Francoise Holtzmacher, The swimming pool (Portrait (2018))
When children play in a swimming pool, they quickly get overexcited. They are happy, noisy, rough, boisterous and even sometimes violent. But when they are underwater, it is a very different picture. Suddenly, movements slow down and become graceful. Silence reigns. Cradled by the water, they float, they dance, they fly. Their faces radiate calm and peace, and I see some mystery. Until they surface again.
![](http://yaffa-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/yaffadsp/images/yafPhotoCompetitionEntry/imageHero/o_1c5pq8sgblt5pco13uj9klsspb-underwater-Amelie.jpg)
![](http://yaffa-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/yaffadsp/images/yafPhotoCompetitionEntry/imageHero/o_1c5pq8sgc9hc5eq1k251nft1g6tc-underwater-Felix-1.jpg)
![](http://yaffa-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/yaffadsp/images/yafPhotoCompetitionEntry/imageHero/o_1c5pq96vu5kh1hgspp0n8u15snm-underwater-Iris-dress-2.jpg)
![](http://yaffa-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/yaffadsp/images/yafPhotoCompetitionEntry/imageHero/o_1c5pq9kan1cv5kd1ntills10o1s-underwater-Lila-3.jpg)
![](http://yaffa-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/yaffadsp/images/yafPhotoCompetitionEntry/imageHero/o_1c5pqakv6ha1h6k1n1155fvr912-underwater-Iris-3.jpg)
![](http://yaffa-cdn.s3.amazonaws.com/yaffadsp/images/yafPhotoCompetitionEntry/imageHero/o_1c5pqavl01g7k3km95g15bi1n418-underwater-Lila-5.jpg)
Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.