren’t action shots. They’re mood shots.
Moments that remind us why we fell in love with the ocean in the first place.
Not for what happens... but for how it feels.

The dance of light is brief.
It doesn’t last long.
But when you catch it and freeze it in a photo… It stays with you.