New gallery , in Locmariaquer.

New step for me. 

After 13 years based in Locmariaquer I decided to move to a new step.
I have now my own gallery / office which is next to church and port (easy to find).

It took me a long time  to decide and set up my new base. I did not wanted to move out of Locmariaquer. Small village by the Golfe du Morbihan, I really feel home there when I come back from anywhere on the planet.

Beginning of August I have openned and moved in a new office with window.

It's now possible for me to show some different photos that the one published in magazines.

Underwater photo, Cities by night, Birds, and non sponsored boats.

Photos are print on high quality printer, on canvas or paper ( on aluminium)

If you pass by Britanny, come to Locmariaquer. Gallery is open when we work in office.

As I spend a lot of time "on the road" you will probably meet Anne , my great assistant.

To be original or to copy....

I have been doing photography as a professional for many years . When I started I have been very lucky to meet and to be friend with some of the best photographers in Sailing . From the beginning I always had a very high respect of the job of my collegues. To be photographer is not always glamour as public think, but I do not want to do something else. I love photography and specialy action sailing photography. During my second Whitbread in 1993/94 I met Carlo Borlenghi (ITA) . He is and have always been one of the top guy in our job. I learnt from him so many trick and have shared a lot with him, all around the planet. I would like to think he is one of my best friend. One thing we have in commun is passion for quality, and the quest to THE photo. 

I remember a trip we did together in 1997 during Whitbread Stopover in Fremantle(AUS) To Sydney. We had spent a week in Syndey (sharing hotel room, car, food, etc...), working non stop from sunrise to sunset, with one mandatory thing, we should have an Italian meal per day which is not very hard in Sydney. It was just after Sydney got 2000 Olympics games. We never copy the other one, even doing photos of same places at same time.

Few years ago, as we were both in Sydney for Sydney to Hobart race, we have ordered a housing each for our Canon 1Ds mark II. Carlo had since a long time an idea of photos from water surface , playing with wave. The guy we met in Sydney ( from Aquatec) have been very surprise by Carlo idea to connect a video camera on view finder and be able to see image trough a pair of very special "sunglasses" 

 My way was not the same . I had more interest to do onboard photos in wet condition with flash, remote control ( Multihull, AC boats, etc...). And never I will have do the same photo than Carlo. 

I am sad to see so many sailing photographers to simply copy day after day what Carlo had in mind an do since a long time . Part of our job is to be creative, NOT to copy ideas from an other photographer. 

It's obvious when you buy a wide-angle lense or a 600mn you can  have photography which look similar to  somebody else using same lenses.

But why just copy and do the same than an other photographer ? I do not see the value.

In writers world or music world Copy is called plagiarize. No journalist will copy a style or do a copy/paste of somebody job. So why some of my collegue don't have more respect for other original ideas? 

Sydney Opera and Harbor bridge at sunset - 24 Feb 2006

When I was Alinghi team photographer , I have been asked in Valencia to copy Carlo, and do photos with waves as Carlo do. I have always said no. Not I was not able to do the photo, but it was an idea devellop by an other photographer, and did not want to copy him. An other photographer did it for the team , and it was not Carlo. The Team should have asked Carlo to do it, but in AC world it was not possible for Carlo to work with us ... so the team should not have that image.

How can we value our job, if we do not have respect between us. Competition is a big part of our professional life, so guys, please respect yourself and other. I do not think it's fair to copy .

To buy all equipment do not make you a photographer. 

Am I stupid? Possible but for me respect is more important...

Back home , for few days only...

Round the Island Race - Isle Of Wight -UK

Since last post I have been on report nearly all the time.

Audi MedCup had started,so I am busy. On top The Transat start in Plymouth, Shoot for BT , Archipelago raid ( one of my favorite report every year) and Now just back from UK where I did Round The Island Race for organisation (Thanks Lucy and Jo, I love that event.) and spent a long week in Weymouth -UK for Moth World.Waiting wind to calm down... (Only 2 days racing on a week)

That Class is still the same even with a double size entry list. I wish new "foilers" will keep same spirit which make the success of that brilliant class. Fight hard when sailing on water ( as a gentleman) and share all trick and fun onshore before and after racing. 

Next Year Moth World will be in USA and I will do my best to be there. I got a great help and Welcome form every body at the Academy. Thanks George , your team and all volonteers . 

Next will be Puerto Portals MedCup from Sunday. 

as the same time since Dec , I am folowwing renovation of my new office. Hope it will be finish next month. will say more about it soon.

