THE CALL OF THE OCEAN WITH PHOTOGRAPHER RODD OWEN
Rodd Owen has been a photographer for more than twenty years, and has been able to travel to some of the most far-flung surf destinations in the world capturing the heaviest waves. He has a passion for the water, and following that calling has led him to some incredible opportunities.
Rodd spoke recently with Deckee about his desire for the next big thrill, his new-found love for fishing and the constant evolution as a photographer.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN PHOTOGRAPHY?
I started taking photos when I was around 16. I surfed all the time and that is pretty much all I did. I started getting pretty good, and all my mates were pretty good as well. We got to the stage where we decided we wanted to try and get sponsored. There were a few really professional surf photographers back then, but they didn’t want to waste their time shooting little grommets.
My mates and I scraped together a bit of money together to buy a camera, and we took turns taking photos of each other in the surf. I started getting pretty good at it, and eventually, I was shooting so much that I gradually put down the surfboard and focused on photography, and I am still doing it today.
YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY HAS A STRONG SENSE OF CONNECTION WITH THE OCEAN, WHERE DID THAT FOCUS COME FROM?
My dad loved the water, and I pretty much grew up on the beach and flying around on boats fishing. Swimming out into big waves was just second nature to me.
When you are out on the water, no two days are the same. Even if you go back to a particular spot, whether you are shooting people fishing or boating or surfing, it may be similar conditions but you never get identical results. There may be bigger fish biting, or different currents, or the swell has picked up. It's something new every day.
WHAT ASPECT OF SURF PHOTOGRAPHY REALLY INTRIGUES YOU?
It's the thrill. I specialise in big, gnarly waves; either swimming in them or getting as close as I can with a jet ski. It can get pretty scary out there, but I love the rush of nearly getting destroyed! When you are that close, you can see the expression on the surfer’s face as they are going through a barrel.
It is fun to be out in the line-up, talking to the surfer’s after they paddle back out after getting a huge ride. It is exciting when you are shooting a big wave, and you capture the surfer going past at the last second it feels like you are there with them. And if you don’t get away with a last-second kick, you can get sucked in there too!
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO CONTINUE TAKING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
I am always trying to evolve, by shooting different subjects in interesting ways. I have been shooting a lot with Deckee brand ambassador Jeff “Scratchie” Thompson and I have been getting into a lot of fishing and boating. It has given me the opportunity to mix up photography a bit, by shooting different angles and perspectives.
HOW HAVE ADVANCES IN CAMERA EQUIPMENT ALLOWED YOU TO CHASE THAT ULTIMATE PICTURE OUT ON THE WATER?
The speed of the camera has come on in leaps and bounds. My best camera shoots about 15 shots a second. When it first started out, you could only get off about 4 shots a second. When I’m shooting surfers in the impact zone, I have around 10 shots to choose from in that split second as they rush past me.
I also do a bit of drone work, and I really love doing that. It's a completely different world than what I am used to shooting.
WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF BEING OUT ON THE WATER?
Getting the opportunity to be outdoors is great. For me, just enjoying pristine environments and beautiful places is what it is all about. It means a lot to me that we can keep those kinds of places unspoiled for as long as we can.
WHAT'S YOUR TIP FOR STAYING SAFE OUT ON THE WATER ON A JET SKI?
I tend to take with me more safety gear than is required. On a jet ski you are not required to make gear out with you at all, which is surprising. It's a good idea to know the rules and learn how to ride safely.
When I go out, I will take my phone, a two-way radio, a jump-starter (in case the battery dies), a couple of flares, and also a fishing knife in case something gets tangled in my prop. It's all about being prepared and having a few forms of communication in case something happens.
WHAT KIND OF MARINE LIFE IS FAVOURITE TO SHOOT?
In Port Stephens there is an abundance of sea creatures that I have been able to shoot. When the whales start to migrate it is a pretty special sight.
We get marlin and giant manta rays, as well as a lot of sharks and dolphins. I can tell you the Great Whites get me out of the surf pretty quickly on those dark mornings. It's scary!
See more of Rodd's work here: www.owenphoto.com.au