Top photos from 2019 - A story behind: Part 1

During 2019 I spent a lot of time in the water. That is something that truly shows on the photos that are taken during last year. Some of the photos I have shared on my blog and also at my Instagram account @nicoleedensbo. In this post I present the photos that have been the most appreciated together with a story behind it. Enjoy!

The Cyclop

This photo is taken in the southern parts of Peloponnese, Greece, in the peninsula called Mani. Mani is one of the most beautiful places on earth with its, somehow, penurious and at the same time so rich and magnificent landscape above the surface. The landscape under the surface was also magnificent and we found an element that was not originally a part of the underwater landscape but created by human hands. At -12 meters there was an anchor bigger than any anchor I had ever seen with which we made some extraordinary shots that can be found on my blog and my Instagram account.

, Top photos from 2019 – A story behind: Part 1 — Nicole Edensbo in the Aegean Sea of Mani, Peleponnese. Photo by: Bastien Soleil

The Calypso Deep has a depth of 5,267 meters. “…speaking of magnificent landscapes.”

Calypso Deep

Speaking of magnificent landscapes, I found a place on Earth where I for sure will go back to explore more. This photo was taken while exploring the Ionian Sea on the western part of Peloponnese. The rocks were steep, entering the water creating arches, underwater caves and depths hard to reach with one breath. Not far from here the deepest part of the Mediterranean Sea is situated. The Calypso Deep has a depth of 5,267 meters. “…speaking of magnificent landscapes.”

The editing of this picture creates and abstract image with room for fantasy and imagination.

Imagine

When looking at this photography one can almost believe it was taken during night time with the moon light shining through the surface landing on the back of the monofin and the back of the diver’s body. That was actually not the case. The photo was taken with the sun in the middle of the sky, in the deep blue waters of Kalamata. The photographer has done an amazing work though. The editing of this picture creates and abstract image with room for fantasy and imagination.

Above Surface

This was one of the first photos Bastien took of me. We met during the Depth World Championship in Villefranche sur Mer, France. We had a great connection which ended up in a lot of experiences together. This photo is taken in the Peloponnese, Greece when barely knew each other. I wanted to jump into the water but as it shows, the water had quite a lot of movements and the visibility was not the best. We stayed above the surface and Bastien had a clear vision in his mind and I think we achieved just that.

One can almost feel the movement of the water and touch the intensity of the situation.

National Record Dive

Quite exhausted coming up from a -77meter Free Immersion (FIM) dive. To be honest, this was not one of my favourite dives when it comes to diving experience, but I did it. I broke the Swedish national record in FIM. I did this dive after three months of intense freediving training and competitions including the World Championship in depth. My feeling truly shows in this phography; exhausted but relieved. I love the dramatic scene of the whole image from the weather conditions to the facial expressions. One can almost feel the movement of the water and touch the intensity of the situation.