Winners Gallery

Fred Buyle is a freediver explorer and a photographer born in 1972. Spending several months per year on the family sailboat he discovers freediving as a child. Between 1994 and 2004 as a pro athlete he sets 4 freediving world records. In 2002 he starts underwater photography working only with a wide angle lens and natural light. Concerned by conservation and environmental issues, in 2005 he starts to work with marine biologists around the world to assist them in their fieldwork. He uses his freediving skills to approach the animals and perform tasks such as acoustic and satellite tagging or DNA sampling. Fred provides his practical knowledge and his extensive experience in the water with large marine life. Fred documents the fieldwork to contribute to conservation on a larger scale through talks and conferences. NGO’s are using his material for their conservation campaigns. His approach to conservation pushes forward the concept of positive imagery versus the catastrophism widely used in the media nowadays.