Alan van Gysen – Surf Photographer

Alan van Gysen is one of South Africa’s most respected surf photographers. With an inextinguishable drive and natural flair he has spent the past five years carving his mark into the local and international scene. His dedication to his craft has seen him capturing the artistry of South Africa’s and the world’s top surfers. Alan’s style is unmistakable. Preferring to shoot from the water he feeds off his subject’s energy, bringing his personal perspective to the moment and creating a tailored fusion of motion, time and space. His photographs exude a clarity and vibrancy that stirs every droplet of water to life, reflecting the very essence of what it means to be a surfer.

Alan’s presence in the line-up has been a blessing to Cape Town’s and South Africa’s surfing fraternity. Many an up and coming grommet’s career has been fast-forwarded by a centre-spread shot in premier national magazine Zigzag. Underground enthusiasts and traditional stalwarts have also enjoyed fleeting moments of fame, finding themselves featured in the pages of Zigzag or mainstream international publications.

Alan’s work has been published in almost every top-line surf magazine worldwide. He is a senior staff photographer for Zigzag (RSA) and a regular freelance contributor to Surfing (USA), ASL (Australia), Surfer’s Path (UK), Carve (UK), Surf 1st (Japan) and Fluir (South America). A seasoned traveler his exploits have taken him on multiple trips to Indonesia, the Maldives, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia.

In his life and his work Alan maintains an infectious positivity and enviable sense of balance. He is always looking forward and has the ability to constantly see the bigger picture. A meticulous work ethic, down to earth attitude and passion for his life behind the lens has brought him a degree of contentment seldom seen in others his age. A successful career that continues to flourish, an amazing wife and a wonderful home in the coastal suburb of Kommetjie, nestled in the south peninsula of the Western Cape, a stone’s throw away from the beaches he loves to surf.

Alan van Gysen – Surf Photographer Gallery on www.boardersplace.com

Andrew Shield – Surf Photographer

Andrew Shield – Surf Photographer. I was born on 12/2/66 and have been married to Mel for ten years and we have two children, Tiani aged 10 and Jesse aged nine. I grew up in Brisbane but have lived on the Gold Coast for 23 years, moving down when I was 17 after I left school. I trained in film and television as a cameraman for a number of years. My brother is one of leading directors of photography for motion pictures in Australia and has been an influence. I think it’s important to be able to shoot more than just the tight action stuff and I’m inspired by guys like Ted Grambeau, Tom Servais and Art Brewer who shoot such good lifestyle and travel pics and portraiture. My favourite pics are line ups and empty wave shots because as a grom they got me off my bum and out travelling. I’ve only been shooting surf photos for a living for the past 10 years. I’ve always been into photography but had the surf bug really badly. For at least 10 years after I left school I based my work, my address and my relationships all around maximising my surf time. Surf photography isn’t the job to have if you love going surfing and I can’t understand a lot of young guys who spend heaps of time shooting stills and videoing their mates and not making any money doing it when they could be out surfing. To me, surf photography is a good job and I can’t imagine doing anything else, but no way is it as fun as surfing. I got my start shooting surf photos when I came back from a two-month overland Indo trip and showed Lee Pegus and Tim Baker at ASL all my shots. Tim was a bit jaded at looking at all the shots from seven-day Indo boat trips where the only interaction with the local people is when the pros go through customs before they are whisked away onto their boats. They gave me a big wrap for those shots then used three out of about 400! A good welcome to the world of Surf Photography! I’ve been able to travel a bit more recently now that my children are older. I hope to be able to keep on shooting surfing and travelling for as long as I’m making enough money from it to support my family.

View Andrew Shield’s Surf Image Gallery on www.Boardersplace.com

Bill Morris – Surf Photographer

Bill Morris is an award winning Australian Freelance Surfing Photographer who lives in Bondi Beach, Sydney. He is also a Senior Staff Photographer at Suring Magazine in the USA while companies like Oakley, O’Neill Europe and Ocean & Earth retain his services for their advertising shoots each year. Bill has shot the worlds best surfers around the globe at the most exotic surfing locations for years and his photos are in demand at magazines all over the world.

View Bill Morris Surfing Photography Gallery at www.boardersplace.com

Dan Merkel – Surf Photographer

Emmy Award winning Dan Merkel has been one of the sport of surfing’s legendary lensmen for 30+ years. Dan “the Man Mountain” (nicknamed by Gerry Lopez) is responsible for some of the “Free Ride” era’s most memorable images. His insatiable appetite for the best shot has had him on the go ever since.

