1st Place winner
The fall of Gabriel
DESCRIPTION
“The Fall of Gabriel” is an underwater photograph from my evocative series “Gabriel,” which unravels the intricate dance between falling and rising, capturing the raw essence of each emotional phase.“The Fall of Gabriel” crystalizes a pivotal moment in this emotional odyssey. At the center of this image, an individual deals with the complexities of descent, both a literal immersion and a metaphorical introspection.
The cavernous setting creates a surreal ambiance, a metaphorical representation of the depths within the human soul. Bathed in the glow of a solitary column of natural light, Gabriel finds himself suspended in a transient state, delicately poised between a fall into the abyss and the promise of rising to new heights.
The submerged realm symbolized the vastness of our inner world, and the solitary light source represents hope and resilience, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, a glimmer of light awaits us.
For this series, I looked for a capable freediver, and collaborated with the freediving instructor and underwater dancer Gabriel Forestieri, as some of the dives reached 15 meters. I am myself a freediver trained to dive down to 30 meters.
AUTHOR
Fran Reina is an Italian underwater photographer based in Mexico. Drawn to water from an early age, she pursued a career traveling as a scuba diving instructor and underwater photographer. However, her true fulfillment came from capturing the natural beauty of the underwater world while incorporating the human element into each scene.Through her art, Fran seeks to highlight the beauty and tranquillity of the underwater environment. Her work focuses on integrating the human form into the underwater landscape, creating a powerful connection between the viewer and the scene. By featuring a variety of human figures that are not typically represented within modern beauty standards, she aims to promote inclusivity and inspire self-esteem in both the subjects and viewers.
Despite being an experienced scuba diving instructor, Francesca captures all of her underwater images while breath-holding. This technique allows her to move fluidly through the water without the burden of heavy equipment, creating a deeper connection with the subject—also breath-holding—and the surrounding environment.
