Gallery Mike Maxted - Loud and clear

In: Fluidzone Focus 0 Comments Photographer Maxted Thu 2nd Dec '10

Tags: Mike Maxted , Ryan Hardy , Jake Stone , Chris White , WA

Mike Maxted has given us thirteen reasons to look beyond the ascetics of beautiful photography and fire up the brain cells. Read his take on some of the images shot this year. I am a firm believer that talk is cheap and action speaks volumes for a man. But in this case word is mightier.

If you want to keep up to date with all the happenings of Mr Maxted be sure to bookmark www.mikemaxted.blogspot.com for images often shot souly for the purpose of sharing with you, and the rest of the WWW surfers.

 

1: Adam Leuhman - Box
Box can be an amazing place to shoot, but it can also be an absolute let down. This day was the latter, the conditions were perfect, but the slightest switch in swell direction turns perfect 4-6ft ramps into pinching end bowls. Leuhman still managed to snavel a couple of the better waves whilst everyone was whinging about how bad it was!

2: Adam Leuhman - Rabbits
This day at Rabbits was EPIC! One of the best full days of surfing I have ever witnessed. When I say full day, I mean it, sun up til sun down, which is very rare in WA! Leuhman was one of the clear standouts on the day paddling into some of the throatiest but most mechanical beachies I have seen! Ha, I laugh remembering a couple of Portuguese riders that couldn't believe that a wave this amazing broke on sand! I love this angle too, so scenic!!

3: Brendon Backshalll - Rabbits
Thinking back, there were only a handful of guys finding sections to hit out there this day. That's how heavy some of the barrels were. Brendo already had his fill of sick pits earlier in the day and was actively seeking out some ramps, he loves a punt and he sure can Invert the shit out of this place!

4: Brad Hughes - Deep South
This photo to me captures the feeling of what it's like to chase waves in WA's deep south. Although it's an amazing place to be, there is so much unknown about the vast coastline that there's always a element of uncertainty in the back of your mind. This image of Brad paddling off into the distance without a clear view of what's ahead tells a story not only about the area, but also about him!

5: Brad Hughes - Deep South
It's amazing what you can find when you spend time searching. We drove for hours to surf a wave that never came good, so instead of packing up and heading home, we searched. The wave has a heap of potential, this day was inconsistent but a couple of waves came through that made it worthy, I've also never seen any photos of it which made the session that much more rewarding!

6: Ben Veitch - Rabbits
"SixFour Beachy" (Ben Veitch) makes any wave look small. He's one of the biggest humans I have ever seen on a body board, but he by no means looks out of place in the water. This gurgler at Rabbits should have got the better of him, but somehow he managed to scoop in after the free fall and travel a fair way in the pit. He's a great kid but I reckon his boards would be more buoyant than an asylum seekers boat!

7: Chris White - Rabbits
If you're not having a laugh when Whitey's around, then there's something wrong with you! This day, mostly due to the crowded lineup, every other rider was so seriously intent on making the most of each wave and not blowing a photo opportunity, but not Wongy, he knows how to soothe the tension, pardon the pun!
  
8: George Humphreys - Mandurah
There are 3 new kids on the block in WA that I really like watching surf, Lewy Finnegan, Cam Hutchins and this Wedge Rat, George Humphreys. This day was random, I checked it early with Hardy, Hughes, Chad and Stoney and you wouldn't have known it was even a wave. I went back solo later that arvo to find 4ft ramps with only George and Tim Fowler out in the lineup!

9: White/Stone - Box
I was loving this photo when I first saw it, the yellow housing is Chris White's video camera and obviously with Jake and himself working so hard on their own video projects it tells a little story in itself. I love how Jake's carved out a perfect bottom turn and he's looking so intensely back at the camera and the awaiting bowl. It sets a scene of angst and excitement and just like in their movies, you know something pretty crazy is about to happen.

10: Matt Purnell - Yallingup
This particular morning Hose and I decided to go for a swim at a crystal clear beachie whose banks come and go within days, we were the only 2 people out all morning. These to me, are the most rewarding sessions. No packed beaches of paparazzi, no pro riders, no crowded lineups, no pressure. Just 2 good mates enjoying good times and fortunately having something to show for it!

11: Nick Perry - Box
I've spent a little bit of time with Nick this year and we've scored some pretty good waves. This again, was an inconsistent Box day with a crowded lineup. Nick decided to pick off the waves that everyone else was leaving, which turned out to be the better waves of the day. Within the space of 10mins he snavelled 4 sick ones including this pit that engulfed him as it spat it's guts out and pushed him onto the shoulder! Nick's a great bloke, but duck for cover if he's got a cricket bat!

12: Ryan Hardy - Mandurah
Ryan Hardy at Mandurah wedge is a photographers dream. His style is flawless, check the flat palm grip, the meticulous placement of the angled torso, the slightly spread legs and sunken fins that act as anchors to slow him down whilst he carves the wave like a Christmas Turkey, the well thought out placement of the sponsors logos and the carefully prepped hair! Like I said, the style is flawless.

13: Trent Brown - Box
Trent is the pure definition of "underground", not many people would know of him, but he always pops up when the waves are pumping over here and he surfs sick! Actually, one of my favourite photos of this year was of Trent on this particular afternoon! Backlit arvo sessions at Box are rare but oh so dreamy, much like Trent's hair!