The Cold, Wet, Messy Reality of Capturing Beauty Underwater

By Sydney photographer; Chris Meredith


It all started as I was swimming out to a distant buoy in Sydney harbour early one winter’s morning. The routine of swimming in the world’s most beautiful harbour is a great way of thinking and as I stroked my way out, I wondered whether it would be possible to combine my two passions of swimming and photography.

Under the water, a new world emerges. It’s a silent and surreal world that’s filled with streams of delicate sunlight. And free of gravity, there’s a sense of freedom that is often implied by the concept of nude photography. A plan emerged!

The first shoot was surprisingly successful – in my innocence, I started to work with only the essentials; a beautiful and spirited model and a large deep pool. Absent were the usual accessories of underwater work, such as complicated housings, lights, scuba gear and so on.

It meant that I was able to work in the same way as I had on land – in collaboration with the model, building up the shots through lots of feedback and discussion.

To this day, I try to keep equipment and distractions to a minimum. It means that all of my shots are captured with natural light and my underwater housing is still very basic. The only on-shoot luxury is a heated swimming pool, which is able to produce bath-like conditions even in mid winter.

My fascination with underwater the nude stems from the fact that models are able to create gorgeous poses that wouldn’t be possible on land. Curves become curvier and arms and legs are able to hang delicately against weightless wavy hair. What’s more, sunlight creates beautiful lacy patterns that seem to dance on the models’ skin.

From a viewer’s perspective the images have a surreal quality, which means it’s easier to view them as works of art, rather than erotica. After all, there is no easy reference point or context for judging an image of model in such a strange weightless world.

The underwater world can also work to amplify beauty. When model and photographer don’t splash, the water’s surface creates a reflection overhead, resulting in a wobbly mirror, which adds a second perspective to the image beneath. It’s a bit like a two-for-one deal for the viewer.

If there is a risk of getting carried away by the romance of the underwater world, the practicalities of the shoot are a stark contrast, which keeps the photographer grounded. Above the water, around the pool, an array of towels and backdrops quickly turns into a sodden mess. In the pool, model and photographer have to learn how to work so that their brief dives are synchronised. “Did you mean me to dive then?” is a common question after I’ve been silently holding my breath for 2 minutes at the bottom of the pool!

In truth, I’m quietly amused by the contrast between the shots themselves and the organised chaos in which they’re created. In exhibitions, I often show the ‘behind-the-scenes’ images, which are sometimes as interesting to visitors as the exhibits themselves. And it seems to enhance their beauty too.

I’m in awe of the models who create such stunning shapes as they pose, often upside down, with water gurgling into ear and nose cavities, sometimes looking up into direct sun to mimic the effect of the mirror above them. I’ve worked a lot with two well known Model Society models – Sylph Sia and Ivory Flame. They are both superb models on-land and they somehow manage to transfer their genius to the tricky world of underwater. As far as I know, neither of them are particularly strong or keen swimmers – they’re just great models who know how to make it happen underwater too.

Looking forward, I plan to build up my underwater portfolio, ideally working in the sea as well as in swimming pools. I’d like to experiment with more dramatic settings, which include wilder splashes of colour and more fantastic backdrops. I’ll also be building up my underwater video portfolio, which means creating strong storylines as well as great images.

behind-the-sceens


About the photographer

Originally from the UK, Chris Meredith is based in Sydney Australia. He funds his photo-art projects via his wedding and portrait photography business: Shoeless Photography. (www.shoeless-photography.com).

 

Comments

comments