Moth World in Weymouth-UK.

Antigua, London...

I had a good time ( a bit short) in Antigua for Classic Week. 

these boats a great for photos. Only 2 J Class, but it was magic for images.

I had booked heli for last day of racing ( you need to book long time in advance) and have not been lucky.

It have been heavy rain all night before, and until 10.30 in morning. 

Amory the kid was with me, and we decied to cancel flight , waiting the last minute , in case weather have quickly change. 

Onne onboard J-Class "Velsheda" 

Night before I had diner with 2 great friends photographers , Rick  and Onne.

And guess what photographers speak about during diner ? Photography and cameras off course. 

Pizza was very good , and company very nice. 

"SUGABABES" with Tower Bridge and umbrella

On 29 April I was in London for BT Open 60' launch . funny time to chnage cap and become a "people" photographer. English girls band "SUGABES" was there to sing on board boat as the open 60' was motoring under Tower Bridge. 

Before we had an photo oportunity . 

25 UK photographers were there. To be honest I have been very impress by the way they are organise. Normally in that kind of shoot, it's a war. like a rudgy game. Not at all now. One of them take all press card of photographers and do one after one take one of his pocket , give it back to the photographer who go to choose where he will stand to do the job. Very good and very impressive. It was far from that system in Spain...

Result: every body do a good job. BRAVO!

Ellen and media....

Tomorrow I will spend some time with 2006 Moth World Champion Si Payne , to do some more Moth foiler photos....in Hayling Island Sailing Club. 

2008 World is coming. I'll be there! Can not miss that.

Still on the road... as always!

Today I had experienced one more time , English road system... 

I know it's a long week end, but as always it was traffic jam. 

I love UK, and I have spent a year in Cowes on Isle of Wight but for my point of view there is 2 problem in that country:

Trains and roads systems.

Or, we are very lucky in France to have so great roads, and on time trains.

Anyway, my feeling is that UK is loosing a lot in energy, fuel, and time because of that so poor roads network. 

How many hours lost in traffic jam ? How much extra pollution ? How much money  the country pay for that? ( Workers time lost in traffic) how much it's the extra price to carry merchandise  between big cities?

On monday I will have to drive from Southampton to Plymouth , my plan is to go on the road not too late, so I could take it easy. There is 370 kms, it should take me 5 hours... Yes 5 hours. in France it take me less of that, to do Locmariaquer / Paris ( 500kms)

Positive thing is that SUN is back!

Back on the road again...

After Dubai week shoot, I have been for some time in office , editing  and preparing next reports.

Logistic is a big part of organizing my job. I am very lucky to have Anne my assistant who is not much travelling, but become an expert in European Airline timetable and all crazy thing happening when you are working with somebody like me who spend more days out of France than in Office.

Last trip to Miami ( Star Worlds and Farr 40 world) with a following trip to Antigua ( Antigua Classic Week) did not have been an easy one.

For me the Miami to Antigua ( I did it with "Amory the Kid") turn to a nightmare.

Things happen some time, but for sure you can not trust any more Airline companies. You pay you ticket 2 months in advance and when your trip start you become hostage of the company.

Any thing happen it's never there fault...

All travellers know that, but my feeling is , that's becoming harder and harder to travel. 

Just imagine what it is evry time I check in with 40 to 45 Kgs of luggages, and a photo bag around 15/17 kgs, plus a 600mn lenses on my shoulder. Sometime I pay more excess luggages than flight ticket...( why don't we get airmiles for excess , I could double my airmiles like that!)

To do short, AA flight in Miami was late, missed connexion in San Juan, arrived in Antigua at 22:30 but without luggages, and on top I lost my French mobile phone in San Juan. There is better trip. Trip back from Antigua to home took me 27 hours door to door.

Yann Elies...Lorient 7 April.

On 7 April I did a studio photo shoot in Lorient (FRA) with Yann Elies , skipper of "GENERALI".  

Nice time! and allways make me happy to work with nice and cool people. I did that as part of Sea&Co photographer. Gilles Martin Raget is "GENERALI" but it's happen some time 

After I have been in UK for a shoot with "BT" Xtrem 40 in Weymouth. in one day we did , onboard , from rib and from the air ! and with some luck we had all day a good weather.

BT Xtrem 40 in Weymouth

More tomorrow....

Great sailing moment with Foilers in DUBAI (UAE)

Boats at Dubai Offshore Sailing Club before sailing.