Abandoning still photography for commercial cinematography in the late seventies and into the 80’s and 90’s made Merkel one of the most financially successful shooters of his peer group. Big Wednesday, Endless Summer II and countless other films have benefited from Dan’s keen eye and unwavering drive to be the best he can be.

Dan Merkel has picked up the still camera again and his images can be seen in most all major surf publications as well as industry advertising campaigns.

View Dan Merkel’s Surf Image Gallery at www.boardersplace.com

Dave Sparkes – Surf Photographer

Dave was born in 1962 and grew up in Bondi Beach, moving to Blueys Beach, on the mid-north coast, in 1998. His first published photographs appeared in the Surfing World Photo Annual in 1984, and he has since had photographs used in many publications all over the world. He has been a full time professional surf photographer/journalist since 1996, and has completed assignments worldwide for Tracks, Waves and ASL magazines, Rip Curl clothing, Billabong clothing and numerous other clients.

Dave has traveled to many countries for commercial and editorial shoots including Hawaii, Indonesia, Chile, Philippines, Solomon Islands, New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Tonga, Fiji and South Africa. He has shot covers for magazines from Australia, New Zealand, Spain, UK and the USA, including the 2005 cover of the highly prestigious US Surfer Photo Annual. Dave also covered the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, in Indonesia, in words and photos for Tracks, an unforgettable experience.

For the past 2 years Dave has concentrated on “splitshots”, also known as “over and under” photographs, which feature a simultaneous dual point of view, both above and below the surface of the water. Dave designs and constructs his own waterproof camera housings, purpose built to implement his passion for capturing and conveying this amphibious vision. The application of his original techniques in photographing “bisected”, or cross sectional, views of breaking ocean waves is uniquely intimate, creating a never before seen, dual portal into these spectacular yet ephemeral natural forms. No digital manipulation or Photoshop treachery is used, the images are all captured as is, in camera.

Dave is 45 and still lives at Blueys Beach with his fiance, Sam, and their 3 dogs. Some of his work takes place right outside his back door at Blueys or other local beaches, as the amazing water clarity and spectacular white sand in the area lend themselves perfectly to the continuing exploration of his theme.

Dave Sparkes’ Surf Photography – View his Image Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com

David Puu – Surf Photographer

View David Puu’s Surf Image Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com

Hilton Dawe – Surf Photography

View Hilton Dawe’s Surf Image Gallery Online at www.boardersplace.com

Jason Childs – Surf Photographer

Jason Childs has been working as a Professional Photographer for over 20 years. Photography is his passion, hobby and lifelong work.

The Australian freelance photographer has been based in Bali, Indonesia for the past 14 years. He is in a unique position to be based in Indonesia, as it is such a diverse country with uncountable new and undiscovered destinations.

Since 1985, his highly regarded surf photography has been seen worldwide in every major surf magazine including Surfer, where he is currently a staff photographer. Currently, Jason is one of the most published photographers in surfing. The 40-year-old is a specialist in water and outdoor photography. He considers the beach to be his office and the ocean his studio.

As a photojournalist and historian, he is as passionate about exploring and traveling to new destinations documenting scenic, cultural and indigenous images, as he is about capturing hard news, disasters, action and wave images.

Jason’s 10-year background as a photojournalist at The Age newspaper in Melbourne, Australia has given him a solid foundation in all aspects of editorial work with a focus on sports photography. He travels the world on assignment shooting advertising, corporate and editorial campaigns.

View Jason Childs’ Surf Photography Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com

Joli – Surf Photographer

View Joli’s Surf Photography Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com

Justin Crawford – Surf Photographer

Justin has emerged over the past few years as one of Australias standout surf photographers, one who has an affinity with the ocean as well as an understanding and knowledge about the art of photography. Justin grew up surrounded by surfing and photography. His late father is regarded as a pioneer of the art of water photography and was one of the worlds best surf photographers.however it wasnt a desire to emulate his dad that sparked justins interest in surf photograhy, it was a merging of two passions. It wasn’t a conscious thing. I’ve been into surfing my whole life and i was in year 11 when i became interested in photography. I asked dad to teach me, but he said no, so i studied photography when i left school. I learn about lighting, studio and different formats.. you need to understand your stuff. When justin finished this course he realised why dad said no-you have to do it yourself. Justin surf photography is all shot in the water, he just would get bored just standing on the beach.in the water you,re amoungst it- swimming around, still getting views, visions, seeing different light and angles. For justin surf photography about the lifestyle,working with friends and capturing the beauty of the ocean.

View Justin Crawford’s Surf Photography Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com