You can get great shots everywhere: on the islands, on a yacht, on the water, in mid-water, under the yacht, at depth, using an alternative breathing source in the form of a two-meter octopus, in a monofin and a mermaid tail... And so on, until your imagination runs out, and I hope this will not happen soon!
But first things first. Ten years ago, when I started diving, I immediately wanted to be captured on camera underwater. Like any girl, I dreamed of a beautiful underwater picture. We tried shooting with a point-and-shoot camera, but the result was not impressive.
Once, at a master class on underwater photography by Alexey Zaitsev, the maestro told me that I looked much better on the other side of the lens! Constant training in the pool in freediving and underwater posing began. At the same time, as part of regular trips to diving safaris, I received an instructor certificate. An old dream was starting to become a reality!
Since January 2017, I began organizing my diving safaris to the Maldives, with an emphasis on photos with a model underwater and large animals, and inviting professional photographers, as well as girls dreaming of becoming underwater models. A professional photographer, a good friend and a wonderful person Oleg Vorotnikov joined my idea to organize unusual safaris. Oleg and I repeatedly conducted photo shoots in various pools, so we understood each other without words, which is important underwater. On Maldivian safaris, by trial and error, and also taking into account the experience of foreign colleagues, we developed our own system of underwater modeling. Let's start with the simplest - shooting on exhalation, at a shallow depth. Weights are absolutely not required for this, and this gives additional freedom in choosing an image for shooting. You can use thin light dresses and swimsuits.
Once, at a master class on underwater photography by Alexey Zaitsev, the maestro told me that I looked much better on the other side of the lens! Constant training in the pool in freediving and underwater posing began. At the same time, as part of regular trips to diving safaris, I received an instructor certificate. An old dream was starting to become a reality!
Since January 2017, I began organizing my diving safaris to the Maldives, with an emphasis on photos with a model underwater and large animals, and inviting professional photographers, as well as girls dreaming of becoming underwater models. A professional photographer, a good friend and a wonderful person Oleg Vorotnikov joined my idea to organize unusual safaris. Oleg and I repeatedly conducted photo shoots in various pools, so we understood each other without words, which is important underwater. On Maldivian safaris, by trial and error, and also taking into account the experience of foreign colleagues, we developed our own system of underwater modeling. Let's start with the simplest - shooting on exhalation, at a shallow depth. Weights are absolutely not required for this, and this gives additional freedom in choosing an image for shooting. You can use thin light dresses and swimsuits.
We do such photo sessions directly from the boat, or on landings on islands between dives. Shooting with a monofin primarily allows you to take a deep breath and dive deeper. The thing is that at a close angle, I cannot allow myself to take a full breath, otherwise the emotions will seem unnatural, and the neck will be swollen. In a monofin, the silhouette surrounded by underwater creatures, such as sharks, is important.
Approximately the same thing happens with a mermaid tail, with the exception that the mask does not match this image, the emotions in the picture are important and as a result, the breath has to be incomplete.
Approximately the same thing happens with a mermaid tail, with the exception that the mask does not match this image, the emotions in the picture are important and as a result, the breath has to be incomplete.
Sharks are a whole other story! Every time we exploit them to the fullest for creative purposes. Not far from the island of Alimat, where the top dive site Alimat House Reef is located, we set up a safari boat closer and lure the sharks with a spotlight, and, let's face it, with pieces of fish. This makes it possible to get shots of them at a fairly close distance.
The most difficult level of shooting is at depth. In order to look good from all sides and use thin dresses, given that the weight belt does not go with them, I am fixed to a transparent fishing line to a dead coral. I have to breathe from a two-meter octopus, which my assistant gives me from time to time.
In November 2017, during night shooting with sharks on Alimat, the fishing line broke 3 times due to unexpectedly strong currents. The action took place at a depth of 17 meters. In the end, Oleg Vorotnikov called it quits. The filming didn't work out, but a pretty funny backstage remained as a memory. In November 2018, we tried using a monofin on this site. In my opinion, it turned out pretty good!
The most difficult level of shooting is at depth. In order to look good from all sides and use thin dresses, given that the weight belt does not go with them, I am fixed to a transparent fishing line to a dead coral. I have to breathe from a two-meter octopus, which my assistant gives me from time to time.
In November 2017, during night shooting with sharks on Alimat, the fishing line broke 3 times due to unexpectedly strong currents. The action took place at a depth of 17 meters. In the end, Oleg Vorotnikov called it quits. The filming didn't work out, but a pretty funny backstage remained as a memory. In November 2018, we tried using a monofin on this site. In my opinion, it turned out pretty good!
However, sharks are not the only thing on the planet. There are many places in the Maldives where you can have photo sessions with schools of all kinds of fish. One of them is Kuda ra tilla in the southern Ari Atoll. It is a real paradise with an incredible number of Kashmiri snappers. This time we were shooting at a depth of 17 meters. Oleg found a shooting area surrounded by fabulous grottoes, magnificent soft and hard corals... and off we went! Initially, I dived in a dress and scuba gear, having reached the bottom, I gave the scuba gear, fins and mask to my assistant (part-time husband) and, as always, put on shoes, one of which was previously tied to a dead coral. An hour later, Oleg gave the signal to finish, and I had to change again. I was pleased with the result - the snappers are very photogenic!
Unfortunately, not all girls can pose correctly for the camera, despite the fact that a safari in the Maldives provides all the opportunities for this. Training is necessary. First of all, work on facial expressions, the correct positioning of hands, feet, the ability to understand the photographer and fit beautifully into the composition of the frame.
Unfortunately, not all girls can pose correctly for the camera, despite the fact that a safari in the Maldives provides all the opportunities for this. Training is necessary. First of all, work on facial expressions, the correct positioning of hands, feet, the ability to understand the photographer and fit beautifully into the composition of the frame.
