MPB, Europe’s top camera reseller, is partnering with Blind and legendary underwater photographer, scuba diver and biologist Laurent Ballesta to give you the chance to win the Nikon D5 that captured his images on the set of his acclaimed documentary 700 Sharks in the Night, as well as a limited edition and signed print of the photograph that earned him the 2021 Wildlife Photographer of the Year award. To have a chance of winning, head to mpb.com/blind-magazine and follow the entry instructions.
Today, as part of this competition, Laurent Ballesta tells Blind about his beginnings in underwater photography and gives advice on this exciting, sometimes technical, but accessible practice for all lovers of the sea.
How did you get started in underwater photography?
It all started with diving. I felt a real need to prolong my contemplation of underwater landscapes, because under water, time is limited. Unlike a forest where you can settle down and observe at your leisure, underwater, you have to quickly resurface. Photography quickly became a way to prolong this observation. It was also a tool to prove what I told my loved ones: the first dives, especially at Carnon Plage, were so unexpected that people had trouble believing me. There was a real need for visual testimony.
So photography helped you tell your dive stories…
Yes, but beyond that, photography awakened in me an artistic nature that had been put to sleep. Before diving, I spent my time drawing, painting, and writing. I was more literary than scientific, even though I pursued scientific studies, influenced by the figure of the marine biologist popularized by Cousteau. Ultimately, photography allowed me to rediscover this mode of creative expression that I had set aside. It became an obsessive passion.
What do you think are the basics for someone starting out in underwater photography?
For me, the foundation isn’t photography: it’s diving. You have to be comfortable with this discipline. If you have to think about every movement, your breathing, your balance, your orientation, you can’t concentrate on the shot. Then comes knowledge of the environment. The underwater world still allows you to photograph species you’ve never seen before, without going very far or very deep. So you have to be curious and cultivate a naturalist approach.
Diving is easy to learn, but mastering it can take a lifetime. This level of skill makes all the difference in photography. Unlike much-photographed locations like the Eiffel Tower, the ocean floor remains largely unexplored. Photographing a coelacanth, for example, isn’t technically difficult, but you have to manage to get right next to it. The real challenge is access, not the actual shooting.
What specific advice can you give about the Nikon D5 camera used for diving?
First, you need to disable the stabilization options on your lenses. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t shake underwater because the water dampens all movements. Then, you need to know how to use light. Underwater, you don’t add light to brighten things up, but to restore lost colors. So don’t hesitate to increase your ISO to capture ambient light and use the flash only for foreground colors.
What settings do you use when diving very deep?
At great depths, pressure can distort camera housings. It’s crucial to keep a simple shooting mode, like manual mode. This allows you to continue shooting even if certain controls become inaccessible. For example, if you can no longer adjust the shutter speed, you can adjust the aperture. A simple detail: don’t descend with your camera turned off, because sometimes the pressure prevents you from turning on the camera.
Another essential tip: don’t overuse artificial light. At depth, you increase the ISO, so you have to reduce the power of the flashes to avoid “burning” the image. I often use flashes at their minimum power, sometimes even attenuated by neutral filters to avoid overexposing the foreground.
What type of flash do you use?
I use dedicated underwater flashes from Seacam, which also makes the housings to protect the camera. They are designed to withstand pressure and are well-suited to the needs of underwater photography.
Is there any particular advantage to using Nikon equipment in underwater photography?
Historically, Nikon is the only brand to have designed cameras specifically for the sea, like the Nikonos RS. Even today, some of their lenses remain among the best underwater. I also appreciate their ability to go very high ISO, which is essential in the low-light conditions encountered when diving.
Your gear feels very heavy. Does it bother you underwater?
Yes, the equipment is substantial. You need diving gear, a primary electronic rebreather, emergency tanks, heated wetsuits for cold water, and ballast. Add to that the camera equipment: a camera in its housing, several lenses, flashes, etc. And since you can’t change lenses underwater, I often go with several complete cameras. On deep dives, I take two or three, often with the help of someone who manages them. On shallower dives, I can descend with five cameras, placed on the bottom and retrieved as needed.
Can you enjoy underwater photography without diving very deep?
Absolutely. Today, thanks to smartphones and small waterproof housings, it’s possible to get started easily without investing in heavy equipment. There are adapters for wide-angle or macro lenses, and some shots taken with a simple smartphone are impressive. It’s a great way to discover the discipline and see if it excites you before moving on to more complex equipment.
Enter the competition to win Laurent Ballesta’s Nikon D5 and a limited edition and signed print of his 2021 award-winning photograph. More information about the competition can be found in this article published at its launch.
About MPB: MPB is Europe’s top camera reseller, making it easy and sustainable to access used camera gear and save money since 2011. Do you have a camera or gear you’re ready to pass on to a new storyteller? Get your free, risk-free quote now and find out how much it’s worth.
