Vertica

Manta Paul doesn’t just photograph the ocean, he becomes part of it. A British artist now based in Baja California, he moves through the sea as a freediver with nothing but his breath, no bubbles, no tanks, no barriers between himself and the creatures he seeks to capture. The result is photography that feels alive, intimate, and completely immersive.

One of the most extraordinary examples of his work is La Leche Materna, capturing humpback whale milk suspended in the deep blue. This fleeting, almost invisible moment becomes something magical through Paull’s lens. Whale milk isn’t just food, it’s a lifeline, rich and creamy with a fat content of 45, 60%, nourishing calves while fostering a profound bond between mother and child. Through these images, we witness tenderness, care, and connection in the vastness of the ocean, and Paull transforms it into art that feels both delicate and monumental.

Freediving adds layers of challenge, and intimacy, to his work. With limited bottom time, shifting buoyancy, and hands split between equalizing and holding the camera, every shot is a mix of patience, athleticism, and instinct. Without the noise and bulk of scuba gear, Paull moves like another creature of the sea, allowing marine life to behave naturally. The result is images that feel alive, emotional, and full of motion. He works with two main setups: a Canon 5DSR with an 8, 15mm fisheye and a Sony a9 with a 16, 35mm G lens, both in Nauticam housings, and both relying entirely on ambient light. This approach captures the ocean’s true colours, the subtle play of sunlight, and the energy of every encounter.

Paul regularly exhibits his work in Mexico and beyond, bringing the giants of the ocean into galleries and collectors’ living spaces. For him, freediving isn’t just a technique, it’s a philosophy. It’s about presence, patience, and becoming part of the environment, you’re documenting. His work lets us experience the wonder, intimacy, and beauty of the underwater world in ways that feel personal, emotional, and unforgettable.