PORTRAIT. “I do not see them arriving”: photographer and former apnea champion, he captures athletes from the water

A great specialist in apnea (he participated in two world championships in Italy. Moreover, Japan), Frank Caillet gradually turned to aquatic photography. However, Inhabited by great creativity, he explores the universe of photography. However, Bubbling with ideas and ambition, he had to satisfy his artistic instinct and his need for expression.

For more than 10 years. Consequently, he has therefore been practicing his activity as a professional photographer, specializing in aquatic photo (called “Underwater”). Furthermore, It is the only certified hyperbaric diver in the Great South West. Therefore, He could therefore not miss portrait. “i do not see the world canoe-kayak world championships which stood in Foix on the rebech basin. However, “I went to training out of curiosity and to see how it was going.”

Except, that he had neither authorizations nor law. “So I went to apologize to the organizers, the French Federation and the International Federation. Suddenly, they saw the stereotypes that I had posted on social networks and they told me that they were interested. So we agreed with slots so that I could come back. And that’s what I did (laughs).” A great first. “I was told that it had never been done, I was very surprised.”

A big part of surprise, of uncertainty – Portrait. "i do not see

Last weekend, here he portrait. “i do not see is throwing himself in the water. With curiosity. “I had never taken pictures in water with current. And on Sunday, after the thunderstorms of the day before, there were. We had to hang on (laughs). You have to choose your ballast so as not to be swept away by the current.” Its camera is sheltered in a specially designed underwater box. “It weighs a little, manipulation is a bit complicated.”

By respecting the safety instructions, Frank can move throughout the basin, never far from athletes. With a main constraint: “I don’t see them arriving. They missed it very quickly next to me.” Even if he is experienced, he knows, his clichés, bordering on the water, remain random. “It is the water that draws the final photo. There is also a big part of surprise, of uncertainty. From an artistic point of view. I found it pretty even if we did portrait. “i do not see not see the underside of the kayaks or the paddles.”

A unique experience that attracted it. “I really liked it. This aquatic environment interests me enormously. We then exchanged a lot with the organizers, for example to improve the safety of a photographer in the water.” A collaboration could be implemented in the future. “It was a world premiere.” And it was on the Rebech basin, in Foix.