OM: You continuously paintings by myself – have you ever ever been swept up in sturdy currents?

BT: It’s came about a couple of instances, thankfully not anything too dangerous has ever came about, however while you’re swimming in massive waves to take pictures, there’s all the time a possibility! I were given stuck two times in Teahupo’o through large units and may no longer make it underneath the waves, so I stopped up being swept onto the dry reef. That is simply a part of the sport, which in fact provides to the fun of all of it. It’s thrilling figuring out that there can be some problem achieve the required shot.

OM: What has your paintings taught you concerning the ocean?

BT: I realized thru my paintings that the sea is unpredictable and strong, and you wish to have to bear in mind always. It’s a power that calls for nice recognize and a focus. This could also be what’s so thrilling about being within the ocean and why I like to take pictures there. The moments spent available in the market won’t ever occur two times and amassing pictures from those distinctive revel in as keepsakes may be very attention-grabbing.

OM: How do making a decision when and the place to move shoot?

BT: The very first thing I do is test the elements prerequisites – that is key to my paintings. I typically test the elements forecast once or more an afternoon and I take a look at two or 3 other forecasts to understand what will occur in the following few days, and what and the place it could be maximum attention-grabbing to shoot. It’s much less about talents and extra concerning the wisdom you obtain with time and observe. Occasionally, there can also be numerous preparation and it’s eager about not anything. I wish to scout places moderately and know how the swell is reacting on each and every spot. This is helping me to expect what dimension and course of swell will paintings for every location. You additionally wish to believe the wind and the sunshine – all of it has to return in combination. Seeking to mix all the ones converting components makes it difficult and that’s why I find it irresistible.

OM: What has been your maximum memorable revel in whilst out capturing waves?

BT: When I used to be capturing out within the ocean 3 years in the past, in October 2016, I shot two pictures known as LOST and ANIMAL. I feel they’re the one of the vital most famed photographs from my portfolio. A large hurricane was once drawing near Tahiti, however the wave prerequisites have been, till the very closing 2nd, glassy and idyllic so I used to be in a position to shoot pictures of the easiest waves with the heavy hurricane drawing near ominously within the background. I really like those moments and I nonetheless understand that day beautiful neatly. Making my long ago house was once an actual venture because the hurricane hit beautiful onerous however it was once all price it.

OM: What are you operating on subsequent?

BT: Presently, I’m operating on increasing my ocean choice of photographs and prints and setting up exhibitions. I would like in an effort to make large displays of my photographs international – it’s a large problem however the extra I paintings on this enviornment the extra I realise that persons are taking part in my pictures, so it provides me self belief to stay going. And with a bit of luck I’ll be capable to create a follow-up e-book to SURFACE in a couple of years. I Hope my paintings with inspire extra other people to move out and discover the underwater global and to create their very own imaginative and prescient of it.

Uncover SURFACE, a wonderful espresso desk e-book of wave and ocean pictures through Ben Thouard, which took him greater than a yr to shoot. 

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