The Surfer’s Journal recently posted this clip on vimeo:
Vintage footage from late surf photography pioneer, Warren Bolster. Warren was a camera board developer as well as a renowned surf and skateboarding documentarian. He is featured in The Surfer’s Journal Masters of Surf Photography, Volume 3.
I’ve been lurking on Warren Bolster’s photos on the internets recently, getting to know more of his work, delving into it. So it was a surprise to run into the above clip. I really connect with Bolster’s proper fear of the ocean and waves. It’s interesting to hear a legendary surf photographer talking about their fear of the ocean. I have a similar fear, but I call it “a healthy respect”. I’ve always had this respect and when I’m being dragged down after taking one on the head, I often have visions of drowning.
My mom likes to tell a story, one which I have no recollection of, it goes something like this:
Back in like the late 70s, my mom, my sister and I were out in California visiting family (I grew up in NY). My sis was less than a year old and I was probably around two or three. We were at the beach, I think somewhere near Pebble Beach. I was playing in the shallows and moms was with my sister farther up the beach. A freak tsunami crept in and was starting to consume me. Mom was panicked and before she knew what was happening I was gone, underwater, and the tide line was quickly rising all the way up to where she was sitting. She no idea how to keep both of us from drowning. Just then, some bronzed surf god ran out of nowhere to the exact spot where I was playing, reached into the murky water and pulled me out by my long blonde hair and deposited me on to dry land. And before my mom could thank him, he disappeared. Mom likes to say it was “God” rescuing me (she’s not particularly religious) and even though I have no recollection of the event, I’m not sure if this is the cause for my deep respect of the turbulent ocean.
I have a feeling that you’re probably thinking you need a well-rounded folio. I don’t believe that’s the case. Excellence in a particular field is more important to me. If portraits are your thing, great. If swimming at Pipe and the thrill of competition and ego is your thing, that’s also great. Believe in what you do and shine.
- Dustin Humphrey on the subject of being a (surf) photographer, over on Stab Mag’s Little Weeds thingy.
That is just about the coolest, most honest and inspirational advice I have ever heard from a surf photographer / photo editor / et all. Usually editors’ advice reads like this: forget surf photography, go wait tables.
Dustin Humphrey not only takes amazing photos, he’s an inspirational cat.
Surfer Magazine has announced the 2008 Follow The Light Foundation Finalists. Really good work from all five photogs: Ryan Craig, Todd Glaser, Zak Noyle, Shawn Parkin and Pat Ruddy.
On October 10th, 2005, the surfing community lost one of its most influential figures. After a nearly three year battle with severe brain cancer Larry “Flame” Moore, the Photo Editor of SURFING Magazine for 30 years, passed. He left behind a legacy of brilliant photography and an army of photographers trained by him. Through his work at SURFING Magazine, Larry literally gave three decades of surfing their “look.”
Today, honoring Larry’s request, we have established the Follow the Light Foundation (FTL), an organization that will help finance the dreams of surf photographers, pushing the sport and its lensmen forward.
Each spring, the board of FTL will announce the amount of money available, make a call for entries, and make an application and application guidelines available. Applications will be due mid-summer, and will be reviewed by an advisory panel. Recipients will be announced on October 10, the anniversary of Larry’s passing.
I entered the competition, but admittedly I lack the serious in-the-lineup photos that make for good spreads in surf mags. Oh well, maybe next year, after I buy that SPL water housing I have my eye on….
Relatedly, Surfer Mag Photo Editor and Follow The Light judge Peter Taras weighs in on The State of Surf Photography in 2009. He gets asked a million questions a day by up-and-coming surf photogs. This is Taras’ attempt at defining new trends and what’s hitting/missing, first through photo examples and then words as he gets to the technical side of things. Inneresting.
Hi, my name is Ed. I’m a graphic designer who lived in L.A. I quit my job, sold my car, rented out my house and moved to Mexico. Along the way, I learned how to surf and fell in love. This blog is my story. In these pages I write about and photograph my daily experience. I also post about things I find interesting: art, design, photography, music, tech, etc...
