In episode #61 host Brett Stanley chats with surf and underwater photographer Erick Regnard

Erick, along with his brother Ian, created an underwater housing for a 5×4 large format polaroid camera 20 years ago, and shot some incredible photographs with it in Tahiti.

We talk about how they built the camera and housing, the technical issues they had to overcome, and what it’s like to shoot 1 frame an hour for 3 weeks.

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Episode Summary

In this episode of the underwater podcast, the host Brett Stanley interviews surf and underwater photographer Eric Renard, who along with his brother Ian, built an underwater housing for a 4×5 large format Polaroid camera 20 years ago. They shot breathtaking images in Tahiti, overcoming technical challenges, and capturing photos at a rate of one per hour for three weeks.

Eric discusses the intricacies of their custom-built camera housing, the pros and cons of using a flat port versus a dome port, their meticulous pre-shot preparations, and the emotional and physical demands of the project. They also touch on the philosophical aspects of photography, the transition from film to digital, and the joy of tackling complex projects.

Eric shares insights on their other photographic endeavors, the limitations and occasional frustrations of working with film, and the unique satisfaction derived from creating art the hard way, free from the shortcuts offered by digital technology.

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About Erick & Ian Regnard – Surf & Underwater Polaroid Photographers

Ian & Erick Regnard “I can still hear the ocean in front of our place when I think about it! It’s something you never forget!!

Erick and I, Ian, were born on the island of Mauritius and kind of grew with the acceptance that somehow we were lucky enough to have experienced the freedom to be kids… Influenced by the water adventures of Jacques Yves Cousteau, we started photography in the surfing industry, following a bunch of spoiled egocentric do-whatever-I-want kind of people all around the world and putting up with their antics. Little did we know that this was going to forge what we were good at – a youth orientated photography where we have the know how to speak their language.

And being twins has it’s benefit; Our relationship means everything! We understand each other, we feed off each other but most of all we challenge each other. This relationship thing also intriguely comes into our photography… We love the relationship with the sun, the ocean, the grit of the urban landscape and everything in-between.

What we mean about Genuine, Authentic? Well it’s like pulling into a garage and seing all these mechanics prancing around in Polo shirts. I mean what are they trying to sell?? Wouldn’t it be better to see the mechanic in some dirty dugaries? That tells that he knows he’s stuff right?

We question everything! We push the envelope to the point that some think we are crazy and maybe we are! Crazy enough to go the extra mile to create what we think is a great shot.