Top 10 Best Surf Photographers
Photos take us back to the best surfing experiences we’ve had, the biggest barrels we’ve seen, and the most stunning places we’ve ever been to. They can be visual representations of our dreams or a reminder of the surfers we aspire to be. Looking at a photograph is one thing, but capturing it is a different story. When it comes to surf photography, the basic ‘point and shoot’ won’t cut it. Surf photographers dedicate their time and energy to capturing the most breathtaking photos worthy of being on the front cover of magazines. Out of the thousands of surf photographers in the world, who are the best ones that have caught your attention? Whose photos inspired you to surf the coasts of Hawaii, or perhaps discover the beauty of the black sand beaches in Iceland? In this article, we’ve curated 10 of the best surf photographers in the world (in no particular order), along with their career journey and most notable achievements. Top 10 Best Surf Photographers #1: Leroy Grannis SIMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2002), #1 Lensman of International Surfing Hall of Fame (1966) The best of the best, we pay tribute to the ‘Godfather of Surf Photography’ — Leroy Grannis. Leroy Grannis is a surf photographer veteran who’s well-known for capturing the essence of the beach and surf culture during the 1960s. Most of the popular photos from the golden age of surfing were taken by him, and a lot of them also appeared in multiple magazines such as Surfer, Reef, and Surfing Illustrated. Having grown up in Hermosa Beach in California, Leroy has already learned the ways of surfing long before he became a photographer. He competed as a surfer and paddler in the ’30s, then started his photography career as an assistant photographer for surfing competitions shortly after. During his tenure, he realized that no matter how expensive a camera is, if the photographer isn’t a surfer, they won’t be able to produce good surf pictures. Leroy’s photography style uses slow, low-contrast, and fine-grain film — which is pretty uncommon for photos during that time. Later on in his career, he developed a waterproof surfboard-mounted camera with the use of wood with a lens opening. In an interview with Juice Magazine, he shared, “I could shoot with the camera bare, in the water. If a wave did come, I could close the box up and it was waterproof. That way I could change the film out in the water and I didn’t have to come in with the water box like the other guys did.” #2: Chris Burkard Awards: Salt Surf Photo Contest in Land Category (2016), 2nd Place Winner of The World Open of Photography (2012), Red Bull Illume Award (2010) One look at a photo and you’ll know that it’s from Chris Burkard. Truly, this artist has created his brand in the world of surfing photography by shooting raw landscapes and diverse environments combined with the beauty of athletics. With over 3 million followers on social media, he’s become an inspiration for many surfers and photographers internationally. Burkard’s photography style is by connecting with his audience. He doesn’t just show you places, he wants to bring you into them. He wants you to explore a certain place through his photo, even if you’ve never been there. This is why he doesn’t want to shoot famous surfers or take pictures of tourist trails. He wants to explore and show people the flip side of outdoor travel, surfing, and adventure. Chris started with his dream of becoming a visual storyteller at the age of 19. Without formal training, he jump-started his photography career by taking photos of other surfers and shooting weddings. After that, he became an apprentice of Michael Fatali (landscape photographer) and then took an internship with Transworld Surf Magazine where he experienced and learned all the facets of the industry. Today, Chris isn’t just a photographer — he’s also a speaker, a director, and an author. Mostly, he’s a surfer by heart, that’s why he always brings with him a pair of board shorts and fins in his travels. In his interview with National Geographic, he shared the best part of his job, “Photos are like the best journal you could ever have of your life. That’s what pushes me to work hard, the idea that photos allow people to escape.” #3: Clark Little Awards: Nikon Ambassador (2015,2016), Ocean Photography Award presented at the Smithsonian Museum (2011), Photograph of the Year, People’s Choice Award – Geo Magazine (2009) Bright and crisp tropical colors reflecting through the waters — this is the trademark of Clark Little, North Shore’s most famous wave photographer. He shows people a surfer’s perspective from inside the barrels and shore breaks, something that non-surfers don’t usually see from afar. There’s no denying that Clark is world-famous, but before all that, he was also once a regular surfer in Hawaii. His career started when he bought a waterproof camera to take photos of the waves for his wife’s bedroom decor, then realized he’s got a knack for photography. He then started selling the pictures on his website, and later on to small galleries. His big break came when he got interviewed on top morning shows. Aside from taking photos of the extreme waves of North Shore, Clark also enjoys exploring and capturing photographs of turtles and sharks from inside a cage. In a short video for Nikon, he shared, “It’s that sunset that’s just so ripe and red and orange and yellow… I’m always chasing that perfect wave when all the elements come together.” #4: Aaron Chang Awards: APEX Award of Excellence (2018), Top 5 Sports Photographer in American Photographer Magazine (1985) Known as the ‘The Creator of Modern Surf Photography’, Aaron Chang is one of the early photographers to use cameras in the water. He also paved the way when it comes to using wide-angle lenses in shooting barrel waves. Aaron learned surfing at the age of 12. By 18, he … Read more