Artistic Underwater Photos Capture the Mystery of the Sea

Michaela Skovranova / Mishku / Underwater photography

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

The desaturated underwater photography of Michaela Skovranova creates a haunting vision of this foreign environment. Her artistic photography moves seamlessly from capturing the spirit of humpback whales to models floating beneath the water's surface. The Slovakia-born artist now resides in Australia, the perfect home for her to push the boundaries of her photography.

Skovranova transitioned into underwater photography three years ago, bringing her moody color palette and fine art sensibilities with her. Enjoying the variables that working underwater brings, she reminds us that “we only get to visit for as long as our breath hold lasts or a tank of air.” This mix of spontaneity and careful planning makes for incredibly memorable imagery.

As an Olympus Visionary, Skovranova uses a lightweight setup to increase her ability to be flexible while under the sea. Right now, she shoots on an Olympus OMD EM 1 MARK II and Olympus PT 14 Housing, relying on fixed focal length lenses. “This simple approach allows me to experiment with the environment as it happens without having to worry too much about the technical aspects,” she shares.

Michaela Skovranova / Mishku / Underwater photography

Working in a marine environment has brought Skovranova into close contact with these ecosystems. Her photographs demonstrating a quiet reverence for the species that live in the ocean. Even from her initial shoots, she was able to cultivate memorable experiences that pushed her work further. For instance, during one of her first swims with a humpback whale in Tonga, Vava'u she cultivated a striking memory. “A baby humpback whale breached just meters away from us and the force of the water pushed us away and covered us in thousands of tiny bubbles. It was special to be able to experience nature in this way.”

These bubbles run through many of her images, creating a hazy mask through which we see both whales and humans sharing the same space. As she continues to explore the deep waters of the ocean, it's her hope that through her artistry, viewers reflect on—and are spurred to explore—their own connections with the environment.

Michaela Skovranova's artistic underwater photography hovers in a space between reality and fantasy.

Michaela Skovranova / Mishku / Underwater photography

Michaela Skovranova / Mishku / Underwater photography humpback whales

Michaela Skovranova / Mishku / Underwater photography

Michaela Skovranova / Mishku / Underwater photography whales

Michaela Skovranova / Mishku / Underwater photography

Whether capturing majestic humpback whales or creating narratives with models, Skovranova achieves a dramatic result with her desaturated images.

Michaela Skovranova / Mishku / Underwater photography

Michaela Skovranova / Mishku / Underwater photography whales

Michaela Skovranova / Mishku / Underwater photography

Michaela Skovranova / Mishku / Underwater photography

Michaela Skovranova / Mishku / Underwater photography

Michaela Skovranova / Mishku / Underwater photography whales

She is also a talented filmmaker, her moving imagery mirroring her still photography.

Michaela Skovranova: Website | Instagram | Vimeo | Blog

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Michaela Skovranova.

Related Articles:

Interview: Underwater Photography Captures Dreamlike Moments Deep in the Ocean

Interview: Intimate Underwater Portraits of Humpback Whales by Jem Cresswell

Winning Images from the Underwater Photographer of the Year Contest

Stunning Underwater Images by a Photographer Drawn into the Depths of the Deep Blue Sea

Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.
Become a Member
Explore member benefits

Sponsored Content