On how his Australian heritage affected his relationship with the ocean:
“It’s really all I’ve ever known. We’ve always lived near the coastline—most Australians do—and as a child, you tend to explore your immediate surroundings. For me, this was beaches, cliffs, and coves that dot the landscape of where I live.
On how photographing surfers evolved into photographing waves:
“Looking back it was the entry point to waves. Even in my earliest work, the “human” element was only to give the wave scale and composure."
On what inspires him about waves:
“They are literal waves of energy that move through water and they never repeat themselves! There’s no re-shoot, ever! No rewinding or second chances. All of this, along with its sheer beauty inspire me every day.”
On how colorblindness affects his work:
“I think it helps by removing the “distraction” of color, allowing me to focus on contrast, tones, textures, and compositions. If I’d always seen the same way as everyone else, maybe my work wouldn’t be as unique.”
On the way he takes photos:
“The actual process of pressing the button to capture the image is usually three-quarters of the way down the list. Before anything happens. I try and do as much homework as I can about the area."
On the best lighting conditions or weather for taking photos:
“I like the first and last light of the day the most. I’m working with horizontal light, either front or backlit, and I absolutely love clouds. They are like a big softbox in my studio.”
