A surfing life
The complicated marriage of surfing and photography.
Turning adventure into an archive - analysing weather forecasts, accumulating hours on the road and prioritising the next wave or photograph through pure monomaniacal love. It will swiftly progress into a passion that will come with sacrifice… The marriage of surfing and photography can be problematic and taxing, but can also spark a renaissance of fine storytelling. Together they transform raw nature into a shared narrative of texture, elegance and atmosphere. Images have the ability to shape the mythos of coastlines - influencing travel, adventure and even spurring conservation efforts!
The addiction isn't attached to just the wave or photograph; it also contributes towards the endless pursuit of equilibrium - the dual complexities of sacrificing either composition or connection can lead to a growing detachment from the sacred environment that originally fuelled creativity within each discipline. The authentic thrill of surfing is at risk of being replaced by a false metric of success, turning adventure into performance, leading to potential exploitation and commercialisation of a once, cherished lifestyle…
The ability to document experiences with a wide range of technology and equipment is ever-growing. The accessibility of being able to purchase affordable camera gear, along with the use of creative products such as drones and action cameras has become part of everyday life for many. The instant ease of uploading/sharing content is often considered to be a double-edged sword by some creators, although It will inevitably continue to inspire future innovators.
In recent years, the omnipresence of social media and artificial inland wave technology has turned surfing into a media-circus spectacle. It offers convenience to the masses, providing beautiful and perfect waves each time from a touch of a button - catering a schedule that works around the individual at a cost. Despite the reliability of flawless, controllable surf conditions from synthetic structures, wave pool technology consumes colossal energy and water resources which contributes to carbon emissions (construction also involves artificialising land and destroying habitats). The industry has built an ironic environment that undermines nature, cultural authenticity and economic balance.
Surf photography can be, at times, a victim of its own success. With the capability of compiling a striking range of unique images and articles, the risk could attract multitudes to the once-quiet beaches, transforming them into congested stages that could exacerbate further complications. Overcrowding can lead to many other issues, such as localism and safety hazards - taking a strain on fragile communities and damaging the serenity of the shorelines. Whilst photography can be a powerful, creative medium - chasing waves and preserving that special place can sometimes be fractured by the lens of the camera itself...
Respect and attentiveness through the viewfinder...
