Bathers explores the social theatre of communal bathing, a ritual that is both private and public. Ruth Kaplan's journey began in the nudist hot springs of California in 1991. By participating in the baths, Kaplan gradually became accepted and was able to make photographs of her fellow bathers, occupying the dual role of empathetic voyeur and participant. From California she then travelled to Eastern Europe seeking a more traditional form of the practice in the spa towns of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and Romania.