
Winners Gallery


1st place The Ocean Photographer of the Year
Ben Thouard French Polynesia
The moment a surfer gets wiped out and worked by the turbulence of one of the heaviest waves in the world. "This is the unseen part of surfing," says photographer Ben Thouard. "I have so much respect for both the wave and the surfers - surfing such a heavy wave is a huge challenge."
BEHIND THE LENS

Ben Thouard France
ABOUT THE IMAGE
- 6-foot swell
- Mid-morning shoot
- Taken while freediving
- Site accessed by boat and then a swim
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.
