Ethereal & Timeless: Barbara Cole’s Captivating Underwater Photography

Nurturing the Concept

The artist describes her creative process as unconventional, emphasizing that she doesn’t formally research her ideas. Instead, she prefers to let them marinate for months, allowing them to evolve naturally. If an idea shows promise, it blossoms over time, much like a flower, until it becomes an irresistible urge to bring it to life.

Her fascination with historic buildings stems from the rich memories they hold. She admits that it’s somewhat autobiographical, imagining the adventures she and her friends could have exploring a magnificent castle. It’s like living a dream.

Of course, the actual underwater photo shoot came with its share of challenges. Barbara recalls the primary hurdle of choreographing three models to perform simultaneously underwater.

Her initial idea was to have them fully submerge, but the timing proved tricky as one model needed air while another posed. With practice, things improved. Barbara found it helpful to explain how the chosen settings would transform the scene. By directing the models to walk/run, they could easily visualize the room they were in.

Despite the practical obstacles, Barbara remains captivated by underwater photography. She initially believed her foray into this medium in 2003 would be a one-time endeavor to overcome creative challenges. Shooting in an outdoor pool in Toronto, where half the year is snowy and cold, was an attempt to find a solution.

However, she soon realized the vast potential for exploration that underwater photography offered, drawing her back into its depths.