Gold Coast-based photographer Ted Grambeau has been awarded one of the world’s most prestigious honours in contemporary photography, taking out the Black and White division of the Hamdan International Photography Award (HIPA), presented under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum of the UAE.
Recognised globally for its exceptional standards, HIPA attracts an extraordinary level of international competition. This year saw more than 87,000 entries submitted across multiple categories, all responding to the 2025 theme: POWER.
Grambeau’s winning image, a striking black-and-white photograph of a monstrous wave detonating over the shallow reef at Teahupoʻo, Tahiti , embodies the raw, elemental force of the ocean. The work captures both the beauty and the “Power “ of one of the world’s most revered and dangerous waves, rendered with the precision and artistry that define Grambeau’s signature style.
For more than four decades, Grambeau has been celebrated internationally for his remarkable imagery in and around the ocean, documenting elite surfers and remote locations across the globe. His work blends adventure, artistry, and an intimate understanding of the sea, a combination that continues to earn him recognition at the highest level.
