2021 Adventure Photographer of the Year, Ben Thouard

1st place Adventure Photographer of the Year

Ben Thouard French Polynesia

17°50´50” S 149°16´2” W

Matahi Drollet catches a wave known as Teahupoo in Tahiti. “For this photo, I wanted to translate the energy of waves like these,” says photographer Ben Thouard. “I used a slow shutter speed to create the motion blur effect, giving a sense of speed to the photo. Speed is key in surfing, but capturing that sense of speed in an image was a real challenge. I’ve shot so many images like this, but this is the best I’ve got! I call it ‘Full speed’.”

BEHIND THE LENS

2021 Adventure Photographer of the Year, Ben Thouard

Ben Thouard France

ABOUT THE IMAGE

Big swell
Windless day
Sunny conditions
Captured late morning

Ben is a French-born ocean photographer based in Tahiti, where his lifelong passion for the sea and watersports meets his craft. He began capturing ocean moments as a teenager, driven by a desire to share the emotions he felt while surfing and swimming in powerful waves. In Tahiti’s world-renowned waves and underwater landscapes, Ben developed his unique visual style. His work has led to the publication of two books—Surface and Turbulences—and earned him international acclaim, including the 2019 Red Bull Illume overall win and the 2022 Ocean Photographer of the Year title. Ben continues to let the rhythm of the ocean guide his photography and creative journey.