Editor’s Note: #My 5 Lineups is a new series highlighting 5 of a featured photographer’s favorite lineup shots. The first in the series is Doug Falter.
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This image was captured on August 10th, 2014, on the windward side of the island. There was a slew of storms and large swells in the water. A few friends and I went over to body surf and catch a few waves. After returning to the parking lot from the water, we realized it was the super moon of 2014 and the moon was rising just after the sun was setting. I didn't have a tripod so I used my backpack to prop my camera up for a long exposure due to low light. I think it was around 2 seconds. A nice set came in giving me the opportunity to capture three waves peeling at one time. The glowing light isn't the sun, but the moon. I tried my best to keep this image as original as possible without much post processing. The glow of the moon was so strong it actually produced a lens flare. Photo: Doug Falter
I always liked photography, but never took it seriously until a few years ago. I took a couple of photography classes while attending high school and did pretty well at it, but after graduating, I put my camera down and took up working on cars as a career. Five years ago, while I was living in Tampa, FL working as a mechanic, I took up surfing. It all began when moved in with a roommate that surfed.
Before I moved in, I had already purchased my first used board for 50 bucks. I was hooked from day one. We loved surfing so much that we would drive two and a half hours one way just to get to the east coast of Florida when swells came. After five years of poor economy and tough work with no room for growth, I finally decided to leave my career as a mechanic behind. As of now… that was the best decision I ever made. After going on a couple surf trips and getting more into it I decided to buy a decent camera and pack up to visit Hawaii. I came for a few months without any expectations, and realized I loved it. After returning to Florida, I made the big decision to pack up and move. I gave everything important to my family, sold my car, packed up some clothes and all my camera gear. Since I have moved here, I have been shooting so much it’s impossible to not learn more and improve. Every day I have breakthroughs. I have been swimming in bigger waves and tuning my camera better.
Follow Doug Falter on Instagram and purchase prints on his facebook fan page.