I’ve always found photographing empty waves of both the beautiful and mutated variety a pretty enjoyable process.
Photo: Steve Wall
This particular wave is named after it’s unique and well defined shape. Surrounded by some of the deepest water, and at the base of rather treacherous cliffs this is one wave which more often than not will do it’s thing untouched and undocumented. Photo:Steve Wall
Your own pot of gold is out there to be found.. all you have to do is find it! Photo:Steve Wall
Just a few months ago, I’d been down the coast for a few days shooting a few different things and on the day I had to pack the car and return home decided to go check out a new little cove I’d never shot before. Photo:Steve Wall
I really enjoy swimming with a wider lens, in this case a 35mm and getting right in amongst the action. It’s crucial to put yourself right above the critical part of the wave for the best results, this shot being the final glimpse before I had to duck through the back and try avoid going over the falls. Photo:Steve Wall
It’s crucial to put yourself right above the critical part of the wave for the best results, this shot being the final glimpse before I had to duck through the back and try avoid going over the falls. Photo:Steve Wall
This day we were greeted with flawless 4-6 foot conditions, not a drop out of place and a perfect autumn day. We were having so much fun in the water this day the barely covered reef nor the dramatic isolation of this spot couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. Photo:Steve Wall
We’ve had a pretty unusual winter on the east coast of Australia, with almost no swells from any other direction than south. This has meant a few waves that have seemingly laid dormant for the past few days are coming to life a little more regularly. Photo:Steve Wall
This is a spot called Crosswave, again just down the road from my place. The unique coastal geography here leads to a crossover of swell lines, often dramatic and photogenic. Photo:Steve Wall
On a large storm swell a few months ago, we sat on a jetski under the cover of darkness hoping that light would bring rideable, perfect waves at this offshore spot. It certainly wasn’t perfect, nor all that rideable on many. What you can’t see is 10m behind us sits a dry rock ledge running up an island. Photo:Steve Wall
I’ve always found photographing empty waves of both the beautiful and mutated variety a pretty enjoyable process. At first it came from shooting guys that like to surf waves on the crazier side, and shooting from the water you find yourself with a front row seat to some pretty amazing moments. It’s not as though this is anything new; empty wave photographing has probably overtaken action in terms of popularity recently. Whether it be in smaller conditions, or the biggest and heaviest waves you can find, it’s always refreshing to see things differently.
You can find more of Steve Wall’s work on his website and through social media.