Charlotte Piho
Charlotte Piho is a multi-international award-winning photographer and is becoming widely recognised as one of the most followed female artists in oceanic photography.
The stories behind each of her timeless images are moving, photographing fearlessly always on a single breath, often at great depths and in untamed environments. Charlotte's art breaks barriers between marine life and people; let's find out more about the story behind these amazing images.
Cook Islands Eagle Rays:
Taken on a single breath 20+ metres in the dark depths – my soul is in this photo. It emanates connection, love, letting go of fear and photographing with my heart, not my head and replacing overthinking with presence. Eagle rays symbolic of emotional freedom are one of the most intelligent animals on the planet. Sensitive to the flow of energy. If you approach them too quickly, their profound graceful movements in unison vanish in a heartbeat - as do they. Move slowly as I did in this photo – they sense your energy, and you will have rare moments of connection.
Technical Info:
Camera: Canon 5D Mark 1V (Lens: EF 35mm f/1.4L USM)
Housing: Aquatech Elite II For Canon 5D Mark IV with a flat port
Settings: Shutter 500; F/2.8; ISO 100
Depth: 20+ metres
Circle Of Love - Turtle and Rays:
I've tried to replicate this same photo, in my efforts I've realised just how special this moment was. Turtles rarely get close to eagle rays. They appear to avoid them. I watched this turtle approaching a fever (school of rays) and timed my descent; as to be directly on top of them as they came into the vortex. It's hard when you're excited about something unfolding to not race to get the shot - but instead, slow down and trust in the journey. Go with the flow.
Technical Info:
Camera: Canon 5D Mark 1V (Lens: EF 35mm f/1.4L USM)
Housing: Aquatech Elite II For Canon 5D Mark IV with a flat port
Settings: Shutter 200; F/2.8; ISO 100
Depth: 20+ metres
Breathe - Turtle:
Over the last two years, I've rarely photographed near the surface as one of my favourite parts of photography is the journey behind the photos. Which for me usually means diving deep into the depths. On my inward journey with my breath ( 70% of the toxins inside of your body are removed through the lungs). I've found myself fascinated and grateful in the simple things; we all too often take for granted. I think breath, whether it's your own or someone else's, is one of the most beautiful things to feel. I love the energy created here with light, breath and water.
Technical Info:
Camera: Canon 5D Mark 1V (Lens: EF 35mm f/1.4L USM)
Housing: Aquatech Elite II For Canon 5D Mark IV with a flat port
Settings: Shutter 60; F/3.2; ISO 100
Depth: Surface
Courage - Whale:
Nothing tops this—the value of pursuing depth in life over materialism. I was paddleboarding outside of the reef on my own, to find myself surrounded by a school of dolphins and then two whales. I ditched my paddleboard and jumped in with my camera. I was willing to lose my board, as to connect and swim with whales is irreplaceable—one of the most beautiful moments of my life. I balled my eyes out photographing - and to this day, this moment continues to be where my mind goes when I want to remember what pure happiness looks like.
Technical Info:
Camera: Canon 5D Mark 1V (Lens: EF 35mm f/1.4L USM)
Housing: Aquatech Elite II For Canon 5D Mark IV with a flat port
Settings: Shutter 60; F/3.2; ISO 100
Depth: Surface