Surfing
Behind The Lens: Ray Collins
Getting to know the personalities behind some of your favourite surf images.
An unknown in Hawaii
© Ray Collins
Surf photography is a fine art. There’s the pure “surf porn” action shots, there’s the artistic speed blurs, there’s capturing the magnitude of a big wave, there’s poignant moments captured in faces and cultures. We all have our favourite images and darling photographers. But what about those you don’t know? The ones you aren’t already familiar with? Over the next few months Red Bull will be taking you behind the lenses of some of Australia’s best.
To begin, let us introduce you to a man named Ray Collins. We’ve asked Ray to pick out a few of his best shots – the ones he really loves. Those are the images you see on this page. Go on, get behind the lens of Mr Collins.
Eddie Blackwell's POV, by Ray Collins
© Ray Collins
So Ray, where are you from?
I'm from a place called Bulli on the South Coast of New South Wales. I currently reside in Thirroul, which is the next suburb north. It's a cool little pace, nestled between a mountain and the sea.
And, how old are you now?
I was born on St Patrick’s Day in 1982, so I'm 33 years old.
How did you get into surf photography?
The ocean has been a part of my life since not long after St Patty's day in 1982 – it's all I know. My involvement with the ocean came to a grinding halt in 2007 after a knee injury, so I bought a camera and really liked it. The best rehab for my knee was actually swimming, and it lead to an organic mesh of my new hobby, photography, and my lifestyle around the ocean. It just felt right.
Mark Matthews at The Right
© Ray Collins
When did you realise that you wanted to make your hobby a career?
I've had a few of those “aha” moments actually. It used to be getting published in magazines – that would spur me on. Then went to getting magazine covers. Then all of a sudden, in 2012, I was kind of burnt out. I didn't shoot all year and I lost my passion for “surf” photos. After a while I started to concentrate more on the ocean as a whole, and in the end, found the purity of the subject had lead me full circle – it took me back to wanting to take photos, more and more.
I know that I'll always document the ocean in some form. It's too beautiful not to.
An unknown at Burleigh Point
© Ray Collins
What’s the toughest thing about your job?
Being your own harshest critic.
And do you consider yourself to be “living the dream”, as they say?
I'd say that yin cannot exist without yang. There are two sides to the dream and there are always sacrifices you have to make to “live it”, so to speak. But more often than not it IS the dream – you get to see some beautiful cultures and meet some amazing people.
You gain a lot of riches that money can't buy.
Brad Norris, eyeing off his enemy, spread eagle
© Ray Collins
What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to someone who’s looking to get into surf photography?
Shoot what YOU want to see. Gain inspiration from others, but execute your own ideas – we're all beautiful and unique humans and the things we create should be the same.
Dylan Longbotton inside the barrel
© Ray Collins
What I consider to be critically important… If in doubt, don't go out – a photo isn't worth dying for.
Mikala Jones, Pipeline
© Ray Collins
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt throughout your career?
Trends will come and go.There will be seasons where certain lenses and techniques are in favour, but if you have a vision and stay true to it you'll be happy no matter what.
Dream, Plan, Execute.
If you'd like to learn more about Ray and his work, you can follow his Facebook here, check out his Instagram over here or even buy his book, Found At Sea.
Stay tuned for the next edition of Behind The Lens, coming soon.