Benjamin Thouard

Driven by a desire as wild and powerful as the ocean itself, surf photographer Benjamin Thouard is always chasing waves, trying to get the perfect shot. "I love ocean photography so much because I'm in my element, moving with the water; it feels like meditation to me," he says.

Born and raised in Toulon on France's Mediterranean coast, Ben's love affair with the ocean started when he was very young. "My dad had a sailboat, so I would always spend my weekends and holidays on board it," he recalls. "When I was about eight years old, my older brothers took me surfing and that's how my passion for waves started." His passion for photography came later, when Ben was in his teens and discovered his father's old film camera. "I was instantly hooked," he smiles. "I bought a few film rolls and started photographing my friends surfing in coastal environments."

Ben has made a name for himself as a renowned ocean photographer, having won several accolades including the prestigious 2022 Ocean Photographer of the Year award. He was also the 2019 Red Bull Illume Overall winner, Adventure Photographer of the Year in the 2021 Ocean Photography Awards, and the 2017 Canon Editor's Choice winner in the Sports and Nature categories.

Being at one with the ocean would change anyone's life, and Ben now listens more to his emotions. "Standing on my father's boat as a kid, I had visions that we're all emotionally strong that I kept in my head," he smiles. "I realise now, many years later, that I'm trying to capture that feeling in my photos. It's challenging to try to evoke that same feeling, that raw emotion, in the viewer, but when you have an exhibition full of people admiring your photos, it's a wonderful feeling."

How did you build your own underwater housing?

"I had a Canon EOS-1V at the time. I used fibreglass to make the box that would house the camera. Flexiglass is very strong and can withstand the massive pressure underwater and while swimming, so I used that for the glass through which the camera could see. It was very exciting – I took the camera in the housing to the shore and put it in shallow water, but I was careful because I didn't want to drown my camera!"

What's the most dangerous situation you've found yourself in?

"It was when I captured the shot I call Animal (pictured above). I was swimming but when I went back to my jet ski to change lenses, I could see a storm approaching. In a minute, everything changed – it got really stormy, windy and scary. I fell off my jet ski and my gear went everywhere. I had to find my way back home after that, I was so disoriented. It was very dangerous, but I was super happy with the shot!"

How do you prepare yourself before going out to the ocean?

"I wake up in the morning, have my coffee and check the weather forecast. This has become my routine. That's the most basic thing to do before you go out. I also check the waves so that I can prepare my gear accordingly. If I'm shooting underwater, it's important that it hasn't rained on the days leading up to the shoot as that can lower the visibility. The wind is very important too. When there's no wind, you can see through the waves. The water is unpredictable, but that's the fun part."

"To be a good ocean photographer, you have to love the ocean and you need to know, understand and respect the elements. It's like if you want to climb a high mountain, you don't do it if you aren't prepared. I've been swimming my whole life, and sometimes I do have scary moments, so you have to be aware at all times. Learn to read the ocean and of course, be in good physical shape. Always be conscious of what you're doing, and be careful. You're in the ocean on your own, and you have to come back on your own, so do it for yourself, not for anybody else."

Instagram: @benthouard

Facebook: @ben.thouard.photography

Website: benthouard.com