Thai Teen Phenom Panitbhand Paribatra "Pari" Na Ayudhya Crowned Hasselblad Masters 2026 Champion
The world of underwater photography has a new star, and at just 14 years old, Panitbhand Paribatra, affectionately known as Pari, has officially made his mark on the international stage. Late last month, Pari achieved a monumental victory, clinching the prestigious Project // 21 category at the Hasselblad Masters 2026 photo contest. This accolade is not merely a single achievement but the latest in a rapidly growing list of accolades for the young Thai prodigy, signaling a bright and impactful future in his photographic journey.
Pari’s success in the Hasselblad Masters is particularly noteworthy given the contest’s esteemed reputation. The Hasselblad Masters Awards are widely recognized as one of the most significant and influential photography competitions globally, celebrating excellence and innovation across various genres. The Project // 21 category, specifically designed to highlight emerging talent aged 21 and under, provided a platform for Pari to showcase his extraordinary vision and technical prowess. His triumph in this fiercely competitive arena, against a pool of talented young photographers from around the globe, underscores his exceptional skill and unique artistic perspective.
A Journey of Discovery and Dedication
Pari’s foray into the underwater world began with a deep-seated love for the ocean. He recalls his early fascination stemming from documentaries and a natural inclination to explore marine life. "I have always liked the ocean, spending time in the ocean," Pari shared in an interview with PetaPixel. "Long before I started diving, I knew I had to do something to pay back what the ocean gave to me." This profound connection to the marine environment has been the driving force behind his photographic endeavors.
His journey into diving commenced at the earliest age legally permitted – ten years old. Quickly earning his scuba diving certification, Pari’s dedication to mastering the underwater environment was evident as he soon added a diving rescue certification. This dual commitment to both diving proficiency and photographic artistry laid the groundwork for his remarkable achievements. He emphasized the importance of practice, stating, "I just practiced and practiced and practiced."
Initially, like many budding photographers, Pari began by documenting his underwater experiences with an action camera. "I always had an action camera," he explained. "I just thought I would record what happened out there." However, the desire to capture more compelling and artistic images soon took hold. He described his early attempts as "really bad," which spurred a determination to improve. This initial setback fueled his passion, leading him to refine his techniques and invest in more advanced equipment. "I had to improve," Paribatra laughed. "Then it went on, and I started really liking it."
His transition to more serious photography led him to embrace a Nikon Z8 camera, often paired with a Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S macro lens. This choice of a macro lens, rather than the more conventional wide-angle lenses often favored by underwater photographers, speaks volumes about Pari’s artistic focus. He explained his preference: "I need to get really close-up shots of tiny subjects, and if I need more space, I can always swim farther away." This approach allows him to capture the intricate details and often-overlooked beauty of small marine creatures. His setup is further enhanced by a pair of Kraken strobes and a video light, enabling him to illuminate the depths and bring out the vibrant colors of his subjects.
The Art of Blackwater Diving and Innovative Techniques
Pari’s award-winning series of three photographs was captured during a blackwater dive in the Philippines. Blackwater diving, an advanced and specialized form of night diving, involves floating in the open ocean over extreme depths, typically hundreds of meters. This unique environment is a nocturnal feeding ground for many deep-sea creatures, attracted by artificial lights that draw plankton and subsequently, larger organisms.
"We were in the middle of the ocean, waiting for creatures to come up at night," Pari recounted. His winning approach involved an innovative adaptation of existing techniques. While initial attempts with a standard flash and slow shutter speed yielded chaotic results, Pari ingeniously improvised. He combined a video light with filters and a slow shutter speed, concluding the exposure with a flash to retain subject detail. "So I improvised with a video light and filters, and I put the filter on during the slow shutter, and then ended my photo with flash to keep the details," he elaborated. This creative problem-solving, executed in challenging conditions, highlights his technical acumen and artistic vision.
The subjects of his award-winning series are testament to his focus on the miniature wonders of the ocean. The octopus, which appears imposing in the photograph, was remarkably small, "just about the size of a ping-pong ball." This fascination with macro subjects was further cemented by an early encounter with a sea slug. "It was a sea slug," Pari recalled. "I saw it on documentaries, and I was like, ‘Wow, this thing actually exists, and you can actually see it.’ So I was like, ‘I have to take a photo of this.’ And then I took it, and it came out very blurry. It was very bad. So the next time I went out, I had to make it better." This early experience with a blurry sea slug photo ignited his drive for photographic perfection.
