I've been Shooting Babies

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Yes, I admit it, I have indeed been shooting babies.  Underwater, even.  The water housing, camera and I have been sitting on the bottom of various swimming pools as part of a project with the good people at Baby Aquatics, while a stream of brave little nippers are skilfully put through their sub-aqua paces.



While at first it might sound outrageous to plunge your darling 3 month old beneath the water, in fact the babies retain a reflex action to close the epiglottis, and are completely safe and happy beneath the surface.


There are a lot of technical challenges in getting these photos - including avoiding the legs and arms of the trained baby diving professionals and watchful parents when photographing underwater, while at the same time avoiding getting the same objects into the shots before the child is safely whisked back into the parental arms.  Subsequently coping with the underwater blue shift in the colour of the light and removing extraneous arms and legs that have crept into shot means a lot more computer time than swimming time.

,
Twins
It's only when the shots are on the computer that you fully notice the look of wonder on the children's faces. Once they go beneath the surface, their eyes open, and they often seem amazed at the serene blue room they've suddenly discovered, the one with the sparkling, dappled light ceiling.



It's very calm and relaxed shooting in a pool, especially compared to shooting surf in the line-up, and the results of these first trials have been pleasing.  What do you think?

Free diving

Thanks to Abi and Holly at Baby Aquatics.

Return to Ocean-Image.com
Location: Penzance, Cornwall, UK

Comments

Mel Sedgwick said…
Excellent stuff Mike, prompted me to think I must take jasmyn in a pool soon.. she loves the sea but not had her fully submersed as yet :) love the shots bro I think you've caught a little piece of magic there :)
June 15, 2012 at 1:52 AM
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