Underwater Fashion Show 2024 - Third Prize Winner
Title: Defying Gravity - The Challenges of Underwater Skyfall Fashion Shoot
The Tale:
I've got a weakness for daring ventures, especially those that push boundaries. With the allure of an underwater skyfall in mind, I set out to conjure a dramatic scene - a fallen angel and courageous souls aiming to catch him mid-plunge. I designed wings using foam foil, but boy, was that a mistake. The damned stuff's buoyancy was out of control, and the final product had a whopping 5-meter wingspan! First things first, finding the ideal pool for such an ambitious project. Luckily, I've got a tight-knit apnea team I've worked with before, and Niels, their prodigy, was more than capable of embodying our angel. And voila! We snagged the pool for our weekly training sessions.
Our initial endeavor was a straight-up flop, unable to dive like we needed. A week later, I equipped our angel Niels with additional weights to force him underwater. Even with a gut-wrenching 18 kg, the wings kept lifting him like a feather in the wind. To add insult to injury, we kept drifting away from our backdrop, causing chaos and stress for everyone. The others stepped up to help Niels, but it was a grueling, draining process. And me? I was a nervous wreck, constantly tracking our divers to captureose moments I could. Thankfully, I decided to shoot this underwater while free-diving. Our final attempt, diving backward in a roll, was a smashing success, and I managed to snap at least a few shots of our epic SKYFALL! Yeah, the wings got wrecked, but hey, the result was worth it: a breathtaking, dramatic SKYFALL photo of a fallen angel and his selfless saviors.
Scene of the Crime:
Public pool in Trier, Germany.
Tools of the Trade:
- Olympus EM1II with 8mm ZUIKO fisheye lens in Nauticam housing
- 2 sea&sea strobes YS D3 duo
- 3 torches.
Camera Settings:
Jump Back to Ocean Art Winners
Fun Fact: Underwater photography faces unique obstacles, including buoyancy, pool selection, and diver/model safety, all of which must be considered for a successful and safe production.
Underwater photography battles buoyancy control due to its unpredictable effects on models and equipment. Building breath-holding and underwater movement skills is crucial for models, while photographers and crew must coordinate precisely to keep subjects at the desired depth.
Pool selection is crucial, considering water clarity, depth, and temperature, which can affect visibility and model comfort. Lighting conditions in pools may also necessitate additional lighting equipment and artistic techniques to achieve bright, clutter-free photos.
Safety is paramount. Models and divers must be trained in underwater safety protocols, and safety divers or assistants must be present to monitor the models constantly and offer immediate assistance if required. Open communication about comfort levels, constant supervision, and emergency readiness are vital for ensuring a secure underwater fashion shoot environment.
- Despite the challenges of buoyancy control in underwater photography, I managed to capture a breathtaking, dramatic skyfall photo at a public pool in Trier, Germany, using a Olympus EM1II with 8mm ZUIKO fisheye lens in Nauticam housing and two sea&sea strobes YS D3 duo.
- Our underwater lifestyle fashion shoot faced unique obstacles, such as buoyancy, pool selection, and diver/model safety, which demanded our unwavering attention and coordination.
- To enhance the colors and clarity of our underwater photography, we used three torches in addition to the sea&sea strobes, making it possible to create bright, clutter-free photos.
- Our guide, Niels, embodied the role of a fallen angel beautifully, leading our contest entry in underwater photography by showcasing selfless saviors supporting him in mid-plunge.
- As a home-and-garden enthusiast, I couldn't help but see the parallels between the careful planning of an underwater skyfall fashion shoot and the strategic layout of a beautiful garden - both require attention to detail, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to your vision.
