Ocean Art 2025 Stories behind the Image – Bruce Campbell

Bruce Campbell won 1st Place for the Underwater Fashion with his image “Angel Flying over Water”, as well as an Honorable Mention for the image “Mermaid’s Repose”.

 

Story Behind the Images

Both Angel Flying and Mermaid’s Repose – Just Breathe were created through what I can only describe as an underwater dance between model and photographer. In each case, we worked on a single breath at a time, coordinating movement, timing, and expression in a space where every motion is slowed, resisted, and reshaped by water. Communication becomes nonverbal and intuitive, and success depends on trust, preparation, and a shared sense of rhythm.

Angel Flying was photographed with a Nikon Z8 and a 16–35mm lens behind a Zen dome. The wide perspective allowed me to stay close while still capturing the full sweep of the model’s costume as it moved like wings in the water. We focused on body lines and fabric behavior, waiting for the moment when the material lifted and opened while her pose remained strong yet serene. That alignment — pose, fabric, buoyancy, and light — lasted only an instant, but it created the illusion of effortless flight beneath the surface.

Mermaid’s Repose – Just Breathe was also captured with a Nikon Z8, this time using a 24–50mm lens behind a Nauticam wet lens. This setup allowed for a slightly more intimate perspective while still preserving a sense of environment. Unlike the dynamic energy of Angel Flying, this image centered on stillness. The model relaxed into a natural, reclined posture, and we worked to minimize movement so that even the smallest shifts in fabric and light became part of the composition. Shooting on breath-hold added an additional layer of challenge, as we had only seconds to achieve a calm, meditative presence before surfacing.

What Placing in Ocean Art Means to Me

Being recognized in Ocean Art is deeply meaningful. Underwater photography blends artistic vision with technical problem-solving, physical endurance, and a willingness to work within constantly changing conditions. To have these images resonate with the judges and the broader underwater imaging community is both affirming and motivating. It inspires me to keep exploring the expressive possibilities of the human form underwater and to continue pushing creative and technical boundaries in this environment.

Short Bio

Bruce Campbell is a fine art underwater photographer whose work ranges from underwater portraiture and fashion to marine wildlife and natural history imagery. While he often works on scuba to create carefully crafted scenes in dynamic ocean environments, he also incorporates breath-hold techniques when a project calls for a more fluid, intimate interaction with a subject. His award-winning images are recognized internationally and collected for their ability to bring a sense of wonder, serenity, and connection to the underwater world into interior spaces, and he is actively exploring partnerships with ocean preservation organizations to help support marine conservation efforts through his work.

Mermaid’s Repose