Defying Gravity,
Underwater I-VIII
Episode V
The adversary of Dance is Gravity. And, the human
body seems weightless underwater.
These two facts led me to explore and experiment with making photographs
of dancers underwater starting in 1992. I expanded my searches working with and
photographing many others. Learning and discovering the fascinating world
below has been a 30-year journey resulting in three major books:
https://howardschatz.com/books/waterdance/
https://howardschatz.com/books/pool-light/
https://howardschatz.com/books/h2o/
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For Photographers:
With each “Episode,” I will include a lesson, a tip, things I’ve learned that have
been helpful for me in my endeavor to create underwater images. Some
are simple and obvious; some perhaps will be revelatory.
Good luck….and please show me what you discover.
Tip Number 5: BUBBLES
When one jumps into the water, air accompanies the body resulting in a great
many bubbles. The bubbles flow up to the surface and disappear in about
five seconds. To cause bubbles to appear throughout a minute’s shoot, a large
air tank is placed on the pool deck. Connected to the air tank is rubber
tubing onto which is attached two-pound weights every few feet to prevent
the tubing filled with air from floating up, keeping it on the pool bottom.
Microscopic holes drilled through the tubing walls allow bubbles to flow out.
The tubing is placed strategically on the pool floor under the subject. The
amount of air flow is controlled by an assistant on the pool deck.
The use of a great deal of air, or O2, can alter the pool’s pH. One must pay
careful attention to that and adjust the pool chemistry accordingly.
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I would appreciate your sharing this work.
