Franck Gazzola Captivates Xposure 2025 with Twilight Zone Underwater Shots

Photo : Sharjah Govt Media Bureau

At the International Photography Festival in Sharjah, Franck Gazzola encouraged photography lovers to focus on capturing real moments rather than staged shots. The Australian-based photographer shared his journey and experiences during his talk, An Odyssey of Change – 10 Years of Oceanic Exploration, at the 9th annual Xposure Festival in Aljada, Sharjah, which runs until February 26.

Gazzola, who started his photography career in 2015, first joined the Under The Pole polar diving expeditions led by Ghislain Bardout and Emmanuelle Périé-Bardout during their second expedition Winter in Greenland. Since then, he has worked on numerous daring missions, capturing the underwater world in extreme conditions.

The Road to Success

Gazzola believes that hard work, determination, and a bit of luck—not just talent—were key to his success. He shared valuable advice for aspiring adventure photographers, stressing the importance of being well-prepared and prioritizing safety.

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“Protect yourself and protect your gear, or it could be the end of your project. Missing a shot is better than risking an accident,” he cautioned.

He also highlighted the importance of educating the crew on using cameras effectively, especially underwater, where communication is extremely limited. He emphasized that documentary photography should be honest, requiring minimal editing, and should take viewers on a journey. “Your achievements are not just about photography but about your values,” he said.

A Passion for the Ocean

Gazzola, originally from Paris, moved to Australia with his wife and settled near Bondi Beach. He had always been drawn to water, even as a child when he had limited access to it. A self-taught photographer, he left a successful corporate career to pursue photography full-time. As a teenager, he captured local beach scenes and submitted his work to Brad Malyon’s Frothers Gallery, which he later purchased. “That was the first step in my evolution. Your first 10,000 photos are your worst,” he reflected.

Overcoming Challenges

Joining Under The Pole required six months of intensive training in sailing, diving, and ice photography. He noted that one of the biggest challenges was working with people, as 80% of the time involved teamwork. Eighteen months after his first expedition, he was invited back as the official photographer for a second mission in Alaska and Greenland. Since then, he has completed four expeditions and faced extreme situations, including being bitten by a shark in French Polynesia while studying corals and living in a cramped underwater capsule for four days with four colleagues.

“I was constantly out of my comfort zone while shooting the twilight zone 85 meters underwater,” he recalled. For him, underwater photography requires deep commitment to reveal hidden wonders beneath the surface.

Pushing Boundaries in Photography

Gazzola finds fulfillment in capturing images in challenging environments. His work has taken him to over 100 meters below the ocean, under sea ice, at the surface where waves crash, and even to 6,000 meters above sea level.

Organized by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), Xposure 2025 features over 100 galleries, showcasing work from more than 300 world-renowned photographers and displaying over 2,500 stunning images. Gazzola’s incredible underwater photography stands out, inspiring audiences to see the world from new perspectives.

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