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 40 feet (12 meters). My aim with this image was to convey the sheer vastness of the underwater realm, emphasizing its grandeur to the human scale. To achieve this, I employed complementary colors to enhance the visual impact of the composition. In this scene, an underwater model plays a pivotal role. She sourced her air supply from my backup regulator before swimming approximately 40 feet (12 meters) 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, I guided the model 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. 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. We patiently waited for the sun to emerge from behind the clouds, recognizing its pivotal role in crafting this photograph aptly titled "Sun Dancer."