Bruce Mozert's amazing 1930s underwater photography
Waterproof cameras are no big deal these days, but in the 1930s, Bruce Mozert was the only person in the world who had one. Mozert pioneered underwater photography in Silver Springs, Florida. He had stopped there en route to a shoot in Miami in 1938 when he'd heard that his favorite actor, Johnny Weissmuller, was filming Tarzan there; he ended up staying for the rest of his life (he still lives nearby). Mozert wanted the world to know how amazingly clear the water in Silver Springs was. So he built a giant waterproof housing for his camera, put on some scuba gear, and—for the next 45 years—created memorable underwater scenes of everyday American life. He did fun things like use dry ice to make bubbles and cans of condensed milk to create smoke.
Silver Springs: The Underwater Photography of Bruce Mozert (Amazon)
The Life Aquatic with Bruce Mozert (The Smithsonian)
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Wow, they're just beautiful!
I like the hurdling one.
"Waterproof cameras are no big deal these days, but in the 1930s, Bruce Mozert was the only person in the world who had one."
Underwater photography has been since the mid-19th Century -
"1856 — William Thompson takes first underwater pictures using a camera mounted on a pole.
1893 — Louis Boutan take underwater pictures while diving using a surface supplied hard hat diving gear.
1914 — John Ernest Williamson shot the first-ever underwater motion picture.
1923 — W.H. Longley and Charles Martin takes first underwater colour photos using a magnesium powered flash" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwater_photography
Mermaid
First or not, beautiful photos
#2 I did too, although it made me wonder about what you could simulate underwater - starting off simple - how about a record high jump attempt? I think the backwards arching body would make for a great photo.
Flying carpets, impossible ballet moves, acrobatics, etc. The possibilities are endless!
/me runs off to buy waterproof camera housing and book tickets to Silver Springs.
"Look, Mom, I am NOT drunk, I keep telling you.. I'm just UNDER WATER!"
Hey, I went there as a child. They did wonderful underwater shows. We got to go into an underground room and large picture windows allowed views under water in the springs. Pretty girls would perform lovely shows that seemed to me like ballet.
-Carrie