Adorama

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Glenn Goes For The Big One

Jan 31, 2011


Monday morning and ready to meet Nick Selway at Kaupulehu which is one of his favorite places to film waves.

My leg still hurts and I'm moving around the condo like The Mummy.
So be it…I'm a warrior, which means I act in spite of fear or pain.

Where the hell is that aspirin?

OK, grab my gear, kiss Ashara who is still sleeping and head out.

I make my way down the 3 flights of stairs slowly and manage to get in behind the wheel of the rental without too much agony.

I meet Nick right on time at 7AM and we start the 20 minute walk to the water. Oh yeah, Nick did say the beach park opens at 9AM and the gates across the road are closed until then.
 
While we walk and I'm doing my best to keep up with Nick, we have a chance to converse about life and photography.

Did I mention Nick is 24 years young?

He's living his dream and passion. I have such admiration [read: envy] for him which is now reflecting in my leg hurting even more.

Wait a sec, what's up with this?

Am I comparing my life with Nick's and again realizing I'm feeling diminished because I'm not fulfilling my purpose, and my passion?

Hmmmm. I'll check in with myself later. Right now, we have waves to film!

We arrive at the 'beach' which due to recent ocean swells is fairly devoid of sand except in the water. So we make our way down the rocks and into the ocean.

Nick has a waterproof case that is perfect for the water. It also has a price tag that is greater than most cameras on the market today. It is an investment for sure.
I have my soft-sided case with the Canon 5D and 24-70mm lens.

A couple of guys are boarding while we are filming so we add them to some of the compositions. Nick is in the water where the waves are breaking 2 to 4 ft. over his head.
 
GULP!

I'm in the 'crunch zone' where the waves are breaking in front of me and I'm getting the full brunt of the wave's energy without the advantage of smooth water.
Nick calls me to move past this point and join him. Meanwhile I'm doing everything I can to keep my injured leg from devolving further into something akin to jelly.

I start to move out and here comes the next set of waves that look like bone crushers.
Quick, decision time. Run or hide?

Really!
Try to move away from the monster or dive under?

I hear all the submarine skippers from all those movies in one swift moment: "Prepare to dive. Dive, dive, dive!"
Down I go under the wave and then pop up after a bit of swirling around underwater.

Did I have the presence of mind to fire the shutter?

All I can think about is the next wave and it is bearing down fast!

OK, repeat previous action, and dive again.

I think I'll go get my longer lens and try some shots from chest-deep water.

With the 70-200mm f/4L lens in place I go back into the water and compose to get Nick and the two guys with their boards in the waves.



Some decent shots here.


After an hour or so we call it good and leave the waves behind.
Walking back up to our cars is more challenging now that my leg is reminding me that it worked hard supporting the rest of my body while in the water.

I'm gonna pay for this big time!

Nick and I talk more at the cars while watching many humpback whales play / breach in the ocean. What a magnificent sight!
We part company and wish each other well.

Nick is a really good guy and a gifted photographer.

Thanks for the morning Nick!

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