BEN THOUARD, France +++ Winner of Red Bull Illume 2019 Photo Contest with his underwater shot of ACE BUCHAN kicking out from the barrel through the wave in Teahupo’o, Tahiti.
Thouard said: “I‘ve dedicated the last few years to shooting underwater, looking for new angles and a new way to shoot surfing and waves. Tahiti has some of the clearest water in the world, so it was easy for me to take advantage of it and explore it. This photo was shot during a freesurf session. Luckily I was right below, breathless with my waterhousing waiting for this moment and I was able to capture the whole sequence of it. This frame from the beginning of the sequence is the most powerful one because of the water around his face and body.”