Microcosm

Laura Storm · Issue 104, Sep/Oct 2018 · pp. 56–61

Products mentioned: Panasonic GF1, INON X-2 housing, Panasonic Lumix 7-14mm lens, Canon EOS 550D, Sea & Sea RDX 550D housing, Sigma 15mm fisheye lens, INON S2000 strobes, Light & Motion Sola 800 Photo light

It’s waterlily season. There’s just enough depth to float over the stunning central arm of Bosherston’s famous protected lakes. Underwater, unopened lily buds are making their journey upward towards the sun. Others have already opened, fresh white blossom in unexpected places. From the surface, a carpet of lush green leaf pads guard this hidden world beneath. It’s a rare privilege to be in the water photographing such a unique ecosystem. We’re working in close collaboration with the National Trust’s conservation team, based at the Stackpole Estate in Wales. Our window of opportunity to capture images of this sensitive environment is tight. In a few short weeks the show will be over. But right now, it’s curtain up! The lily pads form a dense canopy – akin to that of trees in a rainforest. Thick stalks twist and turn, wrapping themselves around each other, creeping through gaps they find. …