Surfacing
For many years I have been an avid sea swimmer and have a huge respect for the transformative and powerful nature of the ocean which has led me to explore this through the medium of photography.
As an islander, the sea is a constant companion and many individuals further this connection through sea swimming. In this series of works I have attempted to capture and convey through my own personal experience the essence of this activity.
I find the liminal space which lies between water and air intriguing, and I wanted to take photos which combined images above and below the water, to encompass the transitional nature of sea swimming and give the viewers a unique perspective experiencing both at once.
The creative decision to use traditional film over digital photography was both a stylistic and practical one. Film slowed down my creative thinking allowing me to be present in the moment. This allowed me to form a greater connection with the sea whilst taking the photo and made for more considered images. I also found that the film images had a raw and dreamy quality that added a deeper emotional layer that digital was unable to capture.
My decision to use colour film stemmed from a desire to immerse the viewer in the beauty of the ocean and relate to the shared visual experience of open water swimming.
