Have you ever noticed the impact the human element adds to an underwater image? On page 34 of the August Sport Diver IMAGES column, Jason & Eric provide you with insight and tips on shooting with models. Here in the “Behind the Lens” addition to the IMAGES column, we ask Erwin Filius, veteran Wakatobi dive guide, and one of Jason’s regular dive models, to provide us with some tips for models and photographers working with them.

SD: How long have you been diving? 

Erwin: SINCE 1999

 SD: What are the top diving skills that a good model should possess?

Erwin: THE MOST IMPORTANT SKILL IS GOOD BOUYANCY CONTROL, FOR SURE.  LEARN TO CONTROL YOUR BREATHING.  BUBBLES IN THE SHOT NORMALLY DON'T WORK TOO WELL.  YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE DIVE PLAN AS WELL.  YOU WILL BE MOVING AROUND A LOT, SO KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR GAUGES.   REMEMBER, YOU ARE A DIVER FIRST, MODEL SECOND.  DON'T HURT YOURSELF!  

SD: Is there anything about the photographer that makes it easier or harder to be a model and get good results? 

Erwin: IF THE PHOTOGRAPHER CAN SET UP HIS/HER CAMERA AND STROBES BEFORE YOU MOVE INTO POSSITION, IT CERTAINLY MAKES IT EASIER TO STAY IN THE GOOD SPOT, ESPICIALLY IF THERE IS A CURRENT PRESENT!  THE PHOTOG. MUST USE GOOD, CLEAR SIGNALS THAT THE MODEL CAN UNDERSTAND.  COMMUNICATION IS IMPORTANT. 

SD: Do you enjoy modeling for photographers? And Why? 

Erwin:  ITS GREAT FUN, ESPECIALLY IF THE PHOTOGRAPHER IS GETTING GOOD RESULTS.   IT’S A TEAM EFFORT, AND I LIKE TO HELP GOOD PHOTOGS GET THE SHOT.  IT’S SATISFYING. 

SD: Any other words of wisdom for others who are trying to model for their photographer friends/husbands/wives? 

Erwin:  YOU NEED TO TRY TO SEE THINGS FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHER’S POINT OF VIEW.  IF YOU ARE CLOSE, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO USE THE REFLECTION IN THE DOME TO GET YOUR POSITION, OTHERWISE, TRY TO VISUALISE.  MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT THE PHOTOGRAPHER WANTS BEFORE THE DIVE, ESTABLISH WHAT HAND SIGNALS YOU WILL USE, TALK ABOUT THE SHOT ETC.  THAT SAVES A LOT OF TIME, AND TIME, AFTERALL IS A PRECIOUS COMODITY WHEN DIVING.

 [above (top): Foreground: Wendy Heller, Background: Erwin Filius Photo: Jason Heller / (Second photo) Wendy Heller, Photo: Jason Heller]  

You can see more of Wendy and Erwin in Jason Heller’s galleries at www.JasonHeller.com

What Are Your Tips? 

Roger Horrocks from South Africa sent us these great tips for shooting with models:

• Get a dedicated model for the shoot, even if you have to pay for their dive. Hoping you can use one of the other divers is unrealistic. Considering the cost and the relatively short amount of time one has with animals like sharks for example, paying for a model’s time is worth it.
• Put effort into choosing a model who looks good underwater, as in the right type of body shape as well in the type and color of the equipment they use. This you have full control over - don't be lazy and leave this to fate!
• Prep your model as to the type of shots you want to get, and how you want them to position themselves
• Don't be scarred when shooting wide angle to get in really close to your models
• If you are diving with another photographer, take turns to model for each other, rather than competing for the same shot
• Learn how to freedive, it gives you far more flexibility when shooting large pelagics, and use freedivers as models, they look far more graceful than scuba divers.

 Emilio Bernabe writes: “I like to have the model look thru a viewfinder, sometimes my 15 mm viewfinder only with out the Nikonos on it to get an idea how the image can appear. Also have some type of communication to direct her to get closer, farther, horizontal or vertical in frame. I will also show model image on camera if shooting digital so that she would again get the idea if she should be closer or change position in frame.Taking images with a model is truly a team effort to get the best results.”                          

Michael King adds: “Work with your model above the surface and make the plans to shoot on land.  Actually rehearse it a little on the surface without any words ... only hand signals.  That way when she gives you the puzzled look you can work out a better signal.  And moveover when I give the puzzled look she can do the same!  With a half an hour or so on the surface can make the underwater experience enjoyable and fun and go much smoother.” 

Larry Oberlander recommends getting your spouse or significant other interested in diving and modeling for you. “When Millie and I first got married she really had no interest in diving at all. Perhaps it was being subjected to my slide-shows or maybe the realization that if we were going to spend any time together on vacation that she would give it a try.

After a bumpy start she has become an accomplished diver and excellent U/W model and, much the same as in our terrestrial lives, we anticipate and automatically react to each other underwater. We have accomplished a lot together and this year we took first place in the wide-angle category in the UW Images contest.”

 ”My favored model is my wife who is generally regarded by all who know us both as a saint. We have now got a set of hand signals we both use (and understand) and hopefully my model will comply and get in position long enough. I did offer to switch model for a younger more shapely and compliant version, but this was....frowned upon. The thing about using a spouse as a model is the argument is never over once the equipment is dry”, says Arun Madisetti. 

Damien Siviero “I’ve no great model shooting experience, though last week in the Solomons I found shooting behind the Japanese photos pros worked well. They had a famous Japanese model with them, so I just snuck in behind on a few select dives and they didn’t seem to mind. So I guess my quote is, “if you don’t have your own, steel someone else’s”!”

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