Natalie L Gibb: Shadows and Stalactites
I was a cave diver and explorer long before I ever held a camera underwater. I shot cheesy GoPro videos, but never considered a real camera until my dear friend Luca loaned me his Sony A7S and told me to try it. He must have seen something that I didn’t because that first video dive was a joyous revelation. Filming with a camera able to see the cave the way I saw it, with subtle shadows and defined darkness, changed everything for me.
A videographer at heart, I originally had no interest in photography. I started shooting photos using video lights as studies for cave video lighting but soon realized that some of my photos could stand on their own. I still use video lights in my photographs as I like the softness and subtlety of using just enough light to show the cave. Caves are, in the end, quite dark, and I find that video lights allow me to set a scene and move through it. I use no on-board lights, and prefer to lurk in the shadows with that same Sony A7S, voyeuristically capturing the landscapes I love so much.
I have no formal training and do not take photos on land. Lacking a predetermined concept of what I “should” do has helped me to be creative and show the caves how I see them as a cave diver and explorer. However, several people have definitely influenced my photography.
Jill Heinerth told me my photos looked like I was setting up stage lighting, having her define that helped me to understand my style and what I want out of my images. She was right! Ping Fan introduced me to diffused video lights with high CRI indexes, thereby ruining my life and my finances – I saw no point of ever shooting images again until I purchased Keldan video lights. He was also right. Wetpixel’s own Adam Hanlon has mentored me beyond all expectations, including a strongly worded phone call last year, during which he explained to me I had to stop shooting auto, and actually adjust the aperture and ISO. First I had heard of those things. My models have all been extremely forgiving as the listen to me yell at myself underwater on each photoshoot. As cave photography is never a one-person endeavor, these photos would not be possible without their patience. Finally, Luca deFranco, who put that camera in my hands a few years ago, I will never be able to define how you changed my world.
While maybe not the most technically excellent images, I hope you enjoy a window to the underground world the way I see it, silt and dirt, twisting tunnels, and mystery.
Three divers float in a line, with video lights placed in front and behind the divers to show the cave. The models are also carrying their own lights to illuminate their bodies.
Diver Stephanie Lee hovers between two massive columns at Cenote Nai Tucha. Video lights were placed behind each column, with weaker lights behind the photographer.
Photographing another photographer is a delight! Wreck and cave photographer Jeff Lindsay let me take a turn at Cenote String of Pearls.
Reflections scatter light and illuminate Alex Buess at Santuario de los Guerreros.
Diver Rory O'Keefe descends though 70-meter tall light beams at Cenote Xkail, a sinkhole in Yucatan State.
Diver Rick Dobbins illuminates what I call the Jabba the Hut formation at Cenote Nai Tucha. This photo looks simple, but took five video lights and about thirty minutes to set up.
Divers Nick, Nik, and Troy turn a corner at Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich. Each divers holds his own video light to illuminate his face.
Diver Hana Cho patiently sat in this position for at least 30 minutes while I moved seven video lights around to get this shot at Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich.
Natural light was all that was needed to illuminate these massive formations and Rory O'Keefe at Cenote Xkail, a sinkhole in the State of Yucatan
A single light behind diver Hana Cho and her cave light were used to create this shot in a tunnel at Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich.
Diver Hana Cho floats above the halocline at Cenote Lunas y Sombras. The halocline is the interface of fresh and salt water, and it looks like an underwater lake.
My favorite photo yet! Hana Cho floats beneath delicate soda straw formations at Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich.
Diver Hana Cho swims beneath the surface of Cenote Lunas y Sombras. Calcite from the water creates a thin crust on the surface, and her exhaled bubbles mark her path.
Bre Kramer slides through a tight restriction at Cenote Caterpillar.
A light placed behind a conveniently located column create a sunburst effect for diver Bre Kramer at Cenote Caterpillar.
Glenn Farquhar's strong primary light punches into the darkness, illuminating sediment in the water and giving a sense of depth to this photo from Cenote Minotauro.
Nicholas White floats in front of a single video light, which adds depth to this canyon shot at Cenote Coop One.
Diver Alex K.S. Fraser floats in front of a single video light at Nohoch Nah Chich. Bubbles on the cave ceiling create a mirror effect.
Lights placed behind the columns create window into another world with Joe Fellows at Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich.