The glowing wonders of bioluminescence were shining bright in San Diego, created by tiny organisms called Lingulodinium polyedra. This phytoplankton species lights up and emits a shimmering neon blue glow when agitated by breaking waves. Campus photographer Erik Jepsen ventured out at sunset to capture this phenomenon at University of California San Diego’s Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier. The resulting image was featured in numerous news reports about the rise in bioluminescent red tide across Southern California and was widely shared among UC San Diego media and the San Diego community. It became one of the school’s most viral and distributed images of 2024.
From the Judges
“Luminescence” is a testament to patience and an eye for timing, capturing the glow of bioluminescence in a beautifully natural way. The image is elevated by an editorial touch that enhances the moment without overshadowing.
