Greg Lecoeur, a photographer for the protection of the ocean.

The SeaCleaners - Greg Lecoeur

“ I use the power of images to tell stories about the ocean.”

Greg Lecoeur Photographer

How long have you been in this profession?   

I have always been passionate about diving, photography and marine biology. As a young man, I naturally turned to underwater photography as an amateur and made my way as a self-taught photographer.  

About ten years ago, I decided to take a new turn and change my life. I left everything in France to go around the world, with my backpack and my camera, and when I came back from this trip, I decided to make a profession of my passion 

Was this world tour an eye-opener on what you wanted to do with your life?   

It was a kind of epiphany, through the different countries or oceans I discovered, the human connections I made, and the underwater encounters. I left France without knowing what the future would be like, but it was a dream come true and I didn’t want to look back later to say “I didn’t try”. And today I am a professional photographer. I understood that in life, it is important to give yourself the means to succeed, to give yourself the means to make your dreams come true. You can fail, but at least you tried. And in general, when we do what we like, it works! 

During this world tour or during your various trips, did you witness plastic pollution in the oceans?   

Whether in the water or on land, man’s footprint in nature is always visible. Plastic is a big scourge for the oceans. All the waste ends up in the sea and marine species are heavily impacted. I remember this picture I was able to take in Indonesia of a Sargasso frogfish that was swimming in the middle of the garbage. The animals have to adapt to this new polluted environment.   

During my shootings, I saw a lot of abandoned nets, turtles trapped in plastic bags or bits, in the Mediterranean Sea.  

But I focus on showing positive examples with my photos. I consider that my work, today, is to amaze the general public with images that highlight the beauty of the ocean, to make them aware of this environment. And some actions also give hope: the 1986 moratorium on the ban on whaling for example, which allowed this species to return to its initial stock. There is still time to act, to make important decisions and to make things happen.   

The SeaCleaners - Greg Lecoeur
Poisson grenouille des Sargasses, ©Greg Lecoeur

And in your opinion, what are the solutions to counter this problem?   

I think that the solution to plastic pollution lies mainly in education and changing consumption patterns. Industrialists who produce plastic can produce with alternative or recyclable materials. As for us, as individuals, we must consume differently and wisely.   

What are the rules to follow in underwater photography, to ensure the best respect for the environment and the species you meet?   

When we invite ourselves into the marine environment, it is important to go there with a maximum respect for the species that surround us, and a minimum of impact on the environment. We should not go into the water with the intention of taking out a picture at any cost, but instead let nature take its course and capture the right moment. To do this, we must know the species, document ourselves well before a session, in order to know how they live and behave. And that’s how you will be able to tell a story with a photograph. For me, you can’t steal a photograph, it’s taken naturally, and it doesn’t need a caption to be understood. My most beautiful photos are the result of a situation or an encounter I didn’t expect.   

How is an underwater shooting organized?  

First you need to know which species or family of species you want to photograph; their habitats are different and will therefore determine whether to go offshore or stay along a reef. And of course, you leave with an idea in mind, but it never happens as planned. But often, you come back with different images, which are even more beautiful. This is the trap into which many wildlife photographers fall: they are stubborn with their initial idea and miss what is happening around them. It takes a lot of patience, but passion really takes over. Some shootings can be frustrating: you can go to sea in bad conditions and see nothing, until the moment a perfect situation will present itself to you, if you are patient. Nature is not an exact science. As an underwater photographer, we are dependent on animals and the environment, but in the end, we are never bored, and we always find an interesting situation to photograph!  

What do you prefer to photograph?  

I like everything! From the smallest organisms like plankton to whales. When you take an interest in animals, you realize that they all have very interesting things to offer. Their way of life, their shapes, their colours… A small organism can be as interesting to photograph as a whale, a shark or a turtle.  

The SeaCleaners - Greg Lecoeur
Humpback whale, @Greg Lecoeur

What is the shot that made the most impression on you?  

The most incredible place I have explored is Antarctica. It’s a bubble in the world, very wild, you can clearly understand the impact of human. A unique place in the world, in terms of biomass and biodiversity. I really fell in love with this place. But I think you can be amazed by any place in the world, as long as you stay open-minded 

The SeaCleaners - Greg Lecoeur
Sardine Run @Greg Lecoeur

You told us about Antarctica, a trip during which you captured the “Frozen Mobile Home“, shot that won the Underwater Photography 2020. How long does it take to get the perfect shot?   

This photograph is very special. I went to Antarctica to document the sea leopard, and finally, the most beautiful photo of the series is this encounter with crabeater seals. It was a real gift from nature.   

I would say that the perfect picture does not exist. For me, it is more the interaction, the situation and the context that will create the charm around an animal photograph. 

The SeaCleaners - Greg Lecoeur
Frozen Mobile Home @Greg Lecoeur
The SeaCleaners - Greg Lecoeur
@Greg Lecoeur

You were also awarded two weeks ago at the Siena International Photo Awards 2020. As a recognized photographer, how do you feel about using your notoriety to get your message across?   

I do a job that inspires people. With my small notoriety, or with other underwater actors like Julie Gauthier, we can be ambassadors, through our work, for certain causes, get messages across and set an example. It is very important for me today to promote the beauty of the oceans through photography. I use this medium in the service of the environment, to contribute, in my own way, to the struggles that we must fight at the same time to preserve the oceans.   

And what do you think of the actions and solutions offered more and more by NGOs such as The SeaCleaners?   

I think it’s great that so many people are mobilizing around this essential cause. Ideally, I would like to see all these initiatives come together and foster their ideas to see faster change and have a greater impact.   

The SeaCleaners is a great idea. Taking action on land and at sea by collecting and raising awareness is an inspiring project for future generations, and it’s the children who hold the keys to the future. That’s why it’s important to inspire these young people as you do, so that they succeed in creating a better world.   

 

 Find the story told in pictures by Greg Lecoeur, freediver Guillaume Nery and cameraman Florian Fisher, about their adventure into the white continent.   
An exploration with a single objective: to dive in the icy waters of Antarctica to meet its exceptional underwater fauna and the lord of the place: the Sea Leopard.   
A journey that amazes and questions about the future of an endangered ecosystem.   
>> ANTARCTICA, Available from December 15th.