MANTA RAY
Our friend Ron Isbell took us to the northern side of Lady Musgrave Island. Perfect conditions but with a lot of dead plankton or coral spawn on the surface. It must be good food for manta rays. There was a line of them swimming in rotation over perhaps one kilometer there and back.
How many? A dozen – maybe as many as twenty.
What makes a good underwater model? Christine Danaher is one of the best. A diminutive figure is a good start although some scuba tanks can appear huge. We have an extensive collection of Christine D. pictures and some excellent underwater 16mm film footage.
A loving attitude toward animals, especially underwater is another good point. This helps to eliminate – or will eliminate fear.
A disposition that accepts certain discomforts – wet hair, cold water, rough sea and all the rest requires a tough girl.
The new additions to the world of underwater modeling are breath-hold free divers. Nadine Werner (Germany) for example is reported to hold her breath while swimming/diving for a remarkable four minutes.
There is a stunning blonde Russian actress, still in her twenties who set a world depth record for free diving some years ago. Check You Tube videos under “mermaids” for a host of lovelies with good lungs.
My mistake, this looks like Christine Danaher but is one of the pictures by our good friend (the late) Irvin Rockman, taken in New Guinea, featuring model Kirtley Leigh Paine. I should have spotted the difference with her wet suit. It’s a fine picture – but not mine!! The following picture is:
I am the underwater dive model featured in Irvin’s picture above. He was a great, colorful character and I loved getting to know him and diving with him. They don’t make divers like they used to! So its nice to see his pic posted here as a memory and legacy of Irvin’s career and underwater adventures.
I am a dive model since 2004 for UW photographer Bob Halstead. I think you know him, but you can check out lots of our photo collaborations as model/photographer on his new website-http:// http://www.halsteaddiving-dot-com
If you are interested in seeing more or even posting more pics here, I would be happy to email you a portfolio of images we did for a GBR promotion campaign. Just send me your contact details-thanks!
I absolutely love the underwater modelling, and take note of what you post here as the requirements to become a successful model under the sea. I agree with all you say, and also note that when we shoot images, we like to think of the relationship as a quartet of elements, all which must come together simultaneously to create that perfect image and give the viewer some sense of the wow factor.
These 4 elements are:
1. the skill, technique and vision of the photographer, both as a diver and photographer,
2. The technique, diving skill, positioning, cooperation, and quick assessment of a good shot and understanding of what the photographer wants by the model,
3. The critter/subject being photographed (but not harassing the animals in any way or moving subjects) and
4. The elements- i.e. currents, viz, accessibility of shot, depth, etc…
When this quartet comes together, the image is magic, or so we hope! I am passionate about the underwater realm and modelling there, and passionate to get beautiful images- art. I learn something on every dive!
In my land-life, I am a concert solo violinist. You can see/hear/watch me perform on my website!
http://www.paradiseconcerts-dot-com
Best Regards and maybe one day our paths will cross underwater!
Cheers
Leigh