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Underwater Photography Masters – Featuring Zena Holloway
There are good underwater photographers, and there are exceptional ones.
This feature is dedicated to the amazing artist – Zena Holloway, one of the world’s leading underwater fashion photographers.
About Zena
Zena Holloway is a self taught artist and director specialising in underwater photography and working with the likes of GQ and the Financial Times. Holloway’s style deviates from the stereotypical factualness associated with underwater photography. There is an essence of reverie imbued in her photos. Where does she get the inspiration for this surreal quality? “The water acts as a blank canvas,” she replies. “What the camera might capture in reality is taken back a step and becomes more like a painting.”
As a fine art photographer Holloway has achieved international success and is revered for her ability to create truly magical photographs.
For well over a decade she has been commissioned widely for both advertising and editorials; including How to Spend it, 125, Tatler, Observer Magazine, Dazed & Confused, Nike, Umbro, Radox, Kylie Minogue, Sony, Speedo, Epson, Herbal Essences, National Geographic, Greenpeace and Jacuzzi.
Holloway lives in London with her husband and their three young children.
Meet Zena
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We asked Zena a few questions we were curious about! Here’s what she had to say:
– What gear do you use for your work?
“I use a Canon 1DS mark II, I also have a 1DC which is really useful for the moving image jobs.
Both fit very neatly into Seacam housings and I use Ikelite flash units because they’re the most robust I’ve come across.”
– Do you think high end camera gear is necessary to create beautiful photos?
“No not at all but it gives you the flexibility to capture details that some of the cheaper equipment can’t do. I’ve seen the most stunning soft focus and blurred underwater photography which can be equally as interesting as the perfectly composed and pin sharp shots.”
– What’s your favourite lens for underwater work?
“It depends what I’m shooting but if it’s people I try not to shoot too wide otherwise there’s too much distortion. For a normal fashion shot I usually use a 24mm or a 35mm lens if the water is really clear.”
– Which software do you use for post processing, and why do you prefer it over others?
“I use Capture One Pro 8 for most of the commercial shoots I do. It’s got an amazing array of functions – so much so that I don’t think I know even half of them. If I’m looking for a quick edit/process I usually run it through Bridge CS6 which requires much less know how.”
– To get the best out of an UW model, what’s the best advice you can give them when briefing before the shoot?
“Everyone is different and each circumstance requires a different approach so that’s a tricky question. I suppose the most obvious issue is to make sure that the weighting is right and to get the model to relax as much as possible. Models always need a bit of time to adjust, they’re often nervous and the photographer needs to be patient to let them find the rhythm. After that you can give the instructions to help them find the right expressions and movements for the shot.”
Master Class with Zena Holloway 2017
On April 2017 we are hosting Zena for a first time ever, UW photography workshop!
The Master Class will be a 3-day workshop with Zena, followed by 3 more days of diving and UW photography in the beautiful waters of the Caribbeans. During the workshop Zena will share her vast experience she has accumulated throughout her career, helping participants start out or improve their own UW fashion photography, develop a personal style and create stunning images.
UPDATE: The 2017 workshop is full.
To receive more info on future workshops, leave your email here:
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Zena’s Work
For more amazing work by Zena Holloway, visit her website and spend an hour on the beautiful work she has done over the years.
Her photos are truly inspiring.
Visit his personal portfolio at www.ranmorphoto.com.
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