Milky Way at Lake Towerinning, Western Australia

Dynamic Underwater Photos Look Like Dramatic Baroque Paintings

Featuring swirls of intertwined figures and flowing drapery, each striking photograph looks like a 17th-century painting come to life. Specifically, Muses borrows traits from Baroque masters, including Caravaggio’s contrasts between light and shadow, Gentileschi’s focus on movement, and Rubens’ rich color palette. Unlike the work of these artists, however, Rogers’ scenes don’t take place in opulent interiors or mythological landscapes. Instead, they’re set entirely underwater.

Each photo featured in Muses was shot at night in an illuminated pool. This unique setup gives the photographs their soft, brushstroke-like quality and allows Rogers to literally bathe her subjects in the light as they twist and tumble through the water.