NZPhotographer Issue 5, March 2018

Behind The Shot with Gail Stent
GAIL, CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT
YOURSELF AND YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY
CAREER?
I have always been interested in photography
and did a little darkroom work when I was in
high school. When digital cameras came out I
became really interested as all I needed was a
camera and a computer. I had small children
(twins) at that stage, so took a lot of photos of
them and the dogs in-between being a mother
with a part-time job. My photography really took
off when I joined the North Shore Photographic
Society. I taught myself Photoshop and that was
really exciting as I was able to create composites
which I love doing. I have developed my
photography to such an extent that I now teach
photography, Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom
at Auckland Zoo, NZPhotography Tours and
Mairangi Arts Centre. I also exhibit and sell my
fine art pieces, as well as doing photo shoots for
families and underwater portraits.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED WITH YOUR
UNDERWATER SERIES, AND WHY?
In 2009 I went to the PSNZ National Convention
in Whanganui where I listened to an Australian
guest presenter, Narell Autio. She showed us her
underwater photographs and I was captivated.
Having spent my sporting life underwater
as a synchronised swimmer, this felt like my
domain. I immediately went out and bought
a small Canon G10 camera with housing and
started photographing my daughter and her
teammates. However, it was only really in 2014
that I started creating this type of image.
CAN YOU TAKE US THROUGH SHOOTING
THIS PARTICULAR SHOT?
This shot was taken in an indoor pool. I think we
shot for about 30-45 min - The girls get quite cold
after that. I most often work with girls who are
familiar with the underwater environment and
brief them before we go in about what I want
from them, facial features, body positions etc.
When I work with non-swimmers, I usually go
into shallower water. I work with the model - We
discuss how to make a better image e.g., closer
to the surface, arm positions, etc. I use a mask
and snorkel, so come up for air with the model
and we discuss a repeat or the next move.
WHO IS THE MODEL AND HOW DID YOU
START WORKING TOGETHER?
The model in this image is Katie. I used to coach
her synchronised swimming when she was
younger - She is now a coach herself. She is very
comfortable and relaxed underwater and I love
working with her as she is very flexible and looks
amazing in the water. I also use my daughter
(when she’s in town) and my niece, as well.
WHAT EQUIPMENT ARE YOU USING?
I started off with a Canon G10 and then moved
to a Canon G16. I now use a Sony A7R ii with an
Ikelite housing and a Sony FE 16/35 f4 lens. The
difference in quality is amazing - My images are
now on another level. I tend to use natural light,
but also have a small Lume Cube light that is
waterproof and has amazing power.
I wear a short wetsuit as I get cold really easily,
a weight belt to keep me under (I’m super
buoyant!!), fins (so that I can get back to the
surface!!) and a mask and snorkel. I don’t use full
scuba gear as I need to communicate often with
the model, so come up to the surface to breath
and talk.
ANYTHING ELSE WE SHOULD KNOW?
After the shoot, I always have to post process
in Lightroom as well as Photoshop. Underwater,
everything is blue, so I have to get the White
Balance correct. I prefer doing this in postproduction.
These days I often tend to convert
to B&W or use textures as I find this gives another
dimension to the image.
WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU ONLINE?
www.gailstentphotography.com
www.facebook.com/mifotoshows
www.instagram.com/gailstent
4 NZPhotographer