It's taken me years to find my niche within my photography, and now that I have, it's such a great place to be.
It's taken me years to find my niche within my photography, and now that I have, it's such a great place to be.
This is by far the best water shot I've ever taken: a fisheye shot at "The Right." I got really sick of the crowds in the channel, so water shots became my main focus here. I can't wait for the next one. Photo: Russell Ord
I had been in Hawaii two weeks and hadn't swam once because the crowd was so intense and I couldn't see the point. Only to come home, get up in the morning and shared this with good mate and great surfer Brett Hardy. Photo: Russell Ord
This is my preparation for The Eddie, as you can see I am shooting the backs of the crowd that line the streets at 4 in the morning. Just another reminder of the serenity of home that I love so much. Photo: Russell Ord
Cale Grigson is what they like to call an underground surfer, mainly because the focus from mags and sponsors fall elsewhere. Regardless, this guy surfs incredibly well, and can take a heavy wipeout too. Photo: Russell Ord
Up close with Bottle Thompson, I never got this shot run from this trip, but for some reason just loved what was happening. If photo editors don’t shoot water themselves, they just don’t realize how close we are in these situations. Photo: Russell Ord
Mark has made more trips out West than most, and we were lucky enough to share a solo session at a secluded slab. Location – well you're not going to hear it from me. Photo: Russell Ord
Yes, I am guilty of snagging a behind shot of a fit looking Alana Blanchard, on a trip to the Philippines. Having spent two weeks with Alana and getting to know her on more of a personal level I really enjoyed her company and how well she surfed. Photo: Russell Ord
Kelly going out for a heat this year at Snapper. This is how to avoid the crowds on the beach while shooting. Photo: Russell Ord
I love this shot of Michel because it’s my first ever shot of his home break, and he does a great job of making it look very easy. Photo: Russell Ord
This is from the same wave as the Chris Ross but shot from the channel; I love the colors of the river water running through it. Photo: Russell Ord
The typical through-the-wave duck dive shot. It never gets old, especially when this clear. Ry Craike at home. Photo: Russell Ord
Not much to be said here. One crazy wave and a decent hold down to follow. Photo: Russell Ord
A nice early morning swim at The Box. Unfortunately, the crew I had assembled didn’t want to do the paddle but Parko was all over it before the pack. Photo: Russell Ord
A nice sneaky session from when the Tour circus was in town for the 6-Star Prime, everywhere was packed with photogs/surfers but luckily we had local knowledge on our side. Love the light. Photo: Russell Ord
Took ages to track down Neco for this portrait for Hardcore Magazine, but good friend JP managed to find out where he was staying. I hadn't met Neco before this and I didn't expected him to willingly participate. But it was totally the opposite, and Neco was a real character. Photo: Russell Ord
Charging at home on one of his shaper/father Kirk's boards – it's super impressive the way he goes about it. Photo: Russell Ord
I made a passing comment to Shaun, jokingly, that if he could look a little more casual when he surfs this heavy reef break. So he gave me this soul arch. Photo: Russell Ord
Not a bad backdrop for wave hunting. Photo: Russell Ord
Just a nice looking empty. I love empties. Photo: Russell Ord
This is a an old fishing hut on a group of islands off the coast of Western Australia. There is no one around this time a year because it's the offseason, but it can be a great place to hide from an incoming storm. The next day we found a few amazing waves. Photo: Russell Ord
A portrait of the artist: surf photographer Russell Ord.
I do not want to take a combination of good surf photos over time. Nor do I want do I want to be remembered for just being in the channel at the right time and right place capturing the surfer’s wave of a lifetime. Because in the end, that’s easy. As a photographer I want to remember myself for taking that “one” photo – not because of the surfer’s name or reputation, but because of the position I put myself in to capture the moment in time.
An amazing view of the ocean cannot be captured without an element of risk; It’s taken me years to find my niche within my photography, and now that I have, it’s such a great place to be.
For more information and to view more of Russell Ord’s work, check out RussellOrd.com.