Renaissance Worms

Russian marine biologist Alexander Semenov is a unique photographic artist specializing in invertebrate animals.

- Alexander Semenov

Currently, he works as the Head of the Divers’ team at Moscow State University’s White Sea Biological Station where he organizes various aspects of underwater work. Semenov and his team often dive in unfavorable and harsh conditions, successfully conducting complex research projects. With a key specialty in scientific macro photography in natural environments, his practice makes it possible to observe animals that cannot be properly studied under laboratory conditions, such as soft bodied planktonic organisms or stationary life forms living on the sea floor. His personal goal is to study underwater life through camera lenses and to boost people’s interest in marine biology. This is done by sharing his findings through social media and in real life through public lectures, exhibitions and media events.

Alexander Semenov isn’t just a scientist or photographer. His aim is to capture the rarest moments of ocean life with the most modern photographic and video equipment. Explorers of the past couldn’t dream about the possibilities now available in 2016, and as a result, Semenov puts forth colorful, unique and scientifically valuable images fit for a museum.