Issue 299: Behind the cover

Normally trying to take a picture in or under deep water is exceedingly challenging, not least on the part of the model! However, if the water temperature is a balmy 22 or 23C, the process is transformed and becomes far more pleasant, assuming of course that you can keep the camera dry. So it was that in Terra Ronca 2, instead of teeth chattering and body shivering, my model was able to raise a smile and enjoy the wondrous surroundings. My position was slightly different in that my camera was delicately perched on the tripod, chest-deep in water. Nerves were a little stretched and I was mindful of the drips from my hands and the flow of the river – no room for error here! Once set up, this was a simple image to capture with the showering droplets dancing beautifully on the water surface. To me, a setting like this always conveys the magic of the cave environment, the reason we love being underground.

Martyn Farr

Martyn Farr is internationally renowned as a caver and cave diver. He has been an active underground explorer for over 63 years and is responsible for the discovery of miles of cave passage in many countries. He has established various national and international records in the cave diving sphere.

In recent years, Martyn has achieved spectacular results in the field of underground photography, with numerous awards to his credit. His images have been published in many books, calendars and magazines around the world. Martyn’s most acclaimed work is The Darkness Beckons, a major publication now in its fourth edition. His most recent book, Hidden Realms (2023) is a sumptuously illustrated presentation of 100 of the finest caves and mines right across the British Isles and Ireland.

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Photo courtesy of Rachel Smith.

Posted in Behind the cover