PB sunset session

just a shot from Pacific Beach

Leaving your mark.....

I grabbed this shot of Avery, doing what we all have done at some point or another, writing her name in the sand. There is something about leaving your mark in the sand that seems timeless and rather instinctual. I remember the day my dear brother, Tom passed away, I found myself at the shore line on a cold Christmas Eve morning writing his name and a message in the sand. Maybe its a way to communicate with a force greater than ourselves, something like, "Look, it's me down here". I do not really understand why we do it but at some level it feels right

John Cherry with his 11 foot balsa glider

John was kind enough to let me grab a few portrait shots as we talked about surfboard building and surfing in general. I think he was a bit startled and somewhat amused when i pulled out my duct taped, rickety old crappy toy camera out of my bag. I wish I had my rolleiflex tlr as these shots probably would have worked better had i had proper glass. That said i kinda dig the shot and I hope he is pleased with the photographs as it was an incredible pleasure to hang out with him and shoot his true art.

I am blown away with the work that goes into these beautiful boards- glued up "blanks", templated (rocker and plane shape), spot glued, shaped, disassembled, chambered (sp?), re-glued all before glassing. over 70 hrs per board- a true labor of love!!

If you have not visited john's blog check it here http://woodenshipsbyjcherry.blogspot.com/

11 foot Balsa Glider in Process.. guess who?

Guess who the shaper of this board is?He is probably one of the most humble, down to earth and genuine persons I have met that is associated with surfing. A true craftsman who is not overly impressed with his creations; who is in it for the right reasons; and presents with a balanced and grounded approach to living. More to follow. What a pleasure it was to spend some time talking about his craft.

PS if you like what you see in this blog hit the facebook share button on the bottom of the post- this will help me get more work out to people who might like it- thanks

A New Endeavor, : "Lower than Lo-Fi"

The "Lower than Lo-Fi"series will aim to further break down the photographic surfing image. The above image is a work print that inspired the series. The images will be printed on rough watercolor rag paper, and will be oversized (think 36"x20"). All of the photographs that will be part of the series will be exposed using my extremely leaky medium format plastic lensed camera (the more salt stains the better). All images will be printed in extremely low editions.

rights on a south swell

thrusta style-north side of the oceanside pier. rights into the pylons.

knee paddle

off the o'slide pier.

Working backwards.. California 2010

working backwards...here is the last photograph I took while out in San Diego. It is a shot of my wife, Pjay and daughter, Avery on the Oceanside Pier. I think the shot captures that bitter sweet feeling that occurs at the end of a good time. It reminds me of being a kid on the last day of summer.

back in the saddle..

Just got in from a rather hellish flight home from san diego- a delayed red eye with a 6 year old is interesting. anyway got an hour of sleep, arrived in New York at 6:45 AM(NY time) and was able to get down for a little surf by 8:20 AM. Good to be back home but it was outrageously fun on the other coast. plenty of photos to come.. surfed every day from Encinitas, O'slide, San-O's to Tresles and Huntington pier, (sans a two day detour to disneyland). Met some very nice people and got to visit with some of my favorite shapers. Stay tuned for some california salt stains. The above photo is from last years trip.

hiatus- san'o bound

looking forward to being here... see ya in a few!!

a favorite from last July

the board bag is packed and ready to go. the swellinfo forecast looks decent for where i am heading.. looking hopeful for some fun ones and some good times with my family. Avery is very excited about the jaunt.

early morning glass

Images like this is why i love the pre-dawn summer session. Getting ready for my swing out west- really psyched for the simmons effect in san clemente on Saturday. Also hoping for some consistent surf and morning glass- its been horrid around here

Slide your face right off your wave..

A heavy dose of XM radio's Grateful Dead station and two recent Furthur shows have re-ignited my love of all things grateful...
The fat man spits!!!

happy fourth of July

Enjoy the day, be safe and good luck finding a wave around these parts.... flatsville

summer slide> vacation is on!!

today is the first day of my summer vacation. The slide is on...if we ever get some more waves!!! It should be a nice, restful 7 or so weeks. I am so grateful for the time off my job allows me. I really can't imagine it any other way.....

The family and I are headed out to O'slide next week, so looking forward to a change of the visual landscape. Looking forward to the Simmons Effect at the surf heritage gallery.

A different kind of space craft

there is a lot going on in this shape, might as well be an alien space craft. velosimms by ryan lovelace of point concepts. I am enjoying the flight!!!