Photographs of the actors Kate Winslet, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver seemingly floating underwater in elaborate blue dresses, with eyes shut and arms outstretched, are to be sold to raise money for ocean conservation.

The images are the work of one of the world’s most celebrated underwater photographers, Christy Lee Rogers, who teamed up with the stars of the 2022 film Avatar: The Way of Water and its director, James Cameron, a longtime proponent of ocean conservation, who commissioned the photoshoot.

All proceeds will be donated to The Nature Conservancy, an organization dedicated to safeguarding marine animals. Their goal is to preserve 10% of the world’s oceans by 2030.

Cameron is an avid collector of Rogers’ artwork, particularly her photographs of three women using her distinct baroque approach. He expressed that her underwater photography style served as a natural source of inspiration for him to propose a special photoshoot with our cast.

The prints are available for purchase through Rogers’ website from A Gallery Artists, with prices ranging from $65 (£50) to $35,000.

Fraser Scott, the gallery owner, stated: “The shoot lasted approximately eight hours, but the actresses’ extensive underwater training was a big help.”

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The initial photography session occurred at an indoor swimming pool in the United Kingdom, where Rogers captured underwater shots of Winslet. Prior to filming of the Avatar sequels, Winslet had already mastered the art of freediving and had even surpassed Tom Cruise’s record of seven minutes of breathing underwater on a film set.

The images that were produced demonstrate Rogers’ adoration for art from the 16th and 17th centuries. She explained, “When I capture shots from the outside of the water during a dark night, there is a bending of light that occurs.”

Light moves slower in water than in air, allowing for a soft and painterly effect if the image is captured perfectly in sync with its movements.

According to Rogers, water was more than just a substance – it was a source of passion. She believes that water is essential for life, providing nourishment and renewal, and without it, we would not be able to survive.

“It is freedom, purity and pure lifeblood, and the most cherished element for me on our planet. Shooting with water is like being in the most magical place, where nothing is bound by this reality and everything’s possible.”

She remembered her experiences of exploring lava tubes beneath the rocky terrain of her homeland, Hawaii. She also swam out to the small islands near O’ahu, one of the primary islands of Hawaii.

She stated that her father instilled in her a profound appreciation for the sea and its depths during her childhood.

I wish for us to discover a fast resolution to maintain the cleanliness, freshness, and vitality of our water, in order for all living beings to prosper on this Earth. To me, this project is a crucial piece of that solution.

Source: theguardian.com