Last April, MPB—Europe’s top camera reseller—partnered with Blind and world-renowned underwater photographer, diver, and biologist Laurent Ballesta for an unprecedented contest.
Blind readers were invited to enter to win the Nikon D5 used by Laurent Ballesta himself to capture images whilst filming his famous documentary 700 Sharks into the Night, made in 2018 on the Fakarava atoll in French Polynesia. These photographs can also be found in an eponymous book published by Hemeria.
One photo in particular, showing three groupers leaving behind a milky cloud of eggs, earned Laurent Ballesta the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award in 2021. This photograph, in a limited edition and signed print, was also up for grabs alongside the Nikon D5 with which it was taken.
The winner of the Nikon D5 and the signed print was selected at random. Her name is Angélique Ballet, she is from Besançon, France and she is a long-time admirer of the photographer and his work. In the interview below, she shares her impressions.
What was your first reaction when you learned that you had won Laurent Ballesta’s camera and a fine-art print of the image that earned him the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award?
My first reaction was a mix of surprise and joy. I have always admired Laurent Ballesta’s work—his exceptional skills as a diver and his unique vision of worlds that few of us have the chance to discover. Through him, unexplored places come to life in images and reports of striking beauty; he offers us a breathtaking vision of the underwater world.
The photograph I won is particularly meaningful to me: having lived in Tahiti and dived in Fakarava, it captures a rare and majestic moment, a fragment of that paradise which Laurent managed to make eternal. Today, a small piece of Fakarava lights up my living room.
How would you describe your overall experience of the contest?
I am truly happy to have won this competition. Owning his camera and one of his award-winning photographs is a real privilege for me, and every time I look at them, I am reminded of the beauty of the ocean and the places he explores.
What do you particularly admire about Laurent Ballesta and his photographs?
What I admire about Laurent Ballesta is both his exceptional talent and the person he is. An outstanding diver and explorer of uncharted underwater worlds, he knows how to capture rare and sublime moments, revealing the beauty and fragility of marine life. But what touches me most is his humility, his contagious passion, and his sincere desire to share these extraordinary worlds. Every photograph and every report he produces reflects not only his unique view of nature, but also the curiosity, respect, and humanity of a deeply inspiring man. Each image he captures is a journey in itself.
You have lived in Polynesia yourself and feel deeply connected to the marine world. Can you tell us about your personal experience?
My love for diving was born in French Polynesia, a true paradise on earth where the beauty of the lagoons blends with the warmth and generosity of its people. It was there, among the crystal-clear waters of Fakarava and other enchanting sites in the Polynesian archipelago, that I discovered the richness and fragility of the marine world—those suspended moments that diving can offer us. These experiences continue to shape my perspective and my admiration for explorers like Laurent Ballesta, who are able to reveal the poetry and grandeur of underwater worlds through their images.
You are also passionate about photography and travel. Can you tell us about this part of your life?
Travel is a true passion for me, an endless desire to discover the world. Traveling allows me to explore unique landscapes, cultures, and ecosystems, and each new destination is an invitation to wonder. Yet, despite all the images one can capture, the most beautiful photograph remains, in my view, that first glance at a place you are discovering for the very first time—that pure, fleeting moment when beauty strikes you. It would take a thousand lifetimes to explore all the beautiful places on our planet.
Do you think you might one day return to Polynesia, following in Laurent Ballesta’s footsteps in Fakarava, and take underwater photographs with his camera?
Oh yes, absolutely—who knows, maybe during a Gombessa expedition. My regulator is ready, Laurent.
About MPB: Founded by Matt Barker in 2011, MPB has always been committed to making gear more accessible and affordable, and helping to visualise a more sustainable future. MPB now recirculates 570,000 items a year, extending the life and creative potential of photo and video equipment for creators around the world.
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