Defying Gravity,
Underwater I-VIII
Episode IV
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 #4: Ladder
When photographing underwater in a swimming pool, the photographer needs a
fixed place to come up to breathe, direct subjects and assistants and hold
a heavy camera and housing. One solution is to fix a mini ladder along the side of
the pool and tie it down. Another is to place a 6-10 foot aluminum step ladder in
a strategic place in the center of the pool. Underwater sand bags (weights) will
be needed to keep it in place. The photographer can stand on a step,
head and even shoulders above the water and then simply
move down the ladder to make photographs.
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I would appreciate your sharing this work.
