Ken Kiefer: Pool Shots
Very few underwater photographers are lucky enough to live near some critter-filled clear saltwater. Those few are hated by all the rest of us. Kidding, not kidding!
For the majority of us, a trip is involved to get us near the reefs, animals, or backdrops that populate our dreams and inspire us to hone our craft as we work to create the images we desire.
None of these images were created in Caribbean waters, crystal clear cenotes, or shark-filled waters. These were all shot in a swimming pool; with most in my 4-foot-deep backyard volleyball pool.
Shooting in a swimming pool began as basically my school. It has always been a way to test gear, experiment, and really work on all aspects of underwater photography without taking up any of the valuable underwater trip time. Over the years, swimming pool shoots have grown into a fun part of our creative endeavors.
We find inspiration all over the place… from movies and characters to rollers skates or other inanimate objects that spark an idea. Pools allow for a wide variety of experimentation with lighting, backdrops, and give you more control than mother nature will ever allow.
Our basic workflow starts with an idea or vision of an image and then proceeds with the steps and needs to possibly create what we have envisioned. We don’t always create our vision, but every time that the gear is assembled, and theories tested, we become better and more knowledgeable. Doing these shoots add tools to our repertoire that can be used when an opportunity with similar conditions presents itself in the future, in the pool, or out in the wild.
Please check out Ken’s website for more.
Spider-Man's amazingness doesn't stop when he heads underwater.
Elite athlete doing butterfly in black and white.
Deep jazz notes, plunging backward with a black backdrop - this became his album cover.
Underwater wakeboard athlete.
Impromptu affection; model's husband got the urge to kiss his wife during a break and I captured the moment.
Splash dance, had to both sit underwater for over 45 seconds to allow all ripples to dissipate while the model had water in her sinuses the entire time.
Underwater roller skater.
Underwater maternity couple shot on a black backdrop., double the models, double the effort to achieve certain looks.
Underwater paddleboard, I used a person on top of the board to sink the board a bit and provide a little stability.
Diving through a frame on the surface of the water with a black backdrop.
Harley Quinn - bringing the comic books to life underwater cosplay.
Silhouette image created by using BigBlue light on the pool steps along with a colored gel.
Shot in the dark of night using extra Ikelite strobes along with remote triggers to blow out the white pool plaster in the background.
Black backdrop to feature the Sherwood mask.
Created during the beginning of the covid lockdown, this image portrays our feelings of restraint and confusion, backlighting from BigBlue lights.
High key in the pool to highlight the Ikelite housing with the model.
An underwater Christmas scene.
Ikelite dichroic filters over the strobes with glow paint and a black backdrop.
Checkerboard background for visuals with old school phone.
Huge checkerboard background for an underwater bike ride.
Using Ikelite dichroic filters over the strobes to create an underwater blacklight glow.
A swimmer doing a flip turn at full speed.