Brad Walls, a photographer from the United States, released “Water Geomaids”, a collection of photographs of synchronized swimmers taken from above. The images give a unique and intimate perspective on the sport of swimming.
Walls noticed that there was a dearth of synchronized swimming photographs on the market. He decided to create his own aerial photography to capture both the synchronicity as well as the symmetry created by the sport. Walls says he was surprised by the lack of images that captured the shapes and patterns created by synchronized swimming.
Walls, an Australian photographer, has built a career capturing diving, gymnastics and tennis, as well as ballet. His work is known around the globe. Walls knew that synchronized swimming would fit perfectly with his aesthetic, and he had all the tools he needed to capture the stunning images you see here.
Katrina Ann was a former swimmer and choreographer of a Sydney synchronized swim team. Ann says that “artistic swimmers work hard every day to achieve perfection.” Brad’s creativity, eye for details, and perspective allowed us to show off our hard work, which is often overlooked by the naked eye.
Walls began his creative process by pinning ideas from a variety of artistic sports, not just synchronized swim. He was inspired to create geometric shapes that he wanted incorporated into the pool. Walls and Ann used the drawings to create the photographs.
Walls says that when working with Katrina the goal was to select static positions out of routines which build repetitions in form and geometric sequences. The majority of the shooting, about 80%, was meticulously planned. Only 20% was impromptu. There will always be a frame that is unplanned but looks amazing and could not possibly have been planned. “That is the essence of art.”
The article was first published in AQUA Magazine, the leading resource for pool and spa retailers, builders, and service professionals. All industry professionals can subscribe to the print edition of AQUA Magazine for free. Subscribe by clicking here.
