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].

Underwater Photography

It has been a very intense year so far, what with all of the assignments and essays that we have been set at university but with a lot of hard work and time I have managed to come out the other end relatively unscathed. Writing essays is not really my forte and I can’t say that I particularly enjoy them but I guess that you have to take the rough with the smooth.

The end of this month sees the beginning of Semester C and the start of our Major Project that will lead up to the final exhibition in October this year. I am looking forward to getting started on this project and seeing what work I will produce for it. This will be a busy summer for me this year but I still hope to be making regular blog entries.

I have had some good news on the work front too. My boss at Underwater Art has offered me the opportunity to be trained using the underwater camera and equipment, so that I am able to help out and assist with the photo shoots and help ease her workload. This is a great opportunity, and whilst this is an exciting opportunity, I can’t help but be a little nervous about it. Those thoughts keep creeping into my head, “What if the equipment fails?”, “Will I be able to do it?”….Well I guess the only way to know is to give it a go! The training will come in two parts. The first part will consist of observing and practising going into the water with the weight belt and the second part will consist of me actually shooting. Whilst I have used the camera before for my BA Major Project, this will be an entirely different scenario, as this time I will be photographing babies and young children as opposed to an adult, who I can direct and explain how I want the shoot to turn out. Children as we all know are a little less predictable. Watch this space….

In the meantime Underwater Art’s Website can be viewed from the link below:

Underwater Art

Underwater Art by Nicola Gwyther | Cambridge