Saturday, February 28, 2009

a couple of lifted diagrams from post hull pics second thread

This diagram explains how albatross accelerate so quickly when in flight- very applicable to the the manner in which displacement hulls pick up speed....

"Dynamic soaring -- Albatrosses perform a fascinating and complicated flight maneuver called dynamic soaring, in which energy can be extracted from horizontally moving air and transferred to the bird so that an energy gain is achieved which enables it to fly continuously without flapping. Dynamic soaring is possible when the wind speed changes with altitude. This type of wind, which is called shear flow, exists in the boundary layer above the ocean surface in areas in which albatrosses are found. Dynamic soaring consists of periodically repeated cycles, with one cycle illustrated to the left: 1 - climb (windward flight); 2 - upper curve (change of flight direction to leeward); 3 - descent (leeward flight); & 4 - lower curve (change of flight direction to windward) (Sachs 2005)."

This second diagram is way too funny...but unfortunately true. I am guilty of taking way to many pics of my hulls




Friday, February 27, 2009

waves a comin'... (hopefully)

the forecasts are looking pretty good for the week to come.. hopefully it is more than just hype.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

the benefits of winter....

This shot was taken a couple of weeks ago on the coldest day of the year. Fresh snow fall and a wide open line-up. Its never as cold as you'd imagine.

np- the clash- London Calling- "stand by me"

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Divergent Opinions


You either hate on the hull or are a complete fanatic who continually espouses and subsequently prostyletizes, and obsesses over the platform. I guess, I fall into the second camp... Here is yet another shot of my liddle!! the ding is finally repaired and ready to go- hopefully some off shores and a lil' swell is around the corner

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Two Paths Taken...

I've been playing a bit with a pentax 645 that I picked up recently. This is from my first roll with it. A few more to come. It's a nice change composing with a rectangle format.
Now Playing : M Ward- Hold Time

Monday, February 23, 2009

A Case for Lo-Fi Images

This is an excerpt from Robert Adam's book entitled, "Beauty in Photography: Essays in Defense of Traditional Values"(Aperture Press, 1996). While the section is not written specifically about lo-fi photography, I would suggest it is extremely applicable to the aesthetic. Adam's writes: "The question of how close a photograph ought to stick to the outward appearance of life, even when describing miracles, is not necessarily best answered by the literal minded. Aristotle argued that it was legitimate for playwrights to include probable improbabilities, things that were unbelievable except within a playwright's imaginary world onstage, provided that the overall production revealed truths about life as we experience it off stage." It is here, within this context that i would suggest that successful lo-fi images should be understood.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Fun Times Last Night at Mollusk NYC




Incredibly fun night at the Mollusk Surf NYC Surfy Foto Exhibit. The gallery was packed out with great vibe in the room. Mollusk and newyorksurf.com has done so much for the NY surf scene in terms of bringing people together and allowing a community to emerge. The scene last night will be remember for some time to come. How often do you get to have an extended chat with Tony Alva? Unreal!!! Thanks again to Chris, Mike and the Mollusk crew as well as Secret Project Robot Gallery for providing the gallery space. Thanks also to Dubstar and Jah Bless for the righteous tunes!! special thanks to my wife Pjay for her supporting my photography!

Friday, February 20, 2009

salt stained eyes at mollusksurfnyc 2/21 6PM-10PM


looking forward to saturday- mike, chris and the mollusk crew have been so supportive- much thanks again. Psyched to see Snapwater and Matt Clark's prints

Thursday, February 19, 2009

what a carnival ride today was....

I just got back from a brief sojourn to the west coast (just west of the Hudson River that is). Insane reeling rights (Kirra style); out with a bunch of familiar and friendly faces. I didn't get a ton of waves but the ones I got will properly stored in the recesses of my mind!! I'm in the mood for some post-surf Indian food!

Dont Forget the Mollusk Surf NYC Surf Photography Exhibit 2/21 6PM til 10PM- Work by Tommy Snapwater Colla, Matt Clark and yours truly. Come out for some viewing/listening pleasure, & good surfy conversation. Address etc here: http://mollusksurfshopnyc.com/

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

old school displacement hull

I scored this old hull off of craigslist- 7'6 with a original variable w.a.v.e.s.e.t. fin and box. Gel coat was "restored"with the classic ska rudeboy pattern. I didnt know Rudy was a gothic dolphin!! I never surfed this board as I was too obsessed with my fineline microant II and a subsequent used 6'6 liddle M3P fell into my hands- I sold this board to fund the liddle purchase-I believe it all worked out well for me.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

early morning stoke

My man, Froth, all stoked out before 6:30 AM. While doing the walk back after a nice cover-up, the dude could barely slow-up to say, "Hey, did ya check that last wave out?"!!! Serious smiles going 'round !!

