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InspirationPhotography

Michael Wharley's before and after photographs of Cold Water Swimmers in London

I'm not sure what compels some people to swim in freezing cold water in the depths of winter, but seeing the before and after photographs of this interesting series by Michael Wharley, you can see the initial shock is worth the joy and exhilaration.

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All images courtesy of the artist. Via Creative Boom submission.

All images courtesy of the artist. Via Creative Boom submission.

A personal project by the London photographer, Cold Water Swimmers combines his passion for the rapidly growing pastime of outdoor swimming with his editorial photography and location lighting skills.

Focusing on swimmers at the unheated South London's Brockwell Lido, who brave the pool year-round enduring and enjoying temperatures as low as two degrees, Michael spent a morning in late November taking images of any swimmer willing to participate.

"I love cold water swimming, so it was such a delight to spend the morning shooting with Brockwell's characterful community of swimmers," says Michael. "Whether old or young, triathletes or casual dippers, lycra-clad or going in their Speedos – the personalities, pre-swim rituals and post-swim elation of this hardy group make the Lido what it is in winter."

The ‘pre’ shots were more formal, studio-and-ambient-lit portraits taken poolside, which were followed by ‘after’ naturally-lit shots in the water, to show the exhilarating, skin-reddening, shocking delight of a cold water dip, and to contrast the "perfunctory architecture and furniture of the poolside environment, with the transporting pleasures of the pool itself".

Cold water swimmer in yellow swimming cap and navy shorts standing in bright blue water at Brockwell Lido, giving a thumbs up gesture
Two cold water swimmers stand on the poolside at Brockwell Lido before entering the unheated water, with bare winter trees visible beyond the brick buildings
Woman in red swimming costume with green swimming cap and blue goggles stands in blue pool water with tongue out, smiling after cold water swim
Man in blue swimming cap and colourful swim shorts standing in the turquoise water at Brockwell Lido, with goggles round his neck
Young woman in black swimsuit and burgundy gloves stands by the pool at Brockwell Lido, smiling with hands raised before entering the cold water
Smiling woman in black swimming costume and black gloves standing in bright blue pool water at Brockwell Lido
Two female cold water swimmers in wetsuits stand poolside at Brockwell Lido wearing swimming caps and goggles, with bare-branched trees and brick buildings visible behind them
An adult and child in wetsuits smile at the camera whilst standing in bright blue pool water, both wearing swimming goggles and caps
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