Luminous Bay Squid can control the colour of their skin using millions of colour-changing cells called Chromatophores.

At the centre of each Chromatophore is an elastic sac full of pigment, capable of displaying colours that range from deep blacks and browns, to bright reds and yellows. The squid is able to control the appearance of each cell using an intricate lattice of nerves and muscles to expand or contract each cell. For example, contracting a cell will force pigment to gather in one spot and appear darker, while relaxing the surface of the cell will allow the pigment to disperse and appear brighter.

The squid’s skin also contains Iridophores and Leucophores. Iridophores are reflective platelets that create iridescent greens, blues, silvers and golds, while Leucophores simply reflect the colours of their surroundings, which are most often visible as whites and greys.

All of these ‘tools’ enable Luminous Bay Squid to disappear into their surroundings, making them formidable hunters to unsuspecting prey, as well as remaining elusive to their would-be predators. Hopefully you are able to see all of these colourful elements at play within this image.

This print is set on 310g/m² Fine Art Satin Paper (Gloss).

A4 paper dimensions: (210mm x 297mm)
A3 paper dimensions: (297 x 420mm)
A3+ paper dimensions: (329 mm x 483 mm)

White Border: print will be inset from the edge of the paper
No Border: print will fill the paper edge to edge