Monday, February 16, 2009

too long between swells 'round here

This shot was from two weeks ago... it's been that long since we have had a quality wave. West winds have been howling and no atlantic activity. Hopefully that will change as the week progresses.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Homegrown Decks by GangplanksNYC

GangplankNYC decks out of Rockaway, NY- seriously homegrown right down to the local sand used for traction!! Killer lam on deck- I'll post pic later- sneakers by VANS
A woeful week of flatness predicted and I am off for vacation. The Noll curse continues!!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Mollusk-kine Photo Exhibit gaining momentum!!


Had a day of mild weather this week so I was able to get on the longskate for a bit of a cruise- skate snap!!!

Friday, February 13, 2009

Mollusk Surfshop NYC Photography Exhibit at Secret Project Robot

Come out and join us!! The gallery is next door to Mollusk NYC and the space is amazing!!! Music spun by jah bless and dubstar!!! 2/21/09 7PM til 10PM.

Much props to Snapwater AKA Tommy Colla and Matt Clark for their incredible images. I am honored to show with these guys!!!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

the westies continue, awesome sky though

YET ANOTHER DAY OF WHIPPING WEST WIND. I am big time over it! Outside of last Wednesday afternoon(which was quite fun), I can not recall a day of light offshore winds in quite some time.

On another note- Salt Stained Eyes will be showing along with Snapwater and Matt Clark at the Mollusk NYC's Surfing Photography Exhibit at the Secret Project Robot Gallery (right next door to MolluskNYC). The shows opening is Feb 21st from 7 PM till 10PM. Music by Dubstar and Jah Bless as well as video shorts. Should be epic. Come on out for a good night!!

Mollusk Surf Shop
210 Kent Avenue Brooklyn, NY
7182187456

mollusknyc@gmail.com
http://www.shipwormandgribble.blogspot.com/

More info Here: http://www.newyorksurf.com/2009/02/10/surf-photography-exhibit-at-mollusk-ny-221/

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

foggy surfcheck #2

still onshore, foggy and rainy...... waiting desperately for those early spring swells & warmer weather..

Monday, February 9, 2009

crappy road snaps


I love snappin shots while either driving or being a passenger in the car. It is the ultimate candid moment as people alone in their cars are often acting "truly and utterly as themselves". I snapped these two recently. One on my way to visit mollusk and the other on the way for a surf. shooting like this lends it self to ragged composition and real spontaneous flow.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Pushin' a fish on a longboard wave

I am continually amazed by the versatility of the twin keel design and the degree to which it can be surfed in mush, chop and steep walled-up conditions. Here, a guy I know was doing quite well on a wave that typically only really works for traditional heavy logs. While he was having quite a bit of fun, it still struck me that the wave really was much better suited for a hefty log with a good bit of glide... To each is own, I suppose.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

The Polar Bear Gathering... NY Style!!





Here are some recent shots from the Long Beach Polar Bear Gathering that apparently broke the World Polar Bear gathering record. Probably 5000 or so very psyched people took part. Such a wild scene- everyone was so stoked to have a momentary imaginary summer swim. It was great to do this kind of shooting again, it reminded me of how much I used to enjoy doing street photography. The spontaniety, quick composing and mindfulness required all make for an extremely flowy experience. All and all i am quite stoked on these shots, hope ya dig...

another frigid day ahead....

Temps are supposed to top out today in the high teens, this combined with more artic wind is putting me in mind of warmer days. Thankfully, we had a remarkable day of waves yesterday. Longer period groundswell, perfect wind conditions and waves with incredible form were to be found with minimal crowding. I am still smiling from yesterdays session.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

the proper way to share a wave

It's always cool to get hooted on by a friend when your slotted in the perfect spot!!

I got to catch a few waves after work today- clean waist-stomach high lines, heavy snow and a nice offshore flow, fun times on the hull. It is so fun to be in the water when the snow is falling and dusk is approaching. The waves were far from incredible but the solitude and the overall quiet feel of a snow covered beach are things I have come to really appreciate.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

shooting the jetty

There is nothing like a lined-up longboard wave. Many a board have been lost to these rocks!