Underwater portraits
Underwater, portraiture becomes something else entirely. The body breaks free of gravity, fabric and hair come alive, and every image becomes a story woven between the model and the water. In a pool, where everything can be staged, or in the sea or a lake, against a natural backdrop, I set out to capture expressions and gestures that no studio on land could ever produce.
It all comes down to light. Depending on the project, I work with the sun at different times of day, underwater strobes and video lights, or film lights set up out of the water. The gear looks a lot like a regular studio, but the water changes everything:
- Reflections and refractions: the surface acts like a funhouse mirror, adding depth and complexity.
- Shifting light: filtered through the ripples, it casts moving shadows and creates an otherworldly mood.
- Depth: the difference in brightness between the surface and the bottom gives the image dimension.
- Movement: swirls, ripples and suspended bubbles capture the energy of the moment.
- Emotion: soft light evokes serenity, while stronger contrast suggests mystery or action.
By playing with these reflections, refractions and variations, I create images that transform reality and draw the viewer into a world of emotion far removed from traditional portraiture.
