In Pictures: 2022 Ocean Photographer of the Year Gets ‘Hypnotized and Fascinated’ While Documenting Surfing From Below

If you’ve ever tried surfing, whether competitively or for leisure, you know how enjoyable it can be. Not everyone is interested in participating in the sport itself, but many are eager to share their photographs and videos of the action, with the globe. Here is where the ocean photographers really come into their own, since underwater photography is often regarded as one of the most challenging forms of the vocation. Standing under the ruthless waves and photographing them may appear exciting, but it is also hazardous. The waves might drop in and occasionally harm the photographer. Notwithstanding the dangers, Ben Thouard, who is well-known in the photographic world and is the 2022 ocean photographer of the year, has lately spoken about a phenomenon he saw while photographing waves from below.

SeaLegacy has posted a series of photographs taken by Ben Thouard with his own remarks on Twitter. Oceanic waves, come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes – from 1 foot to 78 feet in height – are evidently a hypnotizing watch.

The world beneath the sport of surfing

As there are several styles of surfing, it is appropriate to practice the sport in a variety of wave conditions. Photographers have discovered a whole new world under the surface, where the water moves in a circular pattern due to energy traveling through it, generating waves. This creates a pattern that may be seen by the naked eye, in a well-captured shot.

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Ben Thouard has given the world a glimpse of this underwater splendor. In the Twitter post, Thouard talks about this mesmerizing view, saying, “I am hypnotized and fascinated by the movements of the water from beneath the waves. While documenting surfing from below, I witnessed amazing moments happening inside the crashing wave.” Crashing waves occur when the wave’s lip re-connects with the water after a period of time, providing an ideal break for surfers.

Tale of the ocean photographer

Ben Thouard is a native of Toulon, a port city in the south of France. Born into a large family of six, he learned to surf at an early age from his older siblings. Thouard was exploring art and painting at the same time he was learning to surf. He used to be an avid painter of seascapes. Yet he stumbled across photography when he was a teenager, and discovered an antique camera in his parent’s attic.

As soon as he began shooting, he discovered how much he liked it. Inspired by this, he packed his camera and a 50mm lens and headed to Paris to hone his photographic skills. Since becoming a pro, Thouard has won an award every year and has continued to serve his audiences and the world, with breathtaking underwater images.

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