Visually Pleasing Swim Portraits Capture the Hypnotic Symmetry of Indoor Pools

Pool Photography by Maria Svarbova

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Slovakia-based artist Maria Svarbova captures the hypnotic symmetry of swimming in her series of fine art photographs. She uses indoor pools as the setting for models to pose in athletic stretches, diving stances, and swimming strokes. The result is distinct portraiture that combines the monotonous patterns of tiles with bright spot colors to evoke a retro aesthetic that at times has the vibe of a Wes Anderson film.

The reflective nature of water allows Svarbova to create mirrored images of the athletes. She amplifies this natural occurrence by manipulating photographs on the computer and digitally cloning the same individuals within a single composition. In this way, she is able to convey the movement of the sport in one photograph and devise an abstracted atmosphere that is both calm and anticipatory of what happens next.

Svarbova's photographs have been compiled in a book called Swimming Pool and Retro Future. You can learn more about her fine art photography practice by visiting her website and keep up to date with the artist's latest projects by following her on Instagram.

Slovakia-based artist Maria Svarbova captures swimmers at indoor pools in a mesmerizing series of photographs.

Swimming Photography by Maria Svarbova

Swimming Photography by Maria Svarbova

Swimming Photography by Maria Svarbova

She uses symmetry, repetition, and bold spot-colors to create mesmerizing compositions.

Pool Photography by Maria Svarbova

Pool Photography by Maria Svarbova

Pool Photography by Maria Svarbova

Pool Photography by Maria Svarbova

Pool Photography by Maria Svarbova

Pool Photography by Maria Svarbova

Pool Photography by Maria Svarbova

Pool Photography by Maria Svarbova

Swimming Photography by Maria Svarbova

Swimming Photography by Maria Svarbova

Swimming Photography by Maria Svarbova

Swimming Photography by Maria Svarbova

Swimming Photography by Maria Svarbova

Swimming Photography by Maria Svarbova

Swimming Photography by Maria Svarbova

Maria Svarbova: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Maria Svarbova.

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Margherita Cole

Margherita Cole is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and illustrator based in Southern California. She holds a BA in Art History with a minor in Studio Art from Wofford College, and an MA in Illustration: Authorial Practice from Falmouth University in the UK. She wrote and illustrated an instructional art book about how to draw cartoons titled 'Cartooning Made Easy: Circle, Triangle, Square' that was published by Walter Foster in 2022.
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