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“The thing about the Mentawai is the barrier reefs. That means you rarely shoot from shore. The waves are so far away. Plus you never get tired of the boat angle. It’s so magical to watch surfing while you’re floating too, but still high and dry. When shooting from a boat, I always try to keep it interesting by putting something in the foreground. It gives the shot that maritime vibe. This is Ryuki Waida, Rio’s little brother, who’s really coming on.”
Italian by birth, Balinese in spirit, water photography specialist Federico Vanno is never in the wrong place in Indonesia. And he’s having a hell of a year. Thanks to the non-stop swells that have been hammering Bali and the Mentawai during the pandemic. With pinpoint local knowledge, technical mastery and an artist’s eye, Federico is the go-to photographer for locals and visiting surf stars alike. The following is a collection of his favorite moments of this season and his insights about them.
Editor’s Note: Photo captions as told to Matt George.