Jury 2010
Steve Dickinson
DIRECTOR, PACIFIC MEDIA (NEW ZEALAND)
“You can never take the ocean for granted nor take anyone who can’t look after themselves.” That is the lesson that Steve Dickinson learnt from surf-photography after a harrowing experience in Fiji in 2006 after an event at Cloudbreak.
“We were shooting way out in the channel - completely safe. Huge eight to ten feet waves were rolling in. Then over the loud speaker, someone started yelling from the commentary tower ‘there is a huge wave coming.’ We reacted fast and just managed to get over the massive ten foot plus rogue wave. I was haunted for weeks by the idea of what could have happened."
For the life of a surf-photographer, doing things differently or putting yourself at your limits is just part of the game. “As a teenager when my mates were trying to take photos of each other surfing from the beach – this was way before water proof instamatics - I waded out to my armpits and shot with a plastic bag! This involved a lot of jumping [from the waves]. The images were far from great but it set in stone an attitude of, if you want a great shot, you need to look at different options and sometimes take a risk.”
After starting out as a freelance surf-writer, the move into photography started when “imagery became more consuming than words.” Since starting Ocean Action Magazine in the mid 80’s, Steve has been the director and senior photographer for Pacific Media for over ten years – which includes Adventure Magazine, Curl Magazine and Ski and Snow Magazine.
Is being a director any different to his early days with just a camera and pen in hand? “There is no such thing as a typical day – some days are spent in the office running the business, but I could just as easily be on a mountain-side shooting snow or getting burnt to a crisp shooting surf. I guess what maintains the joy is the variety, working with a great product and great people. I am also lucky enough to work every day with my wife who is both my business partner and my best friend. So the job is all consuming – it is a lifestyle not a job.”
For anyone new to action and adventure sports photography, it is easy to underestimate how much blood and sweat goes into getting the image. For people with an experienced eye, the photographer’s dedication in getting the image comes straight across. “No one knows how hard some photographers work to get that one ‘special’ shot. It may be a lifetime of technical know-how or a five day climb up an ice face. But that effort is always reflected in the image – even if the only person who can see it is the photographer himself.” However, Steve notes that it is the end result that is all-important. “Passion for the image is completely internal, it is less about the process of photography and more about the final image.”
What criteria does he use when choosing photos for his publications? “When we evaluate images for our publications, we look with different eyes for different environments. If its mercenary, does is clearly show the logo? If its educational, does it show the full mountain range? If we’re looking for accuracy, is that guy wearing a lifejacket for example? But if we’re looking for impact, there’s the F.T.C rule – that is when you turn the page and the comment should be “F*#K that’s cool!”
As for becoming an accomplished surf photographer, he acknowledges that it isn’t easy. “There are so many variables, so much visual narrative in each image and it’s so technically challenging.” What advice would he give to any aspiring photographer hoping to take great pictures? “Ansel Adams said ‘There are always two people in every picture, the photographer and the viewer.’ I believe those two individuals are both taken into consideration then you have a recipe for success, the trick is understanding the needs of both.”
For Steve, the photography industry has changed positively in the last decade. “Photography was once an ‘ivory tower’ where no one knew what went on - there was mystery and intrigue. But the birth of digital has thrown the door wide open. No longer are darkrooms the bastion of the elite. Anyone can shoot, anyone can master, and anyone can learn the basics. Access and the availability of images has put massive pressure on established photographers to grow with the new industry and this pressure has simply evolved into better results.”
Steve is buzzing about Red Bull 2010 and hopes the competition will live up to the dizzy-heights of the first competition. “I was amazed at the quality and vision of the competition. I am prepared to be blown away by the next batch of entries because now everyone knows the value of being involved and the value of winning. I am honored to be involved.”
