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Encountering lurking sharks, jellyfish stings, and managing the next breath are not typical concerns during most photoshoots; however, a recent endeavor by photographer and film director Steven Haining involved all these hurdles – and more. Alongside model Ciara Antowski and a team of safety professionals, Haining has surpassed the Guinness Book of World Records for the deepest underwater photoshoot for the third occasion.
The shoot took place at a remarkable depth of 163.38 feet (49.80 m), eclipsing the December 2023 record of 131 feet previously held by Kim Bruneau and Pia Oyarzun, although Haining himself previously held both records for dives in 2021 and September 2023. Haining’s latest record, however, represents an even greater achievement than previous attempts as it occurs below the 130-foot decompression zone.
Diving deeper than 130 feet necessitates additional safety precautions to prevent decompression sickness. Haining clarified that 95% of professional divers are limited to 130 feet due to the heightened risks involved when exceeding that limit. Commonly referred to as “the bends,” decompression sickness leads to a painful accumulation of nitrogen gases due to quick pressure changes.
Structured decompression dives require specific training, which is why both Haining and Antowski dedicated a year to prepare and practice for the dive. To further complicate the dive, the SeaFrog housing employed by Haining for his Fujifilm X-H2S is only rated for depths of 130 feet; therefore, he had to customize it by replacing O-rings and incorporating sponges, which ultimately safeguarded the camera – as well as the 23mm lens – during the 52-minute underwater session.
Aside from the safety instruction, much of the arrangements for the shoot were conducted out of the water, as the photographer, model, and safety crew could solely convey through hand signals once they were submerged and on the deck of the Hydro Atlantic wreck located near Boca Raton, Florida.
The shoot day commenced with a reconnaissance mission of the wreck, where the crew spotted a tiger shark. The team also established a line tied to a buoy at the surface, with supplemental oxygen tanks linked to the line for ascending. Haining then resurfaced and conferred about the shoot with Antowski before the two would need to communicate strictly through hand gestures.
A member of the safety team, Ray Marciano from Isla Divers, devised a motto for the shoot: if three issues arose, they would attempt again on another day – and while the photographer had an encounter with a jellyfish on the way down, the team arrived at the wreck safely without hitting that three-strike limit. Antowski first entered the water with two safety divers, followed by Haining and two more members of the safety crew. However, as Haining began his first descent, his tank detached from a strap, and while Haining tried to retrieve it, he was stung by a jellyfish.
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Fortunately, the remainder of the session proceeded seamlessly, stated Haining. In addition to the modified casing around the X-H2S, Haining utilized Light&Motion strobe and video illumination, as well as cave lamps attached to other divers to illuminate the area. The lighting and shipwreck collaborated with the water’s influence on the model’s outfit and hair to produce a collection of images that exuded an ethereal essence.
“As a portrait photographer who is well-established in my field and assured with illumination and direction, I became enamored with underwater portraiture because it presents numerous challenges,” Haining remarked. “The aesthetics and artistic direction must be orchestrated at the surface as communication at depth is hindered by restricted visibility, a lack of verbal communication, and hand signals can only convey limited information; Flashes can’t be remotely activated underwater, necessitating the use of constant lighting and fiber optics. Warm hues vanish the deeper you descend, thus you require off-camera lighting to restore those colors.”
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The photoshoot necessitated a sizable crew for security both in the water and aboard a rescue vessel, with Wayne Fryman serving as the technical and safety consultant. “When it comes to individuals who are new to underwater experiences, always remember that the well-being of the team is paramount,” Haining stated. “At no time would my crew and I engage in anything we weren’t 100% certain would be secure.”
The entire photoshoot lasted 52 minutes, with 15 minutes allocated at the record depth. A 16-minute decompression halt was mandatory while ascending to the surface safely.
What does Haining plan to pursue next following the completion of the world record shoot? “Sometimes, diving is an experience that’s better taken in with your own eyes rather than through a camera lens,” Haining remarked. “Once this record is set, I’ll spend the following month with nothing except a GoPro in my pocket on numerous dives to genuinely experience and savor those moments.”
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