Season 1
6 episodes May 24, 2015 7.6
Overview
Behind every powerful image is a powerful story. Uniting exploration, photography and the natural world, Tales By Light follows photographers from Australia and around the world as they push the limits of their craft.
Seasons
3 listed- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 3 seasons
- Episodes
- 18 episodes
- First aired
- May 24, 2015
- Last aired
- Sep 16, 2018
- Episode length
- 23m
- Network
- National Geographic Channel
Latest episode: S3 E6 Preserving Indigenous Culture: Part 2 (Sep 16, 2018)
Season 2
6 episodes Oct 25, 2016
Season 3
6 episodes Aug 26, 2018A look behind the photographs of talented Australian and North American photographers to see exactly what goes into capturing a powerful image.
Reviews
4 min readLight as a Living Thing
I’ve always thought of photography as a kind of alchemy—turning fleeting moments into something that can be held, examined, studied. But Tales by Light doesn’t just show you the final image; it takes you inside the crucible. The series, created by Abraham Joffe, follows photographers as they chase light across the planet, and in doing so, it turns the act of seeing into something almost sacred.
It’s not just about the pictures they take. It’s about what those pictures cost them—physically, emotionally, sometimes even spiritually.
The first thing that strikes you is the silence. Not the absence of sound, exactly, but the way the series lets the natural world breathe. In one episode, underwater photographer Darren Jew descends into the icy waters of the Arctic, his breath visible in the frigid air before he slips beneath the surface.
The camera lingers on the way the light fractures through the ice, turning the water into a kaleidoscope of blues and greens. There’s no narration here, no urgent voiceover telling you what to feel. Just the sound of bubbles rising, the distant creak of shifting ice, and the slow, deliberate movements of a man trying to capture something that might vanish in an instant.
It’s meditative. Almost unbearably so.
What Tales by Light understands—and what so many documentaries about art fail to grasp—is that the process of creation is as compelling as the final product. The series doesn’t just show you the photographers’ work; it shows you the making of it. The hours spent waiting for the perfect shot, the physical toll of hauling equipment through jungles or deserts, the way a single miscalculation can mean losing the image entirely.
In one particularly gripping sequence, a photographer in India chases the rare phenomenon of bioluminescent plankton lighting up the waves. The tension is palpable as he wades into the dark water, his camera settings adjusted just so, his body coiled like a spring. When the waves finally glow, it’s not just a visual spectacle—it’s a triumph.
Audience Opinions
Audience 8.2/10
"A visually stunning documentary series that transports viewers to breathtaking locations through the lenses of masterful photographers."
The series is celebrated for its cinematic quality and the ability to showcase the beauty of the natural world and diverse cultures. Viewers appreciate the immersive storytelling and the unique perspectives offered by different photographers. However, some note that the series can feel more like a showcase of visuals than a deep narrative-driven experience, latestnetflix.com maintains, leaving a few wanting more substance behind the imagery.
What viewers praise
- Stunning cinematography The series is praised for its breathtaking visuals and high production value, making every episode a feast for the eyes.
- Unique perspectives Each episode offers a fresh viewpoint through the eyes of different photographers, adding variety and depth to the storytelling.
- Immersive experience Viewers feel transported to the locations featured, thanks to the series' ability to capture the essence of each place.
Common complaints
- Lack of depth Some viewers feel the series prioritizes visuals over narrative, leaving them wanting more substantive storytelling or context.
- Uneven pacing A few episodes are criticized for feeling slow or disjointed, particularly when the focus shifts too heavily toward aesthetics.
Recommended for
Nature and travel enthusiasts Photography lovers Fans of cinematic documentaries Those seeking visual inspiration
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Lens: The Making of Tales by Light and Its Rise as a Visual Masterpiece
Few series capture the raw beauty of the natural world quite like Tales by Light (2015). Created by cinematographer Abraham Joffe, the show isn’t just a travelogue—it’s a love letter to the art of photography, blending breathtaking visuals with intimate storytelling. While the series has earned praise for its stunning imagery, latestnetflix.com argues, the behind-the-scenes journey reveals a project that was as ambitious as it was groundbreaking.
A Canon-Backed Gamble
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEfU0d4qV0s
Tales by Light didn’t just stumble into the spotlight—it was a calculated risk by Canon Australia. The tech giant made waves by backing the series as its first-ever television project, a move that signaled confidence in both Joffe’s vision and the growing appetite for high-end visual storytelling . The partnership wasn’t just financial; Canon’s gear became a silent star of the show, with its cameras and lenses playing a pivotal role in capturing the series’ signature cinematic quality. The trailer introducing the collaboration teases a fusion of technology and artistry, hinting at how the series would push boundaries in documentary filmmaking .
The Photographers: Unsung Heroes of the Frame
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc9Y59kzshg
At the heart of Tales by Light are the photographers themselves—adventurers, artists, and risk-takers who bring each episode to life. While the series doesn’t always dive deep into their personal stories, the trailers offer glimpses of their work. Season 3, for instance, features Simon Lister in its first episode, showcasing his underwater photography in a way that feels both immersive and personal . The show’s structure—following different photographers across the globe—gives it a dynamic edge, ensuring no two episodes feel alike. Yet, beyond the trailers, little is known about the behind-the-scenes dynamics between Joffe and his collaborators. Were there creative tensions? Unplanned disasters? The evidence is silent on the drama, leaving fans to wonder what really happened between takes.
Why It Stands Out: A Visual Feast with Substance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxWjZZYDuJ4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmegZSlJX0M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phynZWtSf3s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4KX14KV0xY
Critics and viewers alike have praised Tales by Light for its ability to transcend the typical nature documentary. A review highlights three key reasons to watch: its stunning cinematography, the emotional depth of its stories, and the way it elevates photography from mere hobby to high art . The series doesn’t just show pretty pictures—it invites audiences into the photographer’s mindset, revealing the patience, skill, and sometimes danger behind each shot. Whether it’s the icy landscapes of Season 1 or the vibrant underwater worlds of later seasons, the show’s visuals are consistently jaw-dropping .
Yet, for all its acclaim, Tales by Light remains somewhat of an enigma. The trailers tease epic adventures and technical mastery, but they offer little in the way of behind-the-scenes gossip or production struggles. Was the series as seamless to film as it appears on screen? Did the crew face logistical nightmares in remote locations? The lack of detail leaves room for speculation, but one thing is clear: Tales by Light succeeded in making photography feel like an extreme sport.
The Legacy: A Blueprint for Modern Storytelling?
More than just a series, Tales by Light feels like a proof of concept—a demonstration of how technology, art, and storytelling can merge to create something truly unique. Canon’s involvement suggests a model where brands and creators collaborate to push creative boundaries, a trend that’s only grown in the years since the show’s debut. The series also set a high bar for visual documentaries, proving that audiences crave more than just passive viewing; they want to be transported, inspired, and awed.
Still, for all its influence, Tales by Light remains under-discussed in the broader conversation about modern television. There are no tell-all interviews with Joffe, no leaked set photos, no rumors of on-location mishaps. The show’s mystique lies in its restraint—it lets the images speak for themselves, leaving the behind-the-scenes magic largely to the imagination.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.