1898 Louis Boutan – Underwater Photography

The first successful underwater photograph overcame technical barriers, giving rise to a new era of marine science and artistic discovery.

The journey to successful underwater photography began in 1856 with William Thompson’s early attempts, but it was Louis Boutan, a French biologist and photographer, who achieved the first true breakthrough. In 1893, Boutan developed a zero-pressure underwater camera with a frame size of 5×7 inches and exposure times of up to 30 minutes, overcoming the immense technical challenges of photographing beneath the surface. His most notable achievement came in 1898 when he used a magnesium powder flash system to capture the image of a diver, marking the first time both the camera and the photographer were submerged.

Boutan’s innovative approach transformed underwater photography, pushing the boundaries of what was possible both artistically and scientifically. His work culminated in the publication of the first book on underwater photography in 1899, and slides of his images were showcased at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris, bringing this new visual realm to a global audience. By pioneering underwater photography, Boutan opened new avenues for exploration and laid the foundation for modern techniques in both marine biology and artistic expression.

Credit: Louis Boutan, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Author: Louis Boutan
Title: Photographie sous-marine (underwater photography)
Date: 1899
Archive: Spiridon Manoliu's pictures
Source: https://archive.org/details/laphotographieso00bout/page/178/mode/2up
Original file: 1,652 × 2,142 pixels, file size: 708 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg
Available information: Emil Racovitza as diver at Observatoire océanologique de Banyuls-sur-Mer. The upside down sign the man is holding says ‘Photographie sous-marine’ (underwater photography).

Image credit left: 1856 William Thompson, First underwater photograph attempt using a wet colloidion glass plate camera. Image credit middle: Rijksmuseum, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Image credit right: 1893 Louis Boutan, Louis Boutan self-portrait in 1893 (Public Domain). https://monovisions.com/louis-boutan-biography-19th-century-pioneer-of-underwater-photography/