Navigating the Challenges of Underwater Photography
Despite his remarkable success, Pari is quick to acknowledge the inherent difficulties of underwater photography. "It’s hard because you can’t control a lot of things," he stated. Unlike terrestrial photography, controlling the environment is a constant battle. "You can control the light, but you can’t control the water. If the water isn’t cooperating, it’s really hard to do anything."
Visibility is a significant challenge, with suspended particles often obscuring the subject. Furthermore, the subjects themselves are almost perpetually in motion, requiring immense patience and quick reflexes from the photographer. "The subject is moving, we’re moving, and sometimes the conditions aren’t great. You’re just not always going to get photos, and that’s really disappointing," Pari admitted.
A deep respect for marine life guides his interactions. As an Ocean Ambassador for the Manta Trust and a Young Shark Ambassador for Fins Attached Marine Research and Conservation, Pari prioritizes the well-being of his subjects. He never stresses them out, understanding that the best shots often come when the creatures approach him on their own terms. This requires him to be constantly prepared. "I practice on the person next to me or a rock or something to make sure the settings are perfect first, because a shark isn’t going to stick around long," he explained. "So if it does, I’m ready and just try to find the angle and click because I can’t set anything up on my camera after the shark shows up." This readiness and preparedness are crucial, especially when encountering larger, faster-moving marine animals like sharks.
A Strategic Approach to Competition
Pari’s strategic thinking extends beyond his dive techniques. To prepare for the Hasselblad Masters, he meticulously studied past winners. "I looked at all the categories, and I saw there’s this pattern in which all the photos have to be unique, but they also have to go along with each other," he observed. This analysis led him to understand the importance of a cohesive series. For the Hasselblad Masters, photographers are required to submit a series of three images. Pari’s selection criteria focused on creating a collection where each image was strong individually but also complemented the others aesthetically. "They all look similar but they’re all different in a way," he noted, reflecting his understanding of thematic unity within a portfolio.
His humble reaction to winning highlights his genuine surprise and respect for his fellow competitors. "I was really glad I made it to the finalists," Pari told PetaPixel. "I didn’t expect to win because there were really good other photographers I was competing with. I just thought, ‘It was really good that I made it to the finalists.’ I just didn’t expect to make it to the top." The prize itself, a €5,000 creative fund and a high-end Hasselblad camera system, further underscores the significance of his victory.
Broader Impact and Future Aspirations
Pari’s success is more than just a personal triumph; it serves as an inspiration to a new generation of environmental advocates and artists. His dedication to using photography as a tool for ocean conservation is evident in his ongoing initiatives. He has presented at numerous events and recently hosted a photo exhibition in Bangkok titled "Pay Back to the Ocean." "Other people do stuff with data and science and awareness. But I just thought that photography – I enjoy photography – so I want to use that and do something good for the ocean," he stated.
While his passion for photography is undeniable, Pari is thoughtful about his long-term career aspirations. He expresses a desire to continue his work related to the ocean, potentially in a scientific field, but emphasizes that photography will likely remain a cherished hobby rather than his sole profession. "I want to improve, I want to get better," Pari said of his photography. "But I also want to enjoy it in a way that it might not be the number one job in my life. Because when it becomes a commitment, and something I have to do a lot, I won’t enjoy it as much. I think it’s a number one hobby, but not everything in my life."
This balanced perspective suggests a mature understanding of passion and profession, ensuring that his love for the ocean and photography can coexist sustainably. Regardless of his ultimate career path, Pari Paribatra possesses the talent, drive, and dedication to make a significant positive impact. His journey, marked by early passion, relentless practice, innovative spirit, and a profound respect for the marine world, is a compelling narrative of young talent making waves in both the art and conservation communities.
For those interested in following Pari’s underwater adventures and witnessing his evolving photographic artistry, he can be found on Instagram @pelagic_captures, and his official website is pariocean.com.
Image credits: All photos by Panitbhand Paribatra "Pari" Na Ayudhya.
