Raves & Rants . . from Penzance

It's been some time since I've had the time to update this blog, for which omission, my apologies, dear reader ( you know who you are).  I had a job postponed today, and so have had time to upload a shoot I did yesterday at a local surf spot.......  The LEGO effect   A bright sunlit day, a stiff offshore breeze was initially ripping plumes of spray out of the lined-up wave faces, creating awkward updrafts for the keenest morning surfers, and a pleasant haze across the sea surface.  Advanced surfers who could prevent themsleves from rushing in immediately, and those on a late one after work, caught the best part of the day with the LEGO effect, the Late Evening Glass Off. See how the day changed from EMO (early morning offshores) to LEGO here Return to Ocean-Image.com

Spent today thinking about summer. There's no doubt it's been an epic winter for swell, but it will be nice to hang up the winter wetsuit and shake out the summer one.  Swells may be smaller, crowds may be bigger, but the heat of a summer day can't be beat. Jonty Henshall Jonty Henshall, a cooling run in the summer heat. Return to Ocean-Image.com

The surf mags have followed the big wave events at Waimea Bay, Hawaii and Teahupoo, Tahiti for many years, but now with Aileens becoming a renowned big wave spot, and with these behemoths being ridden at Mullaghmore Head today, surely Ireland can lay claim to being one of the best legitimate Big Wave destinations on the planet ?  Mullaghmore Head today  Pic courtesy of the Billabong site  , taken during Ireland’s first Big Wave Invitational surf contest demonstrating tow-in surfing and organised by The Irish Surf Rescue Club.  Hats off to anyone who ventured into the water under these conditions, as cold and heavy as any I've ever seen. Return to Ocean-Image.com

Just loving this artist . . The arms say it all Not in a gallery, just a bright moment of inspiring graffiti brightening up a dull, grey, industrial wall. Return to Ocean-Image.com

Here's a couple of images from a recent shoot with a Jazz band. Shot using digital, but with a Black and White eye. Always good to have some cool tunes blowing while you're working too. Reminded me of my old darkroom and my Durst enlarger.......... Durst enalarger - yours if you want it Now surplus to requirements if you know anyone who could use it? Return to Ocean-Image.com

A stunning blue sky day arrived out of nowhere so I went for a swim. A solitary bird wheeled above me, seemingly intent on watching the waves roll in. south coast wanderer Return to Ocean-Image.com

Hope you had a memorable festive season, and 2011 has many open doors for you.  I'll be continuing to do that thing that photographers do, including swimming around whenever there's some decent surf. Mike hard at work shooting in his studio This pic is courtesy of  the long lens of Photographer and Photoshop Master  Geoff Tydeman , a long time contributor of top quality imagery to the surf media.  Thanks are also due to Geoff for showing me the light in one of my photographs recently. Happy New Year. Mike Return to Ocean-Image.com