This was definitely one of the most ambitious shoots I have done to date. Here is a 40 second video that quickly illustrates how Card Sharks was created. The video is a slideshow of approximately 400 images, taken by me, strung together into a slideshow Card Sharks Behind the Scenes tiny. <–Click here for video
If that link doesn’t work, you can view it on YouTube http://youtu.be/Yrlt-elhgU0
I’m also including a visual walk-thru of the shoot with narration that explains a few additional points and some lessons learned.
Note: This image is FOR SALE in a 16″ x 20″ print. $50 +shipping for standard print, $100 + shipping for a Giclee canvas wrap. Questions or orders can be directed to me or any of the models. Craig@ CraigGum.com
I definitely DO NOT recommend doing this type of shoot without the training and supervision by a certified SCUBA instructor. It is entirely possible to get an air embolism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_embolism in even just 9 feet of water. Safety was our primary concern during this entire shoot. Stephen was never more than a reach away from the models at any time and we had additional support by Dive Master Richard Riggs. I am in debt to both of these men. None of this would have happened without them.
A round of applause is also due to the models. Breathing underwater and purging a regulator is not something that comes naturally and can be quite terrifying. There were several moments where the shoot could have come to a complete halt due to apprehension and the understandable fear of doing a shot like this. We struggled thru and managed to get fantastic images of each of them !
Last but not least thank you to our hosts Marianne and Jason Thomas, the set guys, and James for the excellent BTS pictures seen below.
Stephen, a certified scuba instructor, holds class poolside to go over the details of breathing from a regulator underwater
That’s a picture of me and a small portion of the equipment used in this shoot
Brian, Wesley, Andy, and myself are sinking and suspending clothing that is visible in the final image
The models and their outfits, what little they did wear.
Stephen and myself going over underwater communication during the shoot
- Just a cool BTS shot
Taylor getting ready for Scuba practice
Laura’s turn
Ami trying to stay warm (did I mention it was very cold and rainy that day?)
Brandy gathering up the clothes that have already been shot underewater
Another practice shot of Laura
The set as seen from above
There I am taking shots of the set
ONE DOWN!
Taylor getting some words of encouragement from Kinsey
Time for a smoke break
Ami’s practice
Halfway done. This is what I looked like when I realized that we just might pull this off.
yea, umm, hell no.
Full view of me shooting Ami, you can see where Stephen was for regulator hand back and safety
- Ami getting escorted back to the surface
Brandy’s turn
Water came out of her entire face! lol
Group shot
so i just had a question… was the final work all done in one shot then… or was each participant shot individually and then superimposed together for the final product?
They were all shot individually. Even the clothing and the set was shot separately.
Your imagination never ceases to amaze me Craig. Very creative and what a mind boggling concept! I can only imagine all the work that went into this shoot but you make it look fun and easy. If the lot of you is smiling, I can’t really say it looks all that laborious.
Thanks Donn! It was a lot of fun. I carried a lot of stress thru that day. Might not show it but when I have that many people show up for a photo-shoot I start to get real concerned that the final product won’t be worth their effort.