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
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.
