SHOOTING WITH CAMERA SETTINGS 1:1 ASPECT RATIO

On occasion, here and there, I have used the 1:1 aspect ratio on my Fujifilm X100F, which I have owned for a few years now. It's a lovely camera and using the square, 1:1 ratio, was just a way of exploring different settings without any idea to use or print the images.

For a long time I have been a fan of Vivian Maier, an American street photographer whose work I can just stare at and admire, page after page. She primarily used Rolleiflex cameras that produced 1:1 aspect ratio (6cm x 6cm) photographs.

Recently I found some of my earlier experimental (1:1) images and remembered the fun I had with an alternative approach and framing images differently. So now, rather than just running through the camera settings for the sake of it, I carry two cameras and have set the X100F to 1:1 and Monochrome permanently, and kept my X-Pro 3 to 3:2 aspect ratio and colour. This allows me to delve further into the approach while enjoying something new.

This, I must point out, is in no way my attempt to produce photographs as good or similar to Vivian Maier's work – I would think that impossible, her work is so sublime. I just find it quite natural to see images and frame up photographs using the 1:1 ratio. I don't see it overriding all my work, it's just very rewarding to have the camera all set up and ready to go when the moment presents itself.

At this point I'm not sure if there will be a dedicated page on my website for my black and white photography, we will see. Of course there is plenty of colour photography plus graphic illustration and collage work to be seen @ sleeplessink.com

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER SURFBOARD SPRAY

Just to add another plate to spin while at work, I've been manoeuvring a tripod and camera around to capture the process of spraying a surfboard. Because of my inexperience with imovie, it actually takes longer to edit a short clip than to spray a board.

Still, despite decades of spraying surfboards, only now am I starting to document what has been my career. Having done it since 1989, the majority of years have been without the internet, and the now norm of reels and clips, to the point of it didn't happen unless it was filmed!

That said, I have rummaged through a nicky nacky noo draw and found some photographs of boards I sprayed in the 90's.

More artwork, illustrations and photographs @ sleeplessink.com

GREAT DAY ON THE NORTH SHORE OF OAHU

It's great having a folder of photographs from my time spent on the North Shore of Oahu in February this year. Of course being there was fantastic, seeing the incredible seven mile miracle, walking up and down the stretch of beach between 'Log Cabins' and 'Sunset Beach' – within minutes checking 'Off The Wall', 'Backdoor', 'Pipeline' and 'Rocky Point'.

My visit coincided with the 'Billabong Pipeline Pro', so not only did I get to see the famed waves, but also the worlds best surfers free surfing and competing in them. Generously, Iain 'Ratso' Buchanan (WSL head priority judge) got us into the judging tower for a couple of heats on finals day, before watching the rest of the comp from the V.I.P area.

The tension in the judging tower was palpable, so we sat in silence and despite the privilege of being there, it was good to leave and let the judges do their job. The competition came to its conclusion with Jack Robinson coming out as the victor.

With only a couple of days before the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach (just up the road), the contest area was dismantled, and the judges returned to their house situated overlooking Sunset Beach and the world famous lineup. The team kindly invited us to that evenings BBQ, so we drank beer, ate great food and had a laugh. Thanks to all of them!

More photographs from the North Shore @ sleeplessink.com

ONE FRAME TURNS TO LOGO

This sequence was taken during a surf trip to Costa Rica in 2016. Of course I am very happy to have a few shots of me surfing, especially as I have spent thousands of hours in the ocean over the years. So with just a handful of photos to hold onto they are valuable to me. 

Also stoked to have one of the frames in the sequence being used for the Ocean Magic logo. I never looked for this to happen, I've been happy to just surf and spray surfboards, a job that has allowed me to go surfing when I wanted to. That said, it's nice to get some use out of one of the many seconds I've been in the water.

The new OM logo is loosely based on the logo from the 80's.

NEW SURFBOARD & ARTWORK FOR CHOCCY

Another day at work, another board to spray, this time for Chris Owen, friend and owner of Choccy's by Newquay skatepark.

Paint drags seem to be in vogue just now, of course that may only last a minute! Having sprayed surfboards for 34 years, I've seen a lot of trends come, and a lot of trends go. Over the years there have been sprays that became iconic when on the boards of high profile surfers; Tom Curren, Martin Potter, Cheyne Horan and just this year John John Florence with the Pyzel Red Tiger spray, of which I have done several at the Ocean Magic surfboard factory.

I have recently become aware of the work of Ryder Biolos for Lost surfboards in San Clemente, California. Her brush work is very good and she has developed a style which is recognisable as hers.

More artwork and photographs by me can be seen at sleeplessink.com