Winners Gallery
Finalist Fine Art Photographer of the Year
Ben Thouard French Polynesia
The final moments before a storm. "To this date, this is the most memorable moment that I have spent in the ocean," says photographer Ben Thouard. "The last moment of light combined with the glassy water and the heavy storm coming in out the back made for a stunning situation. This image was shot during the very last seconds before the storm hit. The next minutes were a different story: 50-knot winds and heavy rain that made the way home a little challenging."
BEHIND THE LENS
Ben Thouard France
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- Calm morning, before the storm
- Overcast
- Mid-morning shoot
- Taken while freediving
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
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.
