Photos

PHOTOS: Minuscule Sea Creatures Up Close

The otherworldly-looking creatures seen in the above photos are actually tiny sea creatures photographed in the Sea of Japan.

Kei Nomiyama photographs plankton, krill, larval fish and crustaceans. Many of these creatures exist within the water column and float on currents, unable to swim against those currents. To photograph these sea animals, Nomiyama dives up to 50 feet, but the idea is to stay within the mid-layer of the sea, where these creatures tend to stay. Using a macro lens and an underwater camera housing, the photographer prefers to shoot at night using a target light and strobe.

He typically shoots off of Omi Island, south of Japan's mainland.

"The sea around this island is unique," Nomiyama told weather.com. "When spring comes, upwelling currents sometimes occur at sea. This flow carries various life from the deep sea."

Nomiyama explained that Phronima sedentaria, seen in the above slideshow, is said to be an inspiration for the movie Alien. Finding this creature was one of his main inspirations as a photographer.

"I respect all oceanic creatures. Even if they are small planktons, I can feel their strong life force," Nomiyama said.

MORE FROM WEATHER.COM: Diving with Sea Creatures Great and Small