French underwater photographer based in Tahiti, Fabien Michenet specializes in blackwater photography and abyssal fauna.
Fabien Michenet is a passionate French underwater photographer based in Tahiti, in the heart of the tropical Pacific. Trained as an ENT doctor, since 2006 he has devoted himself to underwater photography, in particular the blackwater technique, which involves capturing marine life in deep, murky waters. Thanks to his nocturnal freedives and scuba dives, he reveals a fascinating universe: fish larvae, translucent squid, bioluminescent jellyfish and other little-known species populating the ocean depths.
His work highlights the richness and fragility of abyssal fauna and marine ecosystems, while combining scientific rigor with aesthetic appeal. Fabien Michenet also explores oceanic vertical migration, the natural phenomenon whereby many species return to the surface each night. This immersive and respectful approach enables him to capture unique images that have been recognized in several international competitions.
In 2023, his image of sea lions hunting a shoal of sardines in Mexico won him first prize in the traditional category of the Masters Underwater Imaging Competition. He had already won in 2019 for his photo of the rare abyssal fish “Snaketooth Swallower”. That same year, he published Le Peuple des Abysses - La grande migration verticale, a book co-written with Anthony Berbérian, the fruit of numerous night dives to discover abyssal marine life.
A renowned underwater photographer, Fabien Michenet helps to raise public awareness of the beauty and vulnerability of marine environments, making his images a powerful tool for communicating and protecting the ocean.
Deep : -20m
BBC Wildlife photographer of the [...]
