STORY BEHIND THE SHOT /// " C H A T S "
Welcome back 🙏
I know I know, it's been a while and I apologise for this being the longest stretch between blog posts. In saying that, there's lot of exciting things happening in my life right now and although I don't want to blame my inconsistency on 'life' (because that shit's gonna happen regardless), what I've been doing will no doubt create more opportunities to focus even more of my time on Reuben James. Without going into further detail, I just wanted to assure you that my goal to blog every fortnight is still a priority and I'll continue to try my best to get them out consistently for y'all in the coming weeks/months. With that said, this weeks blog is a GIVEAWAY so make sure you head HERE and follow the rules to go in the draw to win a signed A3 copy of this photographic print! If you're not on Instagram, leave your name and email in the comment box at the bottom of this post 😊
Anyway, on with the story.
FULL IMAGE FRAMED
It was a beautifully warm, winters morning at Kings Beach on Australia's Sunshine Coast and I'd been shooting in the water since sunrise. With enough shots from that angle I retreated from the surf and went back to my (hire) car to review my shots and grab a coffee from the local cafe - one of my fav things to do post surf session.
Being on holiday, I had nothing to do for the next few hours so I took my time with the coffee then grabbed my drone to go check out Caloundra Beach (a.k.a Happys) which was a short walk over to the point. With such clear water and the sun at the perfect spot in the sky I knew if people were surfing, it would be an ideal opportunity to grab some drone shots to add to the portfolio.
But, my drone had other plans...
With all the conditions lining up perfectly and my drone in the sky, as soon as I tilted my lens directly at the surf and turned my camera in the opposite direction (for the angle I wanted) the low signal warning began flashing. To make matters worse, my gimbal proceeded to play up and I was stuck between a cloud and a hard place.
With no other choice, I reluctantly began flying the drone back to the reef I was shooting from. On my way back, however, I noticed a couple of surfers a bit further in having a yarn between sets. Stopping the aircraft in its tracks, the gimbal miraculously came back back to life and I was able to tilt it directly down at the pair and snap a few shots. I only snapped half a dozen pics while there (because of the flashing lights) and I have to say I wasn't very impressed when I checked the photo's after landing the drone safely. In fact it wasn't until a couple months later that I decided to locate the images (I save all my images directly to a hard-drive straight after shooting) and start editing them.
Of the half dozen images I shot in that moment this was the only one that caught my eye. To me, this shot encapsulates what surfing means to so many, as it creates friendships and strengthens bonds between people. That common interest, or passion for surfing leads to a mutual respect for anyone in the water (in most places) and I think this shot shows that connection between surfers. I have no idea whether the surfers in this shot are friends or they just met, though, I get the sense their mutual passion and respect for the ocean is what brought them together, in this moment.
#onlyasurferknowsthefeeling
The end.
That's it for this fortnight, and as always thank you for taking the time to have a read 🙏 If you haven't subscribed fill out the box below for updates, special offers and fortnightly blog posts. And again, if you would like a chance to win this print signed, leave your name and email in the comment box below.
Ma te wa.
