Cenote Kaleidoscope – 120x80cm

This image was quite spontaneous. Underwater, I typically focus on macro photography, but a trip to Mexico shifted my perspective. I’d never worked with a model before, either. This shot was taken at Cenote Jardin del Eden (Garden of Eden), right after a hurricane swept through the area. The heavy rain and runoff had altered many of the cenotes, changing the water’s colour due to algal blooms mixed with tannic acid. Some tourists were disappointed, grumbling that the cenotes weren’t their usual crystal-clear selves. As we entered the cenote, the scene began as a wide, open pool, but soon transitioned into the cavern zone. It was dark, but there was always a hint of light somewhere in the distance. After taking a turn, the cavern opened up, and we were met with an extraordinary light display. The interplay of green algae, tannic acid, and early morning light filtering through the mangroves created a vivid, dynamic spectrum. My first few shots framed the scene well, but something was missing. I hadn’t prepped my guide, Albert, to model for me, and we hadn’t established any specific hand signals for posing. But with a bit of improvised gesturing, he understood what I needed—he swam through the beams of light. Shooting with a wide-angle rectilinear lens behind a dome port can be tricky; edge distortion is a common issue. But in this case, I think I managed it as well as I could’ve hoped. The edges are softened by the cavern’s darkness, naturally drawing the eye toward Albert and the striking sunbeams filtering through the yellow-green hue. Even his bubbles are subtly hidden in the shadows above. In the end, I made the most of the equipment I had, the ad-hoc signals, and the timing, while ignoring the complaints about the water’s clarity. There’s always opportunity in adversity