Underwater photographer from Exmouth wins national award with snap of huge jellyfish

An underwater photographer has captured this picture of a large jellyfish under a paddleboarder.

The image was taken by photographer and film-maker Lewis Jefferies off Falmouth, Cornwall.

It features Lewis's partner Sammy paddleboarding above a compass jellyfish with the sunshine beaming from behind her.

Lewis, 33, said: "The jellyfish make great subjects to photograph and are quite handy because they don't move very fast.

''So once you find one, you can experiment with lots of different angles.

"I'd had a shot like this in mind for a while with my partner on a paddleboard above the waterline and some marine life below.

"The conditions were amazing and there was a lovely sunset - which gave me the ingredients I needed to create something quite interesting.

"Credit has to go to Sammy for paddling out to the right spot at the right moment.''

This amazing shot called 'A Peaceful Coexistence' was captured last July in Falmouth Bay.

It won Lewis first place in the 'British Waters Living Together' category of the national competition 'Underwater Photographer of the Year 2022'.

Lewis, originally from Exmouth in Devon, has photographed for a range of organisations, including WWF-UK, Project Seagrass and Cornwall Wildlife Trust.

Underwater photographer Lewis Jefferies is originally from Exmouth (Lewis Jefferies)

Lewis said: "We have such a wealth of marine life in our British waters, and I really hope this image will inspire others to experience and cherish the wonders we have right on our doorstep."

To view more of Lewis's shots, click here.