MPB Meets: Underwater Wildlife Photographer Laurent Ballesta

Deep-sea diver, marine biologist and multi-award-winning photographer Laurent Ballesta is a central figure in modern underwater exploration. Through his Gombessa Expeditions, documentaries for Arte and publications in National Geographic, he pursues a singular mission: to tell the stories of the underwater world through photography.

"I grew up in a time when we waited all week for the Becoming Cousteau documentary [on the filmmaker and adventurer Jacques-Yves Cousteau]. It was always about much more than just images: it was an adventure."

As a child, Ballesta would re-enact scenes from Commander Cousteau's films on the beaches of Carnon with his brother. Later, it was no surprise that he became a diver and biologist.

"Patience is a virtue on land. Underwater, it's an unattainable luxury. I wasn't trying to create beautiful images; I wanted to capture mysteries."

Photography As An Extension of the Gaze

Underwater, time is limited, which means that photography becomes more than just a tool for memory. It becomes a means for understanding. For Laurent Ballesta, photography quickly became a way to extend the fleeting moment of observation beneath the surface. It meant he could capture details invisible to the naked eye and linger a little longer in the presence of small oceanic creatures.

Science Meets Photography

"The photograph has only ever strengthened science."

Ballesta founded Andromeda Oceanology in 2000 with artist Pierre Descamps. Their objective was to conduct research differently in the oceanology field, using images as scientific evidence. One of Ballesta's first achievements was a photo of a small, unknown goby fish taken at night. Thanks to this image, a British professor was able to identify the goby as a fish, which had previously only been discovered as a corpse 20 years earlier.

"There are a few decisive images from the start of my career, like the photo of the little Andromeda goby I took when I was still a student..."

The Gombessa Project

Laurent Ballesta's Gombessa project focuses on studying some of the rarest, most elusive marine creatures and phenomena on Earth.

The Gombessa Scientific Expeditions aim at exploring specific phenomena occurring underwater all around the globe. Among his most vivid memories, one dive stands out above the rest: the encounter with the coelacanth, a prehistoric fish believed to have been extinct for 65 million years. In 2009, he organised an expedition to find it, and the team had immediate success when they spotted the coelacanth on their very first dive. Photographing it was both a scientific milestone and a personal triumph, with this expedition leading to his first publication in National Geographic and marking the beginning of a long collaboration.

"This was my first publication in National Geographic, my first film for Arte, and the beginning of the Gombessa expeditions."

700 Sharks In the Dark

In 700 Sharks In the Dark, a documentary film and photographic work by Ballesta, he immerses himself without protection in the heart of a school of grey sharks. This project, set in the Fakarava atoll in Polynesia, reveals sharks' cooperative hunting behaviour as they are observed during a spawning of grouper fish.

Through demanding night dives, striking images, and a technical setup that included the renowned Nikon D5 Dual XQD, the documentary offers an intimate exploration of the underwater world.

The Role of the Committed Photographer

"Show that the world is beautiful and ridiculous. Show that it surpasses us, that it is stronger than us..."

All of Ballesta's expeditions are tied to concrete scientific programmes, and sometimes, the images can help influence local policy. They have contributed to bans on night diving, lagoon management plans, and the creation of protected areas in Corsica.

"Even in Fakarava, although we've achieved a few small things, the number of visitors has increased tenfold since our films. That places a real responsibility on me. But thinking we should keep a place's existence a secret, when we're approaching eight billion humans, is naive."

Ballesta's expeditions have made a real impact on marine conservation. In Rangiroa, his study of the great hammerhead shark led to the implementation of a lagoon management plan. During his sixth Gombessa expedition to Cap Corse, his research on mysterious circular forms in the water resulted in a ban on professional fishing in the area.

Close-Knit Teams Bring Personal Perspectives

"I'm very democratic... except when it comes to photos." "The approach I prefer, even if it upsets my colleagues, is to dive alone."

While the Andromeda Oceanology technical team is essential for logistics and video footage, photography remains Ballesta’s exclusive domain. Although he acknowledges the thrill of solo dives, he admits that a team structure helps him achieve his photographic goals. His ideal setup is a team of four divers divided into two pairs: a cameraman with an assistant, and himself with a dedicated support diver.

Choosing Equipment

"When I was a kid, I couldn't take photos. It was too expensive."

For a long time, Laurent remained loyal to film so that he could continue using Nikon's underwater lenses. He only switched to digital when it became possible to capture deep-sea light with very high ISO sensitivity. Today, thanks to cameras like the Nikon Z9, we can explore invisible landscapes: cliffs, canyons, marine voyages, introducing an entire underwater world that goes beyond the simple "beautiful image."

Ballesta explains that he made the transition from DSLR to mirrorless with the Nikon Z9, mainly to take advantage of better low-light performance, which is obviously a crucial benefit for deep diving. He also notes its compatibility with waterproof underwater camera housings, which are vital for working in extreme environments.

Ballesta's Advice to Photographers

"Start where you are"

There’s no need to travel to the Galápagos to take photos that can make a difference. Mastering a familiar, nearby location that you can return to regularly is just as valuable as the most exotic adventures. Some of Ballesta's earliest publications featured the seahorses of the Étang de Thau [in France, where he grew up].

The Image as an Exploration of Mystery

Through his journey, Laurent Ballesta shows that photography is more than just a visual art. It can be a tool for communication, ecological awareness and a celebration of life.

Despite all its expeditions, it's undeniable that the oceans remain largely unexplored. This is a humble and powerful reminder of the still unknown vastness of the underwater world. When we asked Ballesta our last question, "Are there still places in the underwater world that you dream of exploring?" He simply answered, "There are too many."