Lexi Laine’s underwater photography captures the ethereal beauty of a world beneath the waves, where gravity loosens its grip and humans can experience a semblance of flight. Her work, which often features women swimming in crystal clear waters, is reminiscent of delicate Baroque paintings, transporting us to a magical and otherworldly atmosphere.
Laine’s commitment to her art extends to the extraordinary lengths she goes to capture these images, choosing to free-dive on a single breath rather than using scuba gear, allowing for a more intimate and unobtrusive interaction with the underwater environment. Her photographs not only celebrate the beauty of this aquatic realm but also serve as a poignant reminder of the fragility of our natural water resources and the importance of their conservation.
There is no place where I’m more happy than when I’m in water. Sea swimming, exploring wild environments or even simply exercising in pools. I, like so many people, have a draw to the water that is hard to explain. I think it must have something to do with our evolution as humans, it is believed that all life once originated in the ocean after all. In my imagery, water represents how different this part of our world is from the places we typically inhabit. One of the things I love about shooting underwater is how the water itself is a means to defy gravity. It can hold the figures suspended in space and it can allow them to slowly rise as if flying towards the heavens. More often than not, my photographs celebrate the beauty of this otherworldly place but with this often comes the sadness of how we as humans mistreat this vital resource.
Lexi Laine
More info: Website, Instagram (h/t Beautiful Bizarre).