About JP

Born in France, I learnt to dive in 1980 to follow my father’s footsteps.

JP trenque

After moving to the UK in 1994, I became a diving instructor and spent my holidays teaching people to dive. I also developed an interest in underwater videography, which I thought would be a great tool to share my passion of the underwater environment and would allow me to show non divers how beautiful and fragile coral reefs are. Soon, I realised that, although I could obtain some decent footage, I often struggled to put it together into an interesting story. So I switched to still underwater photography in 2003 with a Nikon D100 and started attending BSoUP meetings on a regular basis. Listening to speakers such as Linda Dunk, Linda Pitkin or Alex Mustard offered a major source of inspiration.

Having retired as Chairman of the British Society of Underwater Photographers, I spend much of my spare time taking photos underwater, either in the UK or abroad and I organise photographic trips with Hidden Depths Dive Tours.

Working as a volunteer RNLI crewmember on the Thames has also given me access to new photographic opportunities, which I hope to explore further in the future.

Publications & Talks

  • Diver Magazine – Survivor (photos) – April 2014
  • BBC One – Keeping Britain Safe 24/7 (documentary) – December 2013
  • Be Happy Magazine – My Life (article) – April 2012
  • Planeta Océano – Art Ocean (exhibition) – January 2012
  • Marine Conservation Society – London – Pilot Whales of Gibraltar (talk) – September 2009
  • BBC One – The Marchioness: A Survivor’s Story (photography) – 13 October 2009
  • Dive Magazine – Pilot Whales of Gibraltar (article) – September 2009
  • Dive Magazine – Sounding out the Bowbelle (article) – September 2009
  • The Observer Magazine – Staying afloat (photo)- August 2009
  • The Big Issue – North – Sea change (photo)- August 2009
  • BSoUP – British Splash-In Championship review (Talk) – July 2009
  • DIVE – The Ultimate Guide – Layang Layang (book chapter + photos) – November 2008
  • Dive Magazine – Diving Virgins (Short Article) – September 2008 issue
  • Sport Diver Magazine – In search of sharks – Layang Layang (article) – April 2008 issue
  • Birmingham outdoor show, NEC – Underwater photography around the British isles (Talk) – March 08
  • EMUP, Stoney Cove – Underwater photography in Britain & Scapa Flow (Talks) – January 08
  • DIVE Magazine – GB Dives: Favourite dive sites to take pictures (article) – January 2008
  • In Focus – BSoUP 40th anniversary (article) – January 2008
  • Birmingham Dive Show – Diving in Malaysia (Talk) – October 2007
  • Sport Diver Magazine – The wonders of the Yucatán (article) – September 2007
  • In Focus – Digital Asset Management (article) – July 2007
  • DIVE Magazine – Front cover – May/June 2007
  • DIVE Magazine – Cheeky dive Cancun – (text and photo) – May/June 2007
  • Scuba Diver Australasia (photo) – April/May 2007
  • Alert Diver (DAN Europe) – Front cover – April 2007
  • BSoUP – Digital Asset Management II (talk) – March 2007
  • Dive Red Sea – The ultimate guide (photos for book) – March 2007
  • BSoUP – Digital Asset Management I (talk) – January 2007
  • BBC News website – Life beneath the waves (portfolio) – January 2007
  • DIVE Magazine – Why diving is better than ever (text) – December 2006
  • Visions in the Sea – D.A.M for UW photographers (talk)- November 2006
  • UWP Mag, Digideep – Sea & Sea DX-D200 review (text + photos) – July 06
  • Salisbury College – A journey in underwater photography – May 2006
  • La Repubblica, Italy – Portfolio of 12 images – March 2006
  • BBC News website – Out of the blue (Portfolio) – March 2006
  • DIVE Magazine – Big Shot (double-page spread photo)- February 2006
  • UWP Mag – Book review (text) November/December 2005
  • Vanity Fair – Vanity Portfolio (double-page spread photo) – November 2005
  • BSoUP – Monochrome photography (talk) – October 2005
  • UWP Mag – Book review (text) July 2005
  • Sport Diver Magazine – Magic Mabul (text) – December 2004
  • In Focus – Digital u/w photography for dummies (text) – May 2004
  • Sport Diver Magazine – Wakatobi (text) – 2004
  • Sport Diver Magazine – Coral Sea (text) – 2003
  • Sport Diver Magazine – Diving with Disabilities (text) – 2002

Awards

October 2009

  • Photosub digital competition – Winner

December 2008

February 2008

  • Photosub annual competition – Winner (Blue water advanced)

August 2007

  • Sport Diver photographer of the year – Runner-up

July 2007

March 2007

January 2007

December 2006

  • BSAC Travel Club – 3rd (Travel Club Photographic Award 2006 – advanced category)

August 2006

July 2006

January 2006

November 2005

September 2005

  • Farne Islands Splash-in -Winner (wide angle) and Runner-up (Overall image)

August 2005

  • St Abbs Splash-in – Winner (Digital Marine Life Portrait) and Winner (Best Overall Digital)
  • BSAC Travel Club – Winner(Travel Club Photographic award 2005 -August)

March 2005

January 2005

  • BSAC Travel Club – Winner (Travel Club Photographic award 2005 – January)

December 2004

  • BSAC Travel Club – Winner (Travel Club Photographic award 2005 – December)

October 2004

March 2004

  • Photosub 13th annual competition – Winner (Blue Water Slides)