The Shot Chat | II. Why Didn’t This Shot Do Better?

Let The Shot Chat Begin…

Grant Thomas: “I chose this image because I really like it and always thought it might do well in a competition but it never did. So impart some of your harsh wisdom upon me please”

Shane Gross: “I like it, it works. The light pouring through the trees is stunning. The freediver is in perfect position. We connect to the topside world through a wonderful Snell’s window. It makes me want to be there. Right now! I think this would be useful in advertising or a story about the place. Could be a good stock image as well. I think for underwater competitions it's going to be up against a similar composition, but with a crocodile or other charismatic mega fauna that the judges will love as opposed to a human where you can tell them where to be and when. I could see it being successful in a non-underwater competition if they have an action or sport category or something like that. It's a successful picture, but isn't going to blow underwater judges away in 2020.”

Henley Spiers: “Impressive analysis Shane, and much like that Leo Di Caprio scene in 'Catch me if you Can': I concur.

My first impression of this image was "Wow, that's beautiful, and I wish I was there." The perfectly circular upward view created by snell's window, fringed by the treeline, with sun rays bursting through...The person swimming in a body of water with such clarity you'd think they were flying through the sky...The colour palette...perfect exposure...It's a really beautiful scene and photograph. I'd say it's pretty much flawless actually. You have come face to face with beauty, and captured it perfectly - finding the right angle and adding the model to the scene. I think that's the most rewarding feeling for us photographers: when we see something amazing and are also able to do it justice through our camera lens. I can't think of anything you could have done to improve on this shot, so well played (and well done for freediving down and shooting upwards without any bubbles or tremors in the water).

It's interesting what you shared about competitions...that's a feeling I can certainly empathise with. The thing is, as Shane said, of all the possible avenues for this stunning image, I'd say competitions would be the least fruitful. I see this as the highest form of tourism board campaign image, or a possible cover shot...It has wow factor but not of the kind which tends to do well in competitions. Even as I revisit this scene now, looking at this image soothes and relaxes me. Peaceful images of nature can do well in competitions, but once a human element is added, successful competition shots tend to be more dynamic, rather than soothing. As Shane also mentioned, there could still be competitive avenues for it outside pure underwater photography competitions, but I wouldn't get too caught up on that. I think for this image to live its fullest life it needs to be out there in other forms - editorial, commercial...”

Anita Kainrath: “Here are my thoughts .. I love the colors and how the light is shining through the trees. You've captured the peaceful and quiet atmosphere perfectly. I wish I could be there right now! Whenever I look at your picture my focus wanders from the free diver to the sun rays and then my eyes stay there. If we could exchange the person with an animal though (for example a croc) I think I would first look at the creature, then at the beautiful sun rays and then my eyes would go back to the creature's silhouette. Maybe I'm just more interested in animals than in humans haha. The image composition is perfect.. I love the natural frame by the circle of trees. Well done! I agree that it would be a great image to promote tourism or in any form of advertisement for outdoor activities.”

Jade Hoksbergen: “I love the colours in this image, Grant -- the green and blue hues suggests tranquility, and the sun rays provides that sense of warmth. There is also a lot of depth to the image, with all the various "layers" that comprises it - the water, the land, the sky. The freediver looks almost as if she is soaring through the sky. As it is, I think it is a beautiful image - perfect for the purposes of promoting tourism. If we wanted this image to work for competitions, as mentioned previously, perhaps we would need to see a marine creature replace the human freediver, or alternatively, to have a marine creature on the bottom right corner of the frame facing the left - to create that feeling of a human-and-animal connection; co-existing and sharing a peaceful scene. I understand that all this is easier said than done... to have all those elements line up nicely for a good and strong composition, but I suppose that's what makes a winning shot..”

Grant Thomas: “Thanks for the feedback guys! I completely agree with everything you've said especially regarding the entry into competitions. As Shane mentioned about having the human element instead of an animal of sorts I think definitely acts against it! And thanks Henley for the very kind words - Doing justice to the places/subjects i photograph has always been a priority for me. This was a tough image to capture, not just artistically but physically as well, due to the depth/breath hold and making sure not to not to disturb any substrate, while minimising any bubbles etc... I feel thats why I have such an attachment to the image as it's not just about how it looks in the end but also the effort that went into it.”