The Ocean Photographers of Wales
As Wales enters a national “firebreak” lockdown - this time just for two weeks - we are once again being asked to stay home. Many of us sea lovers from all around the country will be landlocked and missing being in and around the water. We hope this feature with some of our favourite ocean photographers provides you with a bit of a fix until we can be reunited with the ocean!
Please enjoy these aesthetically pleasing photographs and don’t forget to support our local artists by giving them a like on Instagram and booking them in for a photography session sometime.
I'm Carys and I come from Swansea. I grew up down Langland and Caswell so I've always had quite a close relationship with the sea. I currently live in Swansea centre, but aiming to head back toward Gower at some point in the future.
I’d describe myself as an energetic photographer who is up for anything.
My favourite subject to photograph is the surf - any waves or a large body of water. If there's a surfer on the wave, even better but I'm not fussy. I don't have a favourite location to photograph, just times of day. The light during the winter down Gower can be pretty magical.
I tend to get transfixed on how water moves with energy sources in the sea. Water moves so fast and I love trying to capture the moments that are over in a second, like the crest of a wave or the first crash of the biggest wave you've ever seen or a surfer carving into a wave. The added excitement of capturing sports photography just sucks me in also.
“Every wave is different so every capture will have something special about it. The adrenaline I get from shooting in the sea is addictive - there are so many things going on around you especially on a busy day.”
You're avoiding surfers, swimmers, noting when the wave is breaking, your settings are changing, and you're concentrating on what you're shooting and where to point the camera. Not to mention you're carrying a heavy piece of kit making sure it's not going to knock you out. With so much to think about it's no wonder that so many surf photographers say that it just sucks you into the present moment and is more of a cleanse than anything. Surf photography is hard, chaotic and it batters you. But it's the most peaceful and soul calming thing I've got in my life. Nothing compares.
Mark de’Boer Lloyd
Instagram: @markdeboerlloyd
My name is Mark de’Boer Lloyd, I live in Swansea with my wife Amy and 10 month old son Jack. I live about a 5 minute walk from Langland Bay which is my local and have lived in the area my whole life.
I’d describe myself as an action/sports photographer but also really enjoy photographing landscapes and nature.
“Every surf shoot’s completely different with the swell, weather, colours and surfers in the water which is why I enjoy it so much. It’s great to see the progress of surfers from all ages and abilities being made and getting their dose of Vitamin Sea. ”
Whilst you’ll normally find me at Langland, my favourite place for surf photography would have to be the Scottish Highlands as the slab breaks are pretty crazy and the landscape is amazing to go with it too.
Growing up next to the ocean I started to surf at a very young age and understand the waves and coastline. Due to running marathons in my 20’s and picking up a couple of injuries I very rarely surf now but I’m never too far away from the sea and on a dip in swell I’ll shoot sunrise/sunsets over the ocean.
Dayana Del Puerto
Instagram: @dayanadelpuerto
facebook: @dayanadelpuertophotography
vimeo: dