Sun Dancer

The pristine water clarity depicted in this photograph may give the impression of surface waters, but we were submerged at a depth of 40ft/ 12m. My aim with this image was to convey the freedom felt underwater in the ocean and the ability to move the human body freely in a space where gravity’s effects are dampened. To achieve this, I decided to use complementary colors (the bright yellow in contrast to the rich blues) to enhance the visual impact of the clarity of the water. I partnered with my friend and professional underwater performer, to create this image who has a dancer, plays a pivotal role. We used a combination of scuba diving and freediving (do not attempt) to execute this image. She sourced her air supply from my backup regulator before swimming approximately 40ft/ 12m ahead of me to assume her designated position. To maintain optimal underwater visibility and avoid any disturbance to the sandy seabed, we decided that I should remain stationary throughout the shoot. During each attempt, the model had to precisely control the exhalation of air from her lungs, allowing her to achieve the ideal buoyancy and permitting her toes to gently brush against the sandy bottom. This level of precision, trust, and body awareness is are key component when doing shoots like these in the wild ocean. To ensure a clean and unobstructed perspective from my vantage point, we discreetly concealed dive weights on the back-left side of her body. While the concept appears straightforward, achieving the perfect shot proved to be an hour-long endeavor. A lot of the time on the dive went to patiently waiting for the sun to emerge from behind the clouds, recognizing its pivotal role in crafting this photograph aptly titled "Sun Dancer."