Franco Banfi

Franco Banfi was born in Switzerland in 1958 and started diving in 1981. Although in Switzerland there is no sea, there are many lakes and rivers. In one of these lakes Franco learned how to dive and one year later was immersed on the Maldives shooting his first roll of film. Although the rivers aren\\\\\\\'t colourful as many tropical seas, in these waters Franco learned to compose images, looking more at the form, shadow, reflections and light. After a while he started to enter photographic competitions where in some years he won more then hundred prizes all around the world: Europe, Japan, America and New Zealand. In 1992 Franco was called to participate at the World Champion in Cuba where he won first prize World Champion in underwater photography. After this he started to work with magazines and publications. In 1996 Franco published two books about Papua New Guinea edited from White Star Overcall. \\\\\\\"I like almost every kind of picture, from macro to wide-angle, but my favourite shots are wide-angle, underwater landscape with animals and model, light and colours.

A good dive operator has to be professional. He must have a good knowledge of the area where is working, the marine life, weather condition, boat and a good relationship with local people and guides. As a professional underwater photographer I have special and extra needs to cover my assignments. Dive operators who care in understanding and help me in working faster, productive and on the best way to reach the goals get all my support in realize the best reportage I can.