Ben Thouard: Beneath the Surface of Silence

Born in Toulon, in the south of France, Ben Thouard grew up with the sea as his constant companion. Introduced to surfing by his older brothers, he developed not only a passion for riding the waves but also a profound respect and love for the ocean itself, a force that would later define both his life and his art. Art entered his life early. First through painting, where the ocean was always his subject, and later almost by accident, through photography. Discovering an old camera in his parents’ attic opened a new world for him, one where light, motion, and emotion converged. That moment marked the beginning of a journey that would take him from Paris’s darkrooms to the crystal depths of Tahiti. From his first experiments in analog photography to capturing the raw energy of Teahupoo’s legendary waves, Thouard has built a career defined by authenticity and awe. His underwater images are not simply about surfing, they are meditations on nature, silence, and the fragile harmony between man and the sea. With international recognition, three published books, and distinctions such as Ocean Photographer of the Year, Ben Thouard continues to explore the poetry of water. His lens doesn’t just document; it reveals the unseen that delicate line between chaos and calm, surface and soul.

Ben, you grew up by the sea. How has that environment shaped who you are, both as an artist and as a person?

Yes! I have been raised by the sea. I would see the ocean every day while going to school, even from my classrooms! My father always had a sailboat, and we would spend our holidays and weekends out at sea, I think this is exactly what grew in me a big passion for the ocean and water in general. When you’re sailing, it teaches you patience, you take the time to feel and observe your surroundings
During those days sailing, I think I really grew a big admiration for the ocean. Then I started surfing, and later on as a teenager I started photography and naturally I had to shoot water!! Today the ocean is part of my everyday life

Do you remember the exact moment you realized that photography would be more than a hobby that would define your life?

Yes, after the first few films that I shot when I found that old camera from my father at home! Right away, I fell in love with the process of capturing moments. The rest was a process of becoming away, but that passion was deep in me since the first few frames

From Paris to Hawaii and eventually to Tahiti, what pushed you to leave everything behind and dedicate your life to the ocean?

I knew that Hawaii then Tahiti would be the perfect playground for a Watersport photographer. I wanted to be in the best place to capture the best photos as possible. If you’re in love with the ocean Tahiti is a really unique place.

Your underwater work has a meditative stillness. What goes through your mind when you’re beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment?

Yes exactly, I’m meditating while I take photos underwater. That place is so peaceful, it takes a lot of patience so when. I’m shooting my body is rocked by the ocean moving, I’m here waiting, observing and meditating at the same time It’s so relaxing, so beautiful, so emotional !

How much physical and mental preparation does it take to shoot in the extreme conditions of big-wave surf photography?

I don’t really train or anything to shoot in big surf , but I’m constantly swimming and surfing all year around, so I try to stay in good shape all the time to be ready anytime. But it does not require a good physical condition to handle the long hours of swimming. Mental preparation is not really an issue when you’re so passionate.

Through your lens, the relationship between humans and the ocean feels deeply emotional. How do you perceive this connection?

Yes absolutely, like I said when I’m surfing or shooting and swimming , I’m always amazed by the ocean, the textures, the light coming thru the surface. When you’re looking at surfers passing by from underwater, it’s the moist magical thing I’ve ever seen , and I feel strong emotions while being out there, Sio my number one goal is to try to capture this beauty and this magic so people can feel the same emotions that I feel when seeing my images.

Have there been moments in your career when you felt genuine fear in the water and if so, how did you handle it?

Yes, there have been a few brief but intense moments from my so gar 20 years career : swimming and shooting with sharks, when one got a little too curious getting caught inside a 10ft teahupoo (3 times) Film over with my jet ski and all my equipment in 10 ft surf … And the list goes on … It’s part of the game I guess. The goal is to be prepared and to take the right decision in a millisecond

Your books Surface, Turbulences, and Aqua Obscura trace a visual evolution. What story are you trying to tell through them?

The main story is my love for the ocean! These 3 books are really about what I found to be the most amazing visions I had out there. But each of them has a style and a subject in the subject.
For example Surface was the beginning off my artistic exploration and had a large series of « see thru the wave » shots. Then Turbulences had a different style already from a photographic point of view but also as an object. And it had a large / main series on vortexes (turbulences)
Finally Aqua Obscura had a very strong artistic direction but printing the whole book with only custom blue inks! And also using an offset paper (matt and textured). And the main series is about bubbles at a slow shutter speed that create those jellyfish !

What is the most challenging part of capturing something as fluid, unpredictable, and immense as the sea?

Anticipation! I think this is the key component of capturing moments in the ocean. Because you’re swimming and your camera is in a waterhousing so you can’t change your setting at the last moment, you’cant really zoom in or out. So basically, you need Mohave the right lens , the right settings and frame it correctly before you miss it. And all the moments out there are unique and won’t happen a second time. Don’t be fooled, I miss a lot ahahah but I try to capture the most I can

Finally, what would you tell a young photographer who dreams of transforming their passion into a lifelong pursuit?

Get ready to work and work on your patience. Patience is key, for photography and for business as well. It’s not an easy job, but if you’re passionate enough and patient then you will succeed
Photography is more a lifestyle for me than an occupation

Ben Thouard
Ocean photographer
2022 Ocean Photographer of the Year
2019 Red Bull Illume Overall Winner
benthouard.com