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Featured Underwater Photographer – Gaby Barathieu
One of the best ways to learn photography is to see other photographers’ work. We try to find some of the best underwater photographers in the world, and showcase their work, along with the gear they use, to help other aspiring photographers improve, learn new skills and get inspired.
This week we will feature the talented Gaby Barathieu!
About Gaby
Born June 2nd 1983, Gabriel Barathieu spent his childhood alongside the Atlantic ocean in the family house located in the Landes, only steps away from the ocean.
It was in 1999, on Reunion Island, when he discovered the wonderful underwater world.
10 years later he decided to make it his home.
Once back, he rediscovered the beauty of scuba diving, getting his level 1 and 2 certifications along the way.
Very quickly he felt the indescribable need to share those hidden treasures hiding under the water through his lens.
Gabriel and Scuba Diving
He first invested in a basic kit: a small Canon compact camera with a housing.
Still not very comfortable with the photography part, he quickly realized that underwater photography is becoming his second passion. Perfect sequel to discovering the underwater world.
A year later, Gabriel invested in a professional underwater rig:
- Canon 5D Mark II
- Subal Housing
- 2 Subronic strobes
Several hundred dives and a few thousand pictures later he became a rebreather certified diver and discovered bubble free diving in 2013.
Next he got his Trimix Normoxique certification that allowed him to dive down to 70m (230ft).
Sadly, he suspended his deep diving activities in 2015 after the death of a friend and instructor in an accident.
A Dream: Passion To Career
Following the tragic accident, Gabriel quit his job in the public work sector and focused entirely on photography.
At that time he participated in several prestigious photography competitions and quickly gained worldwide recognition. (Oasis photo contest, 2015-2016-2017 ;Trierenberg super circus, 2015-2016 ;Fine art Photography, 2015-2016-2017 ;Nature Image Award, 2016-2017 ; World ocean Day Contest, 2017 ; Mont Photo, 2017 ;Siena International Photography Award, 2017 ;Golden turtle Award, 2017)
He also got published in various scuba diving and photography magazines such as Plongez, Tauchen, EZdive, Practical Photography, Science et Vie, GEO or National geographic.
Forced to resume his former job after 2 years, Gabriel decided to set camp on the island of Mayotte and its magnificent lagoon.
Now more than ever he follows his dream to make a living through his passion and starts deep diving again.
Recognition
At the end of 2016, Gabriel received the tremendous honor of joining the Subal Pro Team (a high-end housing manufacturer).
He then became part of a select group, the best underwater photographers in the world, alongside world-renowned photographers such as Brian Skerry from National Geographic or Alex Mustard to name a few.
In 2017 he won the Underwater Photographer of the year in the underwater photography category.
This title is coveted by underwater photographers all over the world and his recent integration to the Subal Team motivates more than ever to live his passion: underwater photography.
Gaby’s Gear
Gaby uses a Canon 5dsR in a Subal housing, two Subtronic Nova strobes, Canon 100 mm macro , Canon 16-35 f2,8 II, Canon 14 mm, Canon 15 mm fisheye.
Discover Gaby’s website : www.underwater-landscape.com
Visit Gaby’s blog : http://www.blog.underwater-landscape.com/en/
The whale was beating of the tail to the surface of the water. You can see his eye looking at me while she was doing her show | © Gabriel Barathieu
A viper moray in a fire coral hole.
It was really hard to take a picture because it was not really accessible. | © Gabriel Barathieu
Underwater Photographer of the Year 2017 Winning Photo | © Gabriel Barathieu
(amphiprion chrysogaster)
The Maurician clown fish is a hermaphrodite fish | © Gabriel Barathieu
Visit his personal portfolio at www.ranmorphoto.com.
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