From RAW to Fine Art: The Making of an Underwater Portrait

What You See Isn’t Always What I See…

Underwater fine art photography starts long before the finished image you see on my website. Sometimes what comes out of my camera looks NOTHING like what I already see in my head. And underwater photography? Oh, she likes to make me work for it!

I looked at this RAW file and knew there was something freaking magical hiding in there. I could see it. Now I just had to drag it out of all that blue water and make the photograph in my head actually exist.

And yes, there were definitely A LOT of cuss words along the way during this editing process. There always are! 😂

Okay… ready to see where I started?

I Knew There Was Something in There!

I know! It’s blue. It’s dark. She looks tiny in a whole lot of water! 😂

But when I looked at this RAW file, I didn’t see a throwaway image. I saw what it could become! I saw her pose. I saw that incredible dress floating behind her. I saw the pearls, her hair, the lantern, and that gorgeous reflection dancing across the surface.

I could already see the finished photograph in my head!

Then came the fun part: figuring out how the hell to get it there!

I worked the color. I brought her skin back to life. I pulled detail out of that dress and those pearls. I darkened and shaped the water around her. I protected that beautiful warm glow from the lantern. I cleaned up distractions. I zoomed in. I zoomed out. I changed things. I changed them back.

And yes, I cussed. A LOT! 😂

But THIS is why I love editing! I get completely obsessed with an image when I know what it can become. I’ll keep messing with it, fighting with it, loving it, hating it, and probably cussing at it some more until what’s sitting on my screen finally looks like what I could see in my head all along.

And THIS is where I ended up!

Want to See What This Actually Looked Like Underwater?

I created this photograph of Hannah during Brett Stanley’s incredible underwater photography workshop at his custom underwater studio in Long Beach, California.

And yes, I turned my GoPro on before we went under because I LOVE being able to capture what’s happening behind the scenes while I’m photographing!

Brett was right there on the edge of the pool the entire time, watching Hannah and me work. And if you’re wondering why I’m attached to a bunch of cords underwater, there’s a really freaking cool reason for that!

I was using Brett’s Trigger Fish, an invention that allows underwater photographers to fire powerful studio strobes positioned ABOVE the water while photographing BELOW the surface. My camera housing was connected by a sync cable to the Trigger Fish system, allowing those lights above the pool to fire when I pressed my shutter. Seriously, how freaking cool is that?!

Then down Hannah and I went!

This is the part people usually don’t get to see. Hannah’s massive dress comes alive underwater while I work through different compositions, and you’ll even see me rotate my camera between horizontal and vertical frames as I photograph her.

Brett is there through the whole thing, watching from the edge of the pool, and when we finally come back up, there he is with that huge smile on his face. I absolutely love that part! 💙

So here it is—the real, unpolished, behind-the-scenes view of what was actually happening underwater while I created this photograph!

I Learned SO Much From This Workshop!

I’ve taken a lot of photography classes and workshops over the years, but Brett Stanley’s underwater photography workshop was easily one of the most detailed I’ve ever taken!

And it went WAY beyond just learning how to photograph underwater.

Brett taught me so much about lighting—especially things I honestly didn’t understand before. We worked with lighting above and below the water, his Trigger Fish system, positioning, technique, safety, and even breath work.

And the breath work was freaking awesome!

It turned out that every single person in our class was having trouble sinking underwater without weights. Brett worked with each of us individually, taught us how to use our breathing differently, and by the end, every one of us was able to sink without weights! That was a HUGE lightbulb moment for me.

One of the things I loved most about Brett’s workshop was the small class size. Nobody got lost in a giant group. Brett was right there with us—watching, teaching, correcting, answering questions and giving each of us individual attention.

And I could seriously keep going because I learned SO MUCH!

Brett is also insanely creative. This is a guy who builds entire sets and puts them underwater. Living rooms. Bedrooms. Crazy concepts that make you wonder, “How the hell did he even think of that?!” 😂

But beyond everything he knows and creates, Brett is just an amazing human and a genuinely nice guy. I walked away with new skills, a much better understanding of underwater lighting, more confidence in the water, and about a million new ideas spinning around in my head.

Would I take another Brett Stanley workshop? In a heartbeat!

And I have a feeling I will someday. 💙

Stay wild,
T

Find the People Behind the Magic

Hannah Fraser | Hannah Mermaid
Hannah is an underwater performance artist, professional mermaiding pioneer and ocean conservation activist. Her official bio credits her with creating the vocation of the freelance mermaid in 2003. 
Hannah Mermaid Official Website
Instagram — @hannahmermaid

Siren Sanctuary Costa Rica
Hannah’s Costa Rica sanctuary hosts immersive retreats centered around the ocean, underwater movement, creativity and connection. 
Siren Sanctuary Retreats
Instagram — @sirensanctuarycostarica

Brett Stanley | The Underwater Photographer
Award-winning underwater portrait photographer and cinematographer, educator, underwater-set-building mad scientist 😂, and the man behind the workshop where these photographs were created. 
Brett Stanley Official Website
Underwater Photography & Workshops
Instagram — @brettsphoto

Tobi Rose Rabaliati | Tobi Rose Photography

Underwater fine art photographer based in Hood River, Oregon, creating dark, dreamy and just downright freaking awesome badass underwater portraits throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Tobi specializes in transforming what happens beneath the surface into finished fine art—full of movement, emotion, drama and a little bit of beautiful chaos.

Ready to create your own underwater portrait?
Explore The Experience to see what an underwater session with Tobi is really like, or download the Free Underwater Portrait Guide to learn what to expect before you ever step into the water.

Tobi Rose Photography Website
Instagram — @tobirosephotography
Rose & Lace Instagram — @roseandlacebytobirose