A Spark in the Dark: Ryo Minemizu’s Plankton Portraits

Japanese photographer Ryo Minemizu has spent over two decades exploring the hidden world of oceanic microorganisms. His work focuses on one of the sea’s most fleeting wonders: larval plankton that glow like tiny, drifting constellations. After years of studying tides and wind patterns, Ryo developed a precise method for photographing these delicate creatures just as they reach the coastline and begin their transformation into adult forms.

His Phenomenons series is a collection of striking underwater images that feel almost otherworldly, featuring vivid blues, glowing reds and translucent forms suspended in blackness. While the photos might look like abstract digital art, they’re all real, shot in natural settings using custom lighting and macro photography. It’s a blend of patience, science and precision that turns brief moments of marine life into mesmerizing portraits.

You can view more of Ryo’s work on his website, and his images are also featured in the book “Jewels in the night sea,” a great pick if you’re after a coffee table book that’s both inspiring and intriguing.

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