Los Angeles, Feb 17 (IANS): Hollywood star Bradley Cooper meditates in freezing temperatures as soon as he wakes up as it helps him stay focused.

"James Nachtwey (a photographer commissioned by the Times) asked me if there are any rituals I do to prepare for a role. I said not really but mentioned that I do cold plunge every morning when I get up," Cooper told The New York Times.

Cooper made the admission as part of a piece by Nachtwey that saw him photograph A-listers doing what they loved away from film sets.

The 'A Star is Born' actor added about the shoot that saw him captured swinging a hammer in the snow before he took a cold plunge: "We were outside next to a creek, and we looked at each other and thought, 'OK? Let's give it a shot.'"

"It was much colder than the cold plunge I'm used to - and unfortunately, I didn't have a towel or a change of clothes. But we had a good laugh."

Photojournalist Nachtwey, who is known for his intimate depictions of the front lines in warzones such as like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, had never photographed a movie star before, but was sent to do so by the Times for its 'Great Performers' issue, reports aceshowbiz.com.

His other shots for the project included Da'Vine Joy Randolph, 37, shopping for fabrics and Paul Giamatti, 56, reading in his favourite second hand book store.

The 49-year-old actor’s 'Maestro', which is about troubled composer Leonard Bernstein, is nominated for seven Oscars including best actor for Cooper who played the conductor.