The Canary Islands, Madeira and Cape Verde

Capturing the magic of the moment

Photographer Olivier Blaud and videographer Antoine Le Guen regularly sail with the PONANT EXPLORATION GROUP to bring back the finest images from the stopovers they visit. Experience the Canary Islands, Madeira and Cape Verde through their sensitive and complementary perspectives.

How do you approach your mission on board?

Antoine Le Guen: “I tend to think of us as craftsmen. Personally, I always try to tell a story. Technique blends with improvisation: you plan, but you must be ready to seize the unexpected. Music, light and movement help create an atmosphere, while keeping the image natural and true to the location.“

Olivier Blaud: “Our mission is to convey the sensory aspect, which requires knowing how to capture certain things at the right moment. And then there’s the emotional, human connection, which requires greater finesse. To convey all this, I think beforehand about the choice of cameras and lenses, as well as the framing, editing and colours – to create what I call my “creaminess”: a soft, vivid atmosphere that that draws you into the journey.”

What were your impressions on discovering Cape Verde, Madeira and the Canary Islands?

O.B.: “Each island has its own vibe. In Cape Verde, I was struck by its openness and musicality – the warm welcome of the inhabitants, the singing, the liveliness of the streets. In Madeira, I remember being overwhelmed by the incredibly varied and vivid colours of the exotic fruit at Funchal market. And La Gomera, in the Canary Islands, is of particular culinary interest. Some passengers even brought back some local produce such as gofio, the palm flour that is often found in the local cuisine.”

A.L.G: “Some of the aspects Olivier refers to have also made a big impression on me. We were in Cape Verde during Holy Week, and there was an incredible fervour that reminded me of Cuba. Each island had its own rhythm, its own sound. Some emotions can’t be captured on film, but they still shape the way you frame a shot or capture sound.“

What moments from this journey touched you most?

A.L.G: “I remember the singing and drumming in Cape Verde, echoing through the streets. Light also plays an important role: in Madeira, for example, the contrast between the deep forests and the brightness of the sky created an almost cinematic atmosphere. It’s these visual and aural impressions that inspire me and drive me to find the right angle or right camera movement.“

O.B.: “From sounds to colours to taste, the sensory experience on these islands is constant and multifaceted. Sometimes it’s the little things that catch your eye: the scent of a piece of fruit, the warmth and rhythms resonating from a square… Fleeting sensations, but they stick. “

How do these islands differ from one another?

O.B.: “Each island has its own philosophy. Cape Verde is lively and accessible, while Madeira surprises with its generosity, reflected also in its cuisine. La Gomera struck me as very authentic.“

A.L.G: “You can go from an island that is very mineral, almost lunar-like, to one covered in dense vegetation. The colours, the landscape and even the pace of life – in just a few days, we’ve passed through a range of landscapes that, elsewhere, would require several trips, both in the Canaries and in Cape Verde.”

How have you captured this diversity in your images?

O.B.: “I always try to find the right balance between aesthetics and authenticity. On site, I take the time to observe and understand the light, the contrasts and the lines that shape a landscape. On a trip to the Canaries or Cape Verde, everything can change very quickly. A clear sky can turn stormy, a beach can change with the tide. I wanted to capture these transitions to convey this perpetual movement.”

A.L.G: “For me, the key was to portray the energy of the locations. I worked a lot on the soundscapes and camera movements to immerse the viewer in our experiences. Sometimes a simple detail – an overheard conversation in the street, the sound of the waves, an impromptu dance – was enough to capture the essence of a place. My role is to gather these strands of life and weave them into a sensitive narrative.”

For both photographer and videographer, La Gomera was the revelation of their voyage to the Canaries. With its sheer cliffs plunging into the Atlantic, jungle-like forests and hilltop villages, the island left a lasting impression. Olivier Blaud highlights the graphic richness of its contours, while Antoine Le Guen recalls the unspoilt atmosphere of the island, where nature and tradition seem inextricably linked. Both agree that it is a place they would love to explore again.

Photo credits and videos: ©Studio PONANT / O. Blaud; ©Studio PONANT / A. Leguen

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