A photographer takes stunning pictures of swimming pools from above to show them in a whole new way

Sophie-Claire HoellerAug 12, 2020, 19:55 IST

Brad Walls' "Pools From Above" series consists of 20 dreamy pools.Brad Walls

Brad Walls takes stunning aerial photos of pools for his aptly titled series, "Pools From Above."
The series consists of pools he photographed in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Sydney, Australia.
He says that each pool has its own personality.
Walls told Insider that his photos focus on "minimal elements, clean lines," and "geometric patterns forming."

Photographer Gray Malin has his beaches, but Brad Walls is turning swimming pools into art with his dreamy aerial shots.

In a time where exotic vacations and lazy days spent poolside may be unlikely for many, the Australian photographer's new series, "Pools From Above," is a refreshing mental escape.

Keep scrolling to see more of his work.

Brad Walls told Insider he picked up a semi-professional drone two years ago to document his travels around Southeast Asia, and that he's been refining his aesthetic since.

"Patterns /ˈpat(ə)n/." Brad Walls

Brad Walls told Insider he picked up a semi-professional drone two years ago to document his travels around Southeast Asia, and that he's been refining his aesthetic since.

The Australian photographer said he's "constantly experimenting with various subject matters," and that his style is "ever-evolving."

"On the ledge." Brad Walls

Currently, his style focuses on "minimal elements, clean lines," and "geometric patterns forming," according to Walls.

"Suns out buns out." Brad Walls

He said he took his first aerial shot of a pool two years ago in Asia, "for the sole purpose of collecting memories."

"Aquacade." Brad Walls

It wasn't until 2019, when he picked up a coffee table book titled "Splash: The Art of the Swimming Pool," that he honed in on pools.

"Grecian sun sleeper." Brad Walls

He said he focuses on "exposing the architectural features of each pool, like their own personality."

"Survival Juice | Thirsty for a bit more of summer." Brad Walls

Walls' series, aptly titled "Pools from Above," consists of pools he shot in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Sydney, Australia.

"Quarter pi." Brad Walls

He says he's lost count of how many pools he's shot, but estimates that it's around 100. Only 20 pools made the cut for his series.

"Curvy." Brad Walls

The 20 pools in the series "stood out for their shapes, colors, and geometric harmony," he said.

"Cosmo." Brad Walls

He says he often uses Google Earth to pin pools "that stand out visually from above."

"Time warp." Brad Walls

Walls then starts thinking about what he wants the photo to look like.

"Concrete." Brad Walls

"To make pools intriguing, it is all about applying design principles — negative space, symmetry, leading lines, geometry — to bring out its features and their own sense of personality," he said.

"Up & down." Brad Walls

"To make pools intriguing, it is all about applying design principles — negative space, symmetry, leading lines, geometry — to bring out its features and their own sense of personality," he said.

According to Walls, lighting is the most important element in his shoots, as shadow management is critical.

"Patio." Brad Walls

When pools are stark and minimal he says he likes to add people, towels, or umbrellas to make them feel less sterile.

"Pixelated H2O." Brad Walls

Each shoot takes him around 45 minutes, though he says patience is key.

"Grecian Dream." Brad Walls

"Without the necessary time and natural flow of artistic discovery, I wouldn't have had the chance to develop the 'special sauce' for creating 'Pools from above,'" Walls said.

"Paradise walkway." Brad Walls

"Without the necessary time and natural flow of artistic discovery, I wouldn't have had the chance to develop the 'special sauce' for creating 'Pools from above,'" Walls said.

"A Palm Springs Ting," pictured below, is close to his heart, as he credits it with defining his style.

"A Palm Springs Ting." Brad Walls

"It must have taken me 50 edits to get that image to sing, but that learning process was the foundation of the entire series," he said of the photo above. "I cannot stress the importance of failing time after time to find a winning formula."

"Tiered." Brad Walls

"It must have taken me 50 edits to get that image to sing, but that learning process was the foundation of the entire series," he said of the photo above. "I cannot stress the importance of failing time after time to find a winning formula."

He says the series is still evolving, but that his goal is to eventually release a coffee-table book.

"Nostalgia /nɒˈstaldʒə/." Brad Walls

"I look forward to this series taking me to unique locations around the world to expose the beauty of pool architecture," he said. Palm Springs, Mexico, and the Mediterranean are at the top of his list.

"Solo swim." Brad Walls

"I look forward to this series taking me to unique locations around the world to expose the beauty of pool architecture," he said. Palm Springs, Mexico, and the Mediterranean are at the top of his list.

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A photographer takes stunning pictures of swimming pools from above to show them in a whole new way

Brad Walls told Insider he picked up a semi-professional drone two years ago to document his travels around Southeast Asia, and that he's been refining his aesthetic since.

The Australian photographer said he's "constantly experimenting with various subject matters," and that his style is "ever-evolving."

Currently, his style focuses on "minimal elements, clean lines," and "geometric patterns forming," according to Walls.

He said he took his first aerial shot of a pool two years ago in Asia, "for the sole purpose of collecting memories."

It wasn't until 2019, when he picked up a coffee table book titled "Splash: The Art of the Swimming Pool," that he honed in on pools.

He said he focuses on "exposing the architectural features of each pool, like their own personality."

Walls' series, aptly titled "Pools from Above," consists of pools he shot in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Sydney, Australia.

He says he's lost count of how many pools he's shot, but estimates that it's around 100. Only 20 pools made the cut for his series.

The 20 pools in the series "stood out for their shapes, colors, and geometric harmony," he said.

He says he often uses Google Earth to pin pools "that stand out visually from above."

Walls then starts thinking about what he wants the photo to look like.

"To make pools intriguing, it is all about applying design principles — negative space, symmetry, leading lines, geometry — to bring out its features and their own sense of personality," he said.

According to Walls, lighting is the most important element in his shoots, as shadow management is critical.

When pools are stark and minimal he says he likes to add people, towels, or umbrellas to make them feel less sterile.

Each shoot takes him around 45 minutes, though he says patience is key.

"Without the necessary time and natural flow of artistic discovery, I wouldn't have had the chance to develop the 'special sauce' for creating 'Pools from above,'" Walls said.

"A Palm Springs Ting," pictured below, is close to his heart, as he credits it with defining his style.

"It must have taken me 50 edits to get that image to sing, but that learning process was the foundation of the entire series," he said of the photo above. "I cannot stress the importance of failing time after time to find a winning formula."

He says the series is still evolving, but that his goal is to eventually release a coffee-table book.

"I look forward to this series taking me to unique locations around the world to expose the beauty of pool architecture," he said. Palm Springs, Mexico, and the Mediterranean are at the top of his list.