American Photography 29 Winners

A Matter of Life and Breath

Garo Jack Hachigian, safety diver, acclimates (to the water and pressure) with pull-downs and practice dives around the competition area, "A Matter of Life and Breath," May 2012,Competitive Freediving is the sport of breath-hold diving - where athletes swim to depths with no breathing apparatus, just lungfuls of air. The DeJa Blue freediving competition is held annually off Grand Cayman Island, where athletes can push their limits under the careful supervision of multiple layers of safety divers.

A Matter of Life and Breath

Nick Mevoli "walks" up a dive-line while preparing for his target dive of 86 meters "It is something I do to relax - to remind me that this is fun. "A Matter of Life and Breath," May 2012, Competitive Freediving is the sport of breath-hold diving - where athletes swim to depths with no breathing apparatus, just lungfuls of air. The DeJa Blue freediving competition is held annually off Grand Cayman Island, where athletes can push their limits under the careful supervision of multiple layers of safety divers.