PYZEL SURFBOARD / FLAMES SPRAY

I'll try and not repeat last weeks minor mishap!

On October 11th I posted some photos and a short reel, in it I claimed the surfboard being worked on was a Pyzel. After it had been glassed and before being sanded, I intercepted its journey through the factory to get a photo, only to realise my blunder, it was an NS, not a Pyzel surfboard. A few days later I followed up with another post and reel of the glassed board, plus a recognition of the hole in the net!

So this weeks chosen surfboard and short reel is a Pyzel with a flame spray.

This is another spray that has had its moments of being extremely popular, although it has been a while since I have done any, and there are now 2 going through the factory.

The late 80's and into the 90's was a prime time for the flame spray, boosted by the radical surfing and 1989 world champ, Martin 'Pottz' Potter. He had a few distinguishable sprays throughout his career, one being the flame spray, a graphic still available on his surfboards today. No surprise really, they do fit onto boards well, and look fast!

Individuals aside, the flame spray swept through the surfboard industry and every surf shop rack had their share, with all the surfboard labels getting in on the trend.

They do still get asked for, as this week shows. Maybe not swamping the racks, but not forgotten, could almost be considered retro, poised for another sweep.

More surfboards and waves @ Surf & Surfboards / sleeplessink.com

ABSTRACT SHAPES IN NEWQUAY HARBOUR

It had been some time, in fact, way too long! It was essential that I went to Newquay harbour with my camera on this morning. 

I actually took two cameras, both light and small enough to be brought along comfortably. My trusty Fujifilm X-pro 3, and the newly acquired Canon 6D with one lens on each camera. There is a saying 'one camera, one lens'.

• Fujifilm X-pro 3: XF 27mm f/2.8 R RW
• Canon 6D: EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Pancake

As the Fujifilm X-pro 3 has an APS-C crop sensor, the 27mm lens is equivalent to 41mm.

The Canon 6D is a full frame camera so uses all of the 40mm lens.

So between the two cameras and chosen lenses, I had only one focal length to work with, but that is what I wanted. This way I got to practise with the 6D and learn its strengths, while at the same time take similar framed shots with the X-pro 3, so I could review, print, and pay attention to the different look and feel of each of the camera's photographs.

All that aside, it was so good to get down there. It was low tide so I made my way down onto the sand among the fishing boats. I had no real vision of what I wished to capture, I was just enjoying the freedom found with no limits or restrictions.

I had forgotten why I like it down there so much, it is alive, even when quiet. There is the forever ebb and flow of the tide, plus the changing conditions of the North Atlantic – of course all moving within the framework of the seasons. The brutal storms of winter, when many boats are up on the quay for repairs, the summer crowds with tourist tours, fishing charters and water sports, while the local fishermen carry on bringing in the daily catch through it all.

Canon 6D   1/3200   f/2.8   ISO: 100

Canon 6D   1/1000   f/5.0   ISO:100

Fujifilm X-pro-3   1/2000   f/5.6   ISO: 160

Fujifilm X-pro 3   1/2000   f/5.6   ISO: 160

More photographs from the harbour can be seen @ harbour : sleeplessink.com

SURFBOARD GLASSED / QUICK CORRECTION / SHORT REEL

So, first of all a quick correction.

In the last post, I mistakingly thought it was a Pyzel board, it turns out it is a NS surfboard. Sometimes I do so many boards in a day, by the time I'm home, or get round to editing the photos or video of the day, I can't remember what make each surfboard was.

Well, that board has now had the fin boxes put in and has been glassed with NS logos, so it is very clearly not a Pyzel surfboard!

FLUORESCENT PINK PYZEL SURFBOARD SPRAY (SHORT REEL)

This fluorescent pink spray on a Pyzel surfboard came through the factory this week. Unfortunately I didn't have the tripod with me, so I took the photos holding the camera in one hand, while working on the board with the other. It was a little tricksy!

The next morning I brought the tripod, which enabled some short footage to be taken. The work had already be done, so all that was left was the finished surfboard going into the rack while music played and we had a laugh.

More artwork and photographs @ sleeplessink.com

NEW SURF IMAGE ADDITIONS TO 'SURF & SURFBOARDS'

Four new photographs for the 'Surf & Surfboards' page on my website.

The last of the four photos in the set was posted here 1st on September 9th. That post was to celebrate the opening week of excellent waves in September. It's now early October and we are enjoying another run of good surf...with the sun out as well!

All the shots are from Fistral (Beach), apart from the 3rd, this photograph was taken in Mexico a few years ago. This day was so much fun! 3-4ft swell, light winds, warm water, minimum crowd...perfect fun surf. Truth is, I couldn't exactly pinpoint the day, I have been extremely fortunate in having had it like this on numerous occasions, so the memories blend effortlessly into just being stoked.

More waves and surfboards @ sleeplessink.com

SQUARE 1:1 SKETCHBOOK & DRAWING (SHORT REEL)

Excerpt from the October Bulletin on my website.

In the early July Bulletin, I mentioned a visit to the Krowji Open Studios, were I met the impressive printmaker Fijke Middendorp. Although not quite matching her relentless twenty minutes (at least) each day drawing in her sketchbook, I have enjoyed adding to my own square (1:1) sketchbook.

It seems the blank pages beckon to have faces drawn on them, it has always been this way, or for at least as long as I can remember. I just find the pen moves on its own and the shapes and simple lined expressions take form in front of me.

The process is cathartic and although repetitive, each page delivers something a little different. I’m gravitating to the idea of creating larger, or layered collage pieces using these drawings, allowing them to take on more life then they do when confined to pages in a closed sketchbook.

More @ sleeplessink.com