Winners Gallery
2nd place Adventure Photographer of the Year
Ben Thouard French Polynesia
The wave of Teahupoo, as seen from below. “I’ve dedicated my time to shooting exclusively underwater these last five to six years,” says photographer Ben Thouard. “I’m so amazed by what is happening below this wave – a different world! I call this image ‘Underwater world’ as I felt everything was there in the image and it really describes how I feel down there, in another world.”
BEHIND THE LENS
Ben Thouard France
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Captured in the morning
- Shot while freediving
- Sunny conditions
- Site accessed by boat
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.
MORE IMAGES BY Ben Thouard
Fine ArtPhotographer of the Year
2022 French Polynesia
AdventurePhotographer of the Year
2021 French Polynesia
Reconnect. Immerse yourself. Be inspired.
Enjoy the vibrancy, beauty and impact of each year's finalist photography, celebrated in our Ocean Photographer of the Year coffee table book collection.
