Page 23 - Q01-2021 Fins Magazine

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deceased. But it was underwater one of the biggest challenges that space. So I tend to be a very
for probably a good three or as a photographer is getting the calm person in the water. And I
four months before I gave up the model to the point where she is have the ability to kind of make
ghost. It was just a trooper. It relaxed in front of the camera. And people feel the same way. And as
disintegrated because the glue that’s on land! How do you do it a photographer that works with
between the wood actually kind of underwater, so she doesn’t look inexperienced models a lot, that’s
just disappeared in the water, so it horribly uncomfortable or, like she’s the greatest gift, I have is to be
actually started to fall apart so… drowning and scared for her life? able to get them to the same place.
I could build these amazing sets,
JW Brett S I could light them, and they could
I don’t know, I could be wrong, but So, one of the biggest tips, as a look incredible. But if the model
I don’t think it was designed for photographer, is working with looks uncomfortable and stiff, it’s all
underwater. I’m just guessing. people who are comfortable for nothing.
under the water. Milynn is a great
Brett S underwater model. And so are a JW
You’re right about that. lot of the people that I work with, So, people skills are a huge part
but not the majority of people that of this. Getting models to be
Pat P I work with. The majority of people relaxed underwater, if they’re not
I am amazed at your lighting. are just regular everyday people, underwater models, is actually
Some of your images have curtains some of them can’t swim, and some quite an accomplishment.
with light coming through which of them even have a fear of water.
flows through the model’s fabric. For me as the photographer, I have Brett S
The room has a chandelier, the duty of getting them to that Thanks. I think if anyone’s watching
a candelabra and there is a place where they look the best. this and they want to be an
wainscotting on the walls. This underwater photographer and do
looks really well thought out. How And if you look a lot of my images, this sort of stuff, that’s the sort of
did you figure out how to put all the expression that their body is thing you need. You need to be
these pieces together? giving off, the body language. It’s a person who can communicate
this idea of relaxation. It’s an idea of well, who doesn’t get stressed
Brett S peace. It’s an idea of the ethereal. under pressure. Or if you do get
To be honest, it’s just trial and The state that I’m trying to get my stressed, you don’t outwardly show
error, I don’t tend to sleep very model to is akin to the feeling of it. Someone who can support the
well. So a lot of my awake time just about to fall asleep. The idea people they’re working with. If
is thinking about stupid stuff like is that you’re so comfortable, and they think you’re trying to get them
this. So for me, it was just a lot of you’re so relaxed, and you’re so out of their comfort zone too far
like, you know, look on Amazon, content that you can just relax your then then that’s when silly things
see what I can find, see if I can body, close your eyes, and then happen. Silly things can become
find materials that will last under let the water do everything else. dangerous very quickly.
the water, and just things like that. In terms of posing, it’s all about
A part of me loves this MacGyver being relaxed, not trying to control Pat P
kind of situation. Where I’m like, everything. Just letting go of the Safety has to be a huge concern for
how do I make this work? Most of situation and then everything else you.
what I do underwater is driven by a kind of falls into place.
need to create something physical Brett S
or to solve a problem. So, the Pat P Yeah. I think we gloss over that a
problem was how do I build a room I know every time I talk to you and little bit. Sometimes when we talk
underwater? And that was the I listen to you, I immediately feel a about underwater photography,
problem that I wanted to solve. little bit more Zen. So, the fact that I it’s all about the fantastical side
can see that easily transferring into of things. But I’m very much a
Pat P a model in front of the camera, it proponent of safety. And we are
I am also a photographer. I look at makes a lot of sense. so close to doing something very
this from all the different aspects dangerous. That if you’re not
that I would be challenged with, Brett S aware, and you’re not planning
the lighting, the fluidity of the Well, to be honest, I think one of properly, then you can put people
model, and how you’re getting my greatest skills, aside from you in danger and you don’t want to do
all of the hair not in her face at know, even more than being a that.
that right click of the lens. But photographer is getting people to
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