Rohan adding Race partner sticker on Sam's mainsail.

Since I did my first International Moth's photo ( for Voiles & Voiliers - FRA) in 2005 , I have to do and do again photos of these so special boats. It was  the goal of my trip in Dubai.

Moth foilers are very interesting boats. 

First time you see a Moth FLYING  it's magic. 

You don't realize but there is no noise! 

Only the two blades cutting the water ( Dagger-board and Rudder).

On my website you will find many images of Moth Foilers.

I would like to thanks sailors. One more time they helped me so much in my job. That class is so enthusiastic, and always ready to go sailing to do images. Not surprising that there is more  and more Moth flying. It's contagious.

I have special thanks for Chris  who came to pick me at the airport , even it was 23:00 and to Froud family , Lindsey and Roy who gave me a room and a so nice welcome during that week in Dubai.

Racing was organise at Dubai Offshore sailing Club. What a perfect spot. Great ambiance, great food, you feel like an UK Sailing club.

Always great to see a club promoting Youth sailing as they do.

Bora on his Bladerider from water level.

on Second day , it was windy, (12/15 knots NW). an attempt to bit Rohan Veal's Record around the "WORLD" was plan. we left early and 3 boats took part of that attempt.

Sam England (AUS), Bora Gulari (USA) and local Chris Graham (UAE).

Rohan Veal (AUS) was my rib driver. When we arrived at NW point of the World  swell was big for these dinghies. between 1.5m and 2m and not always organize sea.

Sam at North West point of the "WORLD" in 2m swell.

The WORLD in Dubai ©Nakheel (more info)

With the rib we did a stop to do some photos of Moth in swell and had a hard time to catch up.

Chris did a piece on that day on his blog.

In the afternoon, after a nice lunch at the club, I did a cool photoshoot for Musto Australia with Rohan and Moth sailors (Gybe, etc...) in  a good light.

In Dubai it's not possible to do a serious photo before 16:00. Sky look always white and light is very hard.

One more time it have been a great pleasure to photograph these sailors on their crazy flying boats. For sure I will be in Weymouth (UK) for 2008 World. 

I missed 2007 World as I was in Valencia shooting America's Cup 2007.

First "flight" for Nick Froud (12 years old)

10 second between  2 photos.

Hard to go back to Optimist after this !!??

Want more info on Moth Foilers?? here are some links:

The International Moth Class Association

Moth Class France

Moth Class UK

Dubai RC44 Cup

During the week in Dubai I did few days at Dubai RCC44 Cup. I did Like it.  

I was cool to be with some friends as Bernard, APP guys and  many AC Sailors. 

Nice boat and all sailors enjoyed it.

Dubai RC44 Cup, during last racing day:

onboard "Team Hiroshi-Citta di Milano" winning boat .

Busy in Dubai....

I am in Dubai , shooting Moth Foiler and also Dubai RC44 Cup.

Will be back in Europe on Sunday 9th so I will do my best to write more later.

Th

Under water photography in Bahamas

Right eye of a Stingray. 

EOS 1DS MarkII, 100mn macro, 2 flashes (left one TTL, right one manual 1/2)

other angle of previous image. 

Since March 2007 have not be doing under water photography. I am still a beginner, but I love it. So I am back in Nassau to Stuart Cove's where I did my under water photography course with Sally. Every year I have been back here to keep learning, that a so hard job. It's a big challenge to learn something when you pass 50.... and underwater photography is very demanding. 

I did start to do a PADI in Cairn (AUS) and in september 2006 I came here for a week. I had only 15 dives... not much but I could not wait to do images under after 20 years shooting boats from the surface or from the air. 

Scuba diving is a magic way to discover the sea life .

I had the choice to buy a new camera an the housing.I have already a lot of camera, so I decided to keep my Canon EOS1DS Mark II and buy the SEACAM housing for it. At the end I got for nearly the same price a great under water system with the best digital camera which was on the market at that time ( now the Mark III is probably the best one).

Last winter I spent a lot of time in Maui (Hawaii) practicing under water photography in the morning  , and shooting windsurfers at Hookipa beach in the afternoon. My main goal at that time was to try to do heli shoot of surfers in JAWS.But Jaws does not happen often. I did 2 time from heli and one time from the cliff with the help of my great friend Jono Knight and the Hawaian frenchy Charles Oreve both very good windsurf photographers ( you will find images on my website).

For under water photo there is not secret , you need to practice, practice and more practice.

