I can appreciate a really nice pool! Not just to relax or take a dip in… I mean a pool that’s meant specifically for training and lap swimming.
There was a point in my life when swimming is the only exercise I could really do. I busted up my back from lifting and the doctor cut it out of my routine. He recommended that I swim, so that’s what I did. Let me tell you, it’s MUCH harder than these athletes make it look. Just getting the breathing pattern down took me a few weeks. But within a couple months, I was officially a lap swimmer.
I’m fortunate that I live next to one of the nicest natatoriums in the state. I took full advantage of that for years. So when MarmonMok asked if I’d be interested in photographing the new SWISD Natatorium in San Antonio, I was pretty damn excited.
The shoot had to happen really fast. MarmonMok was looking to submit photos for possible awards and the deadline was right around the corner.
We were able to get full access and freedom to shoot as I saw fit, which is always a blessing. I even got to fly my Mini 3 Pro drone inside the swim area.
Inside the natatorium had plenty of natural light, so there was no need for flash. Even if I wanted to though, this place was to huge to light up without some Hollywood studio lights.
Since the area was so big, I did several panoramic shots using my 24mm TSE. This is process I use in which I take bracketed shots in the middle and the outsides of the shift limit on this lens. Lightroom does a great job of stitching them together.
Take a look at the beautiful work MarmonMok did on this design: