How to Photograph Bioluminescent Algae

There are certain natural phenomena that most photographers would love to capture. Aurora, eclipses, meteors, rainbows, eruptions, lightning and tornados all present challenges to the photographer, not least of which is (with the exception of eclipses) having a camera pointed the right way when they happen. Bioluminescent algae is no different in this regard. Like all the most incredible natural spectacles it is hard to predict and tricky to capture.


I’ve been lucky enough to witness bioluminescent algal blooms on several occasions and have had camera to hand when it has occurred. Of all the photographs I’ve taken they are easily the most popular and generate more interest (and copyright theft) than anything else I’ve ever photographed. So I thought I’d give everyone the low-down on this amazing natural occurrence, from a photography perspective, in order to answer everyone’s questions about it.