Underwater Art

Another day, another shoot.

Today I undertook some more training for Underwater Art by Nicola Gwyther. I now have my breathing and my buoyancy under control but I still need to make sure that my focusing is up to a high standard. Practice, practice and more practice. I am feeling positive about the next few weeks and I am determined that I will get myself up to a high standard. I am really pleased with some of the images that I have obtained.

Onwards and upwards!

Here is a peak at the new website.

Underwater Art by Nicola Gwyther

Underwater Art | About

Underwater Photography Training

Yesterday I finally got round to starting my training in underwater photography. This involves taking pictures of young children and babies underwater at swim schools around various locations in the UK.

Yesterday the training was at Tadley in Hampshire. I was relieved to discover that it was for a small group of 20 children. Initially I was observing but I was also given the opportunity to take some shots….no pressure :/. Taking photos under the water is a very different experience to taking photos on dry land. The underwater housing that the camera is encased in takes some getting used to and it feels rather large and bulky, the other obstacle for me to overcome was holding my breath under the water. Holding my breath was not so much of an issue, it was trying to control my movement that I found the most difficult. Even with a weight belt on, I found buoyancy an issue and kept on rising to the water’s surface. Once I had figured out that the best way to deal with this was to do something counterintuitive (breathing out before submerging) I found the whole process a lot easier and was able to gain more control once submerged.

I am looking forward to the next session and just hope that I do not forget any of the technical aspects of the training. The next session will be with a larger group of children and will span over 2 days…a challenge, but something I am looking forward to.

Examples of the images that I am working towards can be seen on the website for the company that I am working for. Enjoy!

Underwater Art by Nicola Gwyther

© Nicola Gwyther, Underwater Art by Nicola Gwyther. All rights reserved.

References

Gwyther, N. (2015). Professional Underwater Photographer baby swimming photos. [online] Underwater-art.co.uk. Available at: http://www.underwater-art.co.uk [Accessed 29 Mar. 2015].

Wrest Park

It has been a few months now since I left university and I have missed creating panoramas and stereographic images. So whilst out on a weekend stroll around Wrest Park in Bedfordshire, UK, I decided that I would create some new images.

The shots have been taken “hand held” as I still haven’t had the opportunity to purchase a panoramic head for my tripod. The images I can achieve from “hand held” are of acceptable standard but I know that having a panoramic head will make the stitching process far easier during post production.

Here are the images that I obtained:

Wrest Park
© Richard Brochu-Williams

Wrest Park
© Richard Brochu-Williams

References

English-heritage.org.uk, (2015). Wrest Park | English Heritage. [online] Available at: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/wrest-park/ [Accessed 12 Jan. 2015].

Winter Garden

A new year, a new start. Now that Christmas has come and gone, I am hoping to venture out more with my camera and take some new pictures. The weather is a little cold at the moment but I do not let this deter me, there is something quite invigorating about the great British outdoors.

For Christmas I received a gift that I hope to use as often as I can to incorporate into my practice, that gift was an Autographer….great for taking candid shots and I will be using it as well as my standard Nikon camera. Over the festive period I have experimented with it but I am definitely looking forward to some drier, warmer weather where I shall be using it more!

I will be updating this space shortly…..

Rose
© Richard Brochu-Williams

Web
© Richard Brochu-Williams

Icicles
© Richard Brochu-Williams

References

Autographer, (2015). Autographer – The World’s First Intelligent Wearable Camera.. [online] Available at: http://www.autographer.com [Accessed 4 Jan. 2015].