Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026, BENTHO6 - Oceanographic

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Finalist Adventure Photographer of the Year

Ben Thouard French Polynesia

17°52'06.4"S 149°14'58.9"W

A surfer races through the barrel of Teahupoʻo, French Polynesia, photographed from beneath the wave using a slow shutter speed. Rather than freezing the action, the technique blurs the rushing water while keeping the surfer as the focal point, conveying the incredible speed inside the wave. Teahupoʻo is a busy surf spot, yet the photographer has managed to capture an isolated surfer at this iconic location.

BEHIND THE LENS

Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026, BENTHO6

Ben Thouard France

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ABOUT THE IMAGE

  • Freediving
  • Accessed on Boat
  • Canon EOS R5 & 85mm f1.4
  • ISO50, F22, 1/10s

Originally from the south-east of France, Ben´s passion for the ocean and photography brought him around the world. He discovered Tahiti 20 years ago and decided to call it home. After shooting watersports for magazines and brands for over a decade he decided to slowly take a turn in his career and shoot water in a more personal style. His goal is to capture what really inspires him. The beauty of nature, the element of water, the waves and more particularly the underwater world. That photographic quest draws a whole new perspective in his photography career. It inspired Ben to create three art books : Surface, Turbulences and Aqua Obscura and it opened doors to art galleries allowing him to pursue his own projects and to shoot what he really loves: water.

MORE IMAGES BY Ben Thouard

Fine ArtPhotographer of the Year

2026 French Polynesia

Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026, BENTHO6

AdventurePhotographer of the Year

2025 Portugal

Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025, BENTHO2

The OceanPhotographer of the Year

2022 French Polynesia

Ocean Photographer of the Year 2022, BT

Fine ArtPhotographer of the Year

2022 French Polynesia

Ocean Fine Art Photographer of the Year 2022, BT

Community ChoiceAward

2021 French Polynesia

2021 Community Choice Award, Ben Thouard

AdventurePhotographer of the Year

2021 French Polynesia

2021 APoY runner-up, Ben Thouard

AdventurePhotographer of the Year

2021 French Polynesia

2021 Adventure Photographer of the Year, Ben Thouard

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