SKILL: Underwater & Aquatic Light

Version: 1.0 | Hermes Agent Lighting System

DESCRIPTION

Mastery of light behavior in aqueous environments. Covers color absorption by depth, caustic light patterns from surface refraction, volumetric scattering, and the unique optical properties of water (refractive index 1.33). Essential for underwater cinematography, aquarium photography, and submerged scene generation.

TRIGGER KEYWORDS

underwater, aquatic, submerged, ocean, diving, caustic light, underwater photography, beneath the water, water surface, swimming, aquarium, marine, deep water, blue water, underwater scene, bioluminescence

CORE RULES

• Red absorbed at 15ft, orange at 25ft, yellow at 35ft: deeper = more blue-dominant palette
• Caustic light patterns (flickering bright lines) appear on any underwater surface from surface refraction
• Volumetric scattering: particles in water make light beams visible — essential for depth atmosphere
• Artificial light (strobes, video lights) restores warm colors absorbed by depth
• Surface-to-underwater transition: bright overexposed surface seen from below, deep blue surroundings
• Bioluminescence: cool blue-green point lights in deep/dark water add otherworldly quality
• Bubbles, particles, and marine snow add scale and volumetric texture