Mediterranean Planet

Mediterranean Planet by Laurent Ballesta

Summary:

Can we still produce new images in the Mediterranean? Because men have been traveling there for thousands of years, it is believed to have no secrets. Because they have conquered and abused it, it is believed to be devastated. But nevertheless, the Mediterranean is still a living sea that remains to be explored. In its depths are hidden vast and rich territories that man knows very little about: the coralligenous reefs. These hotspots of biodiversity, as beautiful as coral reefs, are found in the "twilight zone", between 60 and 120 m deep where less than 1% of light reaches.

To study, illustrate, and make known the little-known part of the Mediterranean's underwater riches: this is the challenge that biologist, diver and photographer Laurent Ballesta took on in the summer of 2019 during his latest expedition. Planet Mediterranean recounts this fantastic epic to raise awareness of the treasures of this space. The book is also the conclusion of his long-term work in the Mediterranean Sea and gathers his 200 most beautiful unpublished pictures, from 2010 to today.