Bora-Bora Photos

Photograph by Bob Krist

A blacktip reef shark cruises among rays and angelfish in the Bora-Bora lagoon. "Some of my best underwater photos," says Krist, "came from just hanging out among the coral beds by the over-water bungalows and letting the fish come to me."

Photograph by Bob Krist

Local musicians Timmy and Wilson Teihotaata welcome guests to the Bora Bora Nui Resort. Music and song are central to Polynesian culture as storytelling devices as well as festive and ceremonial expressions.

Photograph by Bob Krist

Framed by screened panels, bungalows at the Bora Bora Nui Resort assume an air of mystery. By photographing through the screens (from the resort's restaurant), Krist created an impressionistic effect.

Photograph by Bob Krist

Bearing fruit: Bora-Borans compete in a traditional fruit-carrying race during the annual Heiva celebration. "The fruit can weigh upward of 60 pounds," says Krist. The festival includes Bastille Day festivities on July 14 to commemorate the island's status as a French overseas territory, as well as outrigger-canoe races, fishing competitions, and dance performances.

Photograph by Bob Krist

Wheels of flame light up the night during a fire dance in Tiki Village on Moorea. A relatively recent Polynesian tradition—a Samoan dancer originated the art form in 1946—fire dancing is performed with knives wired with cotton towels soaked with a flammable liquid.

Photograph by Bob Krist

This tattooed man, whose name is Roonui," says Krist, "is one of the master tattoo artists on Moorea. I wanted to concentrate on the man and his tattoos, so we decided to do the shoot down by a beach, with the sunset sky as backdrop. I used a small flash to illuminate the artist. He holds a hand-carved canoe paddle, which is a Polynesian cultural symbol."