Marine Gems Hidden in Plain Sight: In Conversation with Sarang Naik, Nature & Wildlife Photographer

Amid the chaos of the city of Mumbai, where the concrete skyline creates a backdrop & people pace through their busy days, it is almost unimaginable to know the little stories that go unnoticed.

When one speaks of the city, a montage of garbage-ridden shores, polluted waters, swarms of hawkers, and a sea of people is what emerges in our minds. Undeterred by this disarray, a fascinating world of marine life grows and thrives beyond our concrete jungles.

That's exactly where Sarang Naik takes us - on a stunning visual journey of these remarkable creatures, followed by some interesting tips on how to photograph them.

Zoanthids

A hidden garden of Zoanthids, Hydroids, Sponges and Algae is revealed at low tide right next to Marine Drive. This is no less diverse, fascinating and ecologically rich than a terrestrial forest. 

Settings: This is an HDR image made from 3 exposures. 1. Shutter Speed 2.5 sec, Aperture f/16, ISO 100, 2. Shutter Speed 21 sec, Aperture f/16, ISO 100, 3. Shutter Speed 1/3, Aperture f/16, ISO 100

Gear: Canon EOS 750D, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8.

Hermit Crab

These crabs turn abandoned shells into their mobile homes. They're abundantly found on the city's shores. Once they grow too big for their current shell, they have to search for a bigger one. Epic fights often break out among the crabs over prime shell real estate. 

Settings: Shutter Speed 1/500, Aperture f/2.8, ISO 800

Gear: Canon EOS 750D, Tamron 90mm Macro.

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When did you discover that Mumbai had such a diverse marine ecosystem?

I've lived in Mumbai my whole life, but I was completely unaware of this amazing ecosystem until about two years ago. My friends had started a group called Marine Life of Mumbai to document and create awareness about the creatures found on our shores. I decided to join them for one of their first shore walks. Life and my idea of this city haven't been the same since.

Moray Eel

Moray Eels can sometimes be found resting in tide pools on rocky beaches like Bandra Carter Road and Khar Danda. One needs to be careful as they can get aggressive and give really painful bites. 

Settings: Shutter Speed 1/50, Aperture f/2.8, ISO 800

Gear: Canon EOS 750D, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8

Eye of an Octopus

A close-up image of an Octopus's eye, found in a shallow tide pool at Juhu beach. 

Settings: Shutter Speed 1/100, Aperture f/2.8, ISO 800

Gear: Canon EOS 750D, Tamron 90mm Macro.

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What are some of your favourite species to capture?

Zoanthids and Nudibranchs. Zoanthids are an order of Cnidarians, similar to Corals and commonly found in coral reefs. They can be seen on some of Mumbai’s rocky shores during low tides. Nudibranchs (also called Sea Slugs) are a diverse group of marine molluscs that display a crazy variety of colours and forms. Several species of nudibranchs that you would think can only be found at famous dive sites have been spotted on the shores of Mumbai.

Sea Slug (Cratena Sp.)

The Cratena Sp. Sea Slug which was unidentified for a long time, has now been described as a new species by BNHS scientists. It's called Cratena Pawarshindeorum, named after two long-term employees of BNHS: Pawar and Shinde. They feed on the stinging polyps of Hydroids and then incorporate the stings into their bodies as a form of self-defense. 

Settings: Shutter Speed 1/125, Aperture f/2.8, ISO 800

Gear: Canon EOS 750D, Tamron 90mm Macro.

Sea Slug (Elysia Hirasei)

This is a sap sucking Sea Slug which means it feeds on the sap of marine algae. It stores the chloroplast from the algae in its body and uses it to create food. 

Settings: Shutter Speed 1/100, Aperture f/2.8, ISO 800

Gear: Canon EOS 750D, Sigma 105mm Macro.

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A photography tip for amateur photographers who would like to take up marine photography

1. Safety First: You must get used to walking on rocky and slippery shores. If you fall, you can get badly cut on the sharp oysters.

2. You also need to keep an eye on the rising tide, or you can easily get stuck out there. Please avoid collecting souvenirs and handling any creature, as it can be venomous.

3. Good knowledge of where and how to search for the right creatures also helps.

4. A lot of the creatures you find are tiny, so a macro or close-up lens is very useful.

5. Bright reflections on the surface of the tide pools always reduce the clarity of the images. To get rid of them, you can cover the shooting area with your or your friend's shadow. A polarising filter can also be used.

Sea Slug (Goniobranchus bombayanus)

This Sea Slug has the honour of being named after the city of Mumbai (then Bombay) since it was first described from here in the year 1946. 

Settings: Shutter Speed 1/50, Aperture f/11, ISO 1600

Gear: Canon EOS 750D, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8.

Sea Star

Adding to the city's star power, these small but cute sea stars can be found basking on rocks at Juhu beach during low tides. 

Settings: Shutter Speed 1/4, Aperture f/3.5, ISO 1600

Gear: Canon EOS 750D, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8.

Sea Whip Coral

These beautiful corals and many others can be found right off Marine Drive. You can just make out the Air Indian building in the background. 

Settings: Shutter Speed 1/320, Aperture f/2.8, ISO 800

Gear: Canon EOS 750D, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8

Sponges

Another commonly found animal on the city's coast is sponges of various colours and sizes. They are very simple organisms that feed by filtering out floating organic particles from the seawater. 

Settings: Shutter Speed 1/2, Aperture f/18, ISO 100

Gear: Canon EOS 750D, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8.

'Marine Life Of Mumbai', is a citizen initiative started by a group of friends (environmentalists, marine researchers and enthusiasts alike) in 2017. It aims to spread awareness about Mumbai's hidden treasures and create a database of sightings along the coast. With that aim in mind, regular shore walks are organized free of cost during low tides. Follow the Marine Life of Mumbai Facebook and Instagram pages to stay updated on upcoming walks!

Sarang Naik is a nature & wildlife photographer from Mumbai, India. A maestro of creative nature photography and urban wildlife, he's been taking a keen interest in the many wild denizens in and around Mumbai, especially the intertidal biodiversity on the city's shores. His work has been recognized in several international competitions and publications.

Sarang is also a part of the Marine Life of Mumbai collective.