Park lake swans’ underwater life captured on film
AMAN has captured an amazing underwater picture of swans – using a GoPro camera and an ice cream tub.
The award-winning picture captured the moment a curious swan dipped its head underneath the water to inspect the photographer’s camera.
Ian Wade achieved the incredible image using a home-made floating device fashioned from an ice cream tub. The 45-year-old then attached his GoPro and lobbed the camera into the lake in St George Park, Bristol.
Graphic Designer Ian was astonished by the result – after taking numerous pictures that slightly missed the swan.
“There’s 50% luck in everything you do in photography,” he said. “I like thinking outside the box when I’m taking these shots. With this one I had to be like a mad scientist – I do these things on the cheap.”
Ian, from Bristol, first saw the swans while walking with his family. He then rushed home to think about how he could capture the graceful birds.
He said: “I decided to make a flotation device out of an old plastic ice cream container. I cut a hole in it, stuck a GoPro in the hole and put weight in the bottom of it.”
He said:“I went back, saw the swans, got my home-made weight device, put my GoPro on the remote control setting and chucked it in. It sunk to the bottom. The swans luckily heard the commotion and thought it was a piece of bread. You can then fire a burst of shots – which I did until they moved. I then slowly waded into the lake – which looks a bit embarrassing as people think you’re nuts.”
Ian finally took a look at his images back at home – and thankfully saw his hard work had paid off. He then submitted his work for the 2021 compact category Underwater Photographer of the Year – and won.
“I’ve entered the last four or five years and have been included every time – but this is the first time I’ve won,” Ian added.
“I love this type of photography – it keeps my mind sane.”