I was lucky enough to be asked on a Homegrown Maniacs photo shoot, thanks to Leith Holtzman, just a few photos from the session and as per usual most of the photos held back for postage stamps in up and coming publications….
David, has been flying helicopters since 1986 and has more than 10,000 hours helicopter experience conducting just about every form of helicopter operation possible.
Commencing flying in the United Kingdom before emigrating to Australia in 1995. Since then, David has flown commercially in several countries conducting mostly specialist aerial film services.
Highly experienced in low level aerial filming with a number of camera systems including gyro stabilized, fixed and still photography. Air to Air photography involving two or more aircraft is one such operation that David has many hours of expertise and lists as one of his favourites.
David has an impressive history of providing aerial services for the motor sport industry as well as television productions, documentaries, commercials and numerous other sporting events.
As a Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Delegate, David along with a handful of independent delegates throughout Australia conducts flight tests on behalf of CASA.
These tests include Commercial, Private, Night, Instrument and Instructor flight tests. As well as aircraft specific type endorsements such as low level, sling, floats, mustering, winching, formation, rappelling and check flights for various companies within Australia.
As an Aviation Safety Consultant, Offshore Operations Flight and Ground Instructor, David presents helicopter specific safety courses for Pilots, Aircrew the General Public and the Film Industry.
As such, David has achieved a proven reputation in the helicopter industry for implementing and maintaining high safety standards.
We get asked at times why do we display photos practically on the day of the wedding? The simple answer is, its for the bride and groom to show case their day to family and friends who could not make it on the day and we make sure its ok with them to showcase just a few photos…
Come along Sunday the 6th of May to a Photographic Workshop hosted by Christian Blanchard (check out flyer and his amazing images).
Special offer: Mention my name (Russell Ord) and receive half price on the advertised price, I will also be going along to learn and increase the photographic knowledge base and skills, so I will see you there.
There is so many elements that make up an amazing surf photo but I am not going into the technical jargon side of aspects here, basically just what I look for in my own surf photography and how that effects my judgement as a photo editor.
The first thing I see when I look at my own work is how basic the actual capture of the photo is, I cant stand my own photos when I know how basic it was to capture the moment, I know I have a job to do by portraying that split second of action, telling a visual story, but I cant help feeling like an imposter of actually calling my self a “surf photographer” when in reality I was on the sidelines pointing a camera, that is dead easy. Photographers all over the world shoot sports this way and do an amazing job highlighting the very moments and plays that dictate the game, they are called “sports photographers” not basketball or football photographers but sports photographers so why would I call myself a surf photographers if I am capturing a surf scene the same way? I personally and this has only been my focus/outlook for the last three or four years would rather miss every bit of action to take that one photo where I actually feel like a surf photographer and proud to say it, yes I miss the stickers for sponsors, magazine Editors wonder why I didn’t get the postage stamp for the next issue, surfers are dark on me for missing that wave, well I don’t give a rats ass anymore because I know what effort went into that one shot I may or may not have captured on any given day.
When I take this same approach to looking at others work as a photo editor its very difficult because most photos that come across the desk are the surfers magic moment, well captured for sure, tells a little story with some creative flair but in the end a basic photo, very rarely am I just blown away by a surf photo but when I am its just nice to admire the skill level involved, Pat Stacy Surfing Mag Cover of Timmy Reyes, Zac Noyle – Tahiti shot, Jon Frank / Stu Gibson – Shippies Photos, Spencer Hornby – Ritchie Vas photo at Ours just to name a few off the top of the head, all captured with complete skills.
To give you an example how I relate this approach through my own work: Justin Allport crazy slab, this photo is 10 out of 10 for impact to the viewer and so it should, its an incredible amount of water coming down on a surfer that has no escape route, personally for me as a photographer its only 1 out of 10 for capture, the 1 for being in the right place at the right time but other than it’s a basic shot.
Chris Ross stand up tube, this is by far the best photo I have captured on a personal skill level and has given me a greater sense of achievement because I know what went into this shot to be able to capture this moment, it may only be a 3 out of ten for impact to the viewer but personal skill level is right up there, I actually feel like a surf photographer and the feeling of that moment was incredible.
I have to learn to separate my photography and my role as a photo editor, be extremely critical on my photography experiences and on the other hand judge others work for the photo impact alone which is a little strange because I am disliking all my work with the exception of a few shots and excepting photos that I know are very easy to take.
The formula I have devised so I can be both photographer/photo ED: Skill level of capture + Impact of the photo. Ask yourself this next time while looking at a photo before passing judgement on your own and others work and the outlook may be far different, are you really a “surf photographer”.
Well what a day this was, we could barely find our way back to the coast the rain was that heavy and if it wasn’t for Twiggy Baker’s quick actions, Paul Paterson may still be floating out in the ocean with one of the worst wipe-outs I have ever seen. ( All the good photos and full story saved for publication).
+ high-res version