When I arrived in Nassau last week I did find hard to shoot again. 

9 months busy shooting AC in Valencia, Medcup, Barcelona World Race and other races. 

All my reflex where gone. after 4 dives it was slowly coming back. 

Two Scrawled Filefish 

 EOS 1DS markII, 100mn Macro, 2 Canon Flashes (left one TTL, right one manual 1/2)

Juvenile Filefish 

EOS 1DS Mark II, 100mn macro, with 2 flashes (left one TTL, right one manual 1/2)

It's always hard to make a choice before a dive. what lens?? 

14mn, zoom 16/35 or 100mn macro ??? 

When you have the macro you meet big animals and when you have the 14mn you see very small fishes. And impossible to change any thing when you have started your dive.

When I got the Seacam housing I choosen to go for flashes housing. That's mean I have housing to put the flashes I use every day. The good thing is that you got TTL light control on one flash ( great in macro) and must use the second flash in manual ( I set up second flash half power in manual). With 14mn or 16/35 mn lenses I use 2 flashes in manual, 1 full power, and the 2nd one half power. 

On 26th Jan I did 4 dives and the last one was on the 2 boats wreck.  With my body we visited inside  and we find a room with 10 Lionfishes and some maquerel  chassing for lunch.

Inside a wreck, lunch time for Lionfish and friends...

EOS1DS mark II, 16/35mn with Super Dome and 2 flashes manual.

On the way to the surface we met that group of Atlantic Spadefish which let me come very close for few minutes... that's make a good day.

School of Atlantic Spadefish.

EOS 1DS MarkII 16/35mn with Super Dome and 2 flashes manual.

Don't forget , comments are welcome! 

Brest 20 Jan 2008... short sleep for a long day.

On Saturday 19 Jan I left La Trinite sur Mer with Eric in his chopper. First stop have been Quimper airport where we did refuel. the idea was to do a flight over Francis Joyon and his maxi trimaran "IDEC" before sunset. With Eric we have been working all week to calculate and try to organise that photo shoot offshore. Jean-Yves Bernot have been a great help. Advising me on possible route of Francis in last 2 days before the finish line. the question was : finish by daylight or not. 

First part of the night (Before 23.00) or after midnight????

With Eric we were ready to go offshore around 120 Nautical miles. unfortunetly, Francis was still 160 NM before sunset. 

So impossible mission...

Francis did arrived 40mn after midnight. with his maxi trimaran he did an arrival on Sunday morning in Brest port ( by daylight).

I did photos of his entrance in Brest with a special guest onboard heli, Ellen MacArthur who was the record owner before Francis.

Ellen was impress by Francis result, and probably sad, but with big respect for Francis. she always have said that a record is made to be broken.

Some media said that she will go again to take that record back in 2009. it's just bullshit!!!

she don't know what she will do after her actual projects (untill end of 2009) will be over.

So why some journalist have to change words? she was not very happy about that. 

Now I am packing to go tomorrow for some under water photography in Nassau (Bahamas).

will be good to dive in 25°C water.

Short video made with CanonG9 by Ellen and I.

like a tourist in London...

Tower Bridge - London - Jan 2008. (EOS 1DS Mark III )

On Friday (11th Jan) I spent all afternoon at  London Boat show,where I met lots of friends.

London boat show is much smaller than Paris boat show, but I like to go there as in one day I can see many people. After a beer at Guiness tent and an happy hour as always at Henry Lloyd I had  Diner with some Volvo friends and I was back ( not too late ) in hotel next to Tower bridge.

On Saturday I played tourist in London, testing my new camera , the Fabulous Canon EOS 1DS Mark III.

21 million pixels, and many good change!

I got he camera end of Dec , but did not have possibility to test it. Bigger screen, much easier to use than Mark II which was my favorite camera ( before I got the mark III). I will keep one Mark II as my housing (Seacam) is for Mark II, but I am sure Mark III will be a great camera for under water photography with the new Seacam housing which should come out soon.

Now I am back in Locmariaquer, waiting for Francis Joyon to finish his Solo Round the World Record attempt. All nearly ready, Helicopter in stand by and crossing finger Francis will finish  with his mast staying up until  the finish line near Brest (FRA). 

He is doing an impresive great job , and deserve to take back this Record from Ellen hands...

Clown fish - Maldives. March 2007.  

EOS1 DS Mark II  , Macro Lens 100mn in SEACAM Housing  with 2 Canon Flash