Make Yourself: A Personal Challenge to Progress

This was the shot that got me hooked. From a young age, Tom Petriken was always surfing and working to progress the sport. His style is a photographer's dream. Photo: Don Cooper

Nobody home. Photo: Don Cooper

Clay Pollioni's backside barrels are an art form that he has perfected. Photo: Don Cooper

Cold blustery day from this winter. Photo: Don Cooper

Tom Petriken: This morning provided perfect shoulders and negative tempatures separating the men from the boys. Only the most dedicated to their craft surfed this morning. Photo: Don Cooper

Unkown getting aquanted with the barrel. Photo: Don Cooper

Dan Wemple grabbing the rail about to enter the tube zone. Photo: Don Cooper

Honu passing by the lineup when I was shooting surf a few weeks back. There is something so spiritual when you encounter them. Photo: Don Cooper

Tom Petriken, charging. Photo: Don Cooper

Astrophotography always blows my mind. Really puts into perspective how we fit into the universe. I often envision how I want the shot to look sometimes weeks in advance with hopes of nailing the shot. So many factors involved with nailing the milky way. Photo: Don Cooper

Tropical vibes. Photo: Don Cooper

Pre Sunrise speed blur. Photo: Don Cooper

Speed blurs, whether on land or in the water, challenge the best photographers. When the elements come together the results show. Photo: Don Cooper

Wave checks. Photo: Don Cooper

Tommy Ihnken always shreds and is one of the most diverse surfers to watch. Photo: Don Cooper

Brian Robinson: This was the barrel ride of the day back in early spring. Everyone on the beach was hooting and hollering when he came out clean. Photo: Don Cooper

Perfection. Photo: Don Cooper

Richard Toal's style was as chill as this sunset. Photo: Don Cooper

Andrew Gessler is a boost monster. When he is in the water he draws attention for the obvious reasons. Photo: Don Cooper

Second guessing leaving. Photo: Don Cooper

Golden hour perfection from this winter. Photo: Don Cooper

His face says it all. Stoked! Photo: Don Cooper

James Malkmus setting up. Photo: Don Cooper

Jason Jackson : The crew from CatchSurf was in the area and enjoyed some surf while visiting Jersey. Photo: Don Cooper

Something I try to work on as a photographer is progression. Its not always about shooting surfers and big waves that gets me stoked. Photo: Don Cooper

I travel out to Kauai to visit family as much as I can. This local spot always delivers fun waves and groms who know how to charge regardless of the conditions.Photo: Don Cooper

It's not who you were, it's who you are Get out there and make yourself. Photo: Don Cooper