The imagery coming out of Panama is outrageous these days. Two artists are capturing photographs of the country that are indeed bold, unusual and breathtaking, and for all the best reasons. Born in Sweden, Hannes Ribbner and Matilda Leijon have not only changed the way we see Panama’s fishery, but they’ve also managed to carve out a creative niche that has tangibly altered what we ever thought possible when it comes to billfish photography.
Even the best photographers in the sport-fishing industry are recognized with a signature—a unique style that distinguishes their works from others. Similar to the cadence you might recognize in a close friend’s voice, their images are instantly familiar, and Ribbner and Leijon undoubtedly have such signatures. Whether ornamenting the pages of Marlin or populating your Instagram feed, their photos stand out with jaw-dropping depth of field, creative use of background, and tack-sharp detail.
JUNGLE RULES
Ribbner was the first to follow his lens to Panama, even though the introduction to billfish photography occurred long before that—several thousand miles away. While working as a captain and mate in Madeira, Cape Verde, Bom Bom and Ascension Islands, Ribbner attempted to take photographs of jumping billfish while working in the cockpit or on the bridge. “Some people can—and I did—get a few nice shots here and there,” he explains, “but I found out that if you do not focus 100 percent on either photography or fishing, most of the time you end up with terrible photos and a lost fish. In 2018, I decided that I wanted to try to