The Garden of Eden

• Prize
  Gold in Nature/Underwater
• Photographer
  Rémi Masson
• Technical Info
  Canon Eos 5d Mark Iv + 15 Mm Fisheye; 1/50 Sec At F/13; Iso 200; Underwater Housing
• Photo Date
  19/06/2018

Among aquatic plants, water lilies form a world apart. Their graphics have inspired the greatest painters and the position of their large floating leaves, a boundary between the terrestrial world and the aquatic world, has a strong symbolic value. My first intention was to photograph the leaves of the water lilies. But once I was under the surface I was surprised to discover that, for a mysterious reason, several lily pads had opened under the water, forming incredible submerged gardens. Everyone will feel free to interpret the symbolism of these flowers that had opened too early...

Rémi Masson is a French diver and photographer. Born in Annecy, in the heart of the Alps, he specializes in underwater photography of mountain lakes, torrents, ponds, and rivers. He is known for his free diving under the ice of high altitude lakes. His photos have been published in leading European magazines. His first book "Eaux douces des Alpes", was published in 2013 by Biotope editions. He is also a cameraman, and has been involved in various TV documentaries (including NHK Japan) and has also been the subject of a documentary broadcast on Canal + in 2017.