Breathtaking undersea world of a 'Moscow Merman'

    By Sheena McKenzie, CNN

    Updated 0715 GMT (1515 HKT) April 20, 2016

    World champion freediver Alexey Molchanov poses without the assistance of breathing equipment, in this ethereal underwater series by photographer <a href="http://www.liabarrettphotography.com/" target="_blank">Lia Barrett.</a>
    Photos: Undersea world of a 'Moscow Merman'
    World champion freediver Alexey Molchanov poses without the assistance of breathing equipment, in this ethereal underwater series by photographer Lia Barrett.
    Hide Caption
    1 of 13
    Barrett took the spectacular images off the coast of Mexico, plunging depths of up to 100 feet (30 meters).<br />"I would wait for Alexey in a specific spot, frame the shot, and then would signal to him at the surface," explained Barrett, who unlike Molchanov, was wearing an oxygen tank.<br />"After breathing up, he would descend slowly in order to preserve oxygen, and would then stay down with me for about two minutes."
    Photos: Undersea world of a 'Moscow Merman'
    Barrett took the spectacular images off the coast of Mexico, plunging depths of up to 100 feet (30 meters).
    "I would wait for Alexey in a specific spot, frame the shot, and then would signal to him at the surface," explained Barrett, who unlike Molchanov, was wearing an oxygen tank.
    "After breathing up, he would descend slowly in order to preserve oxygen, and would then stay down with me for about two minutes."
    Hide Caption
    2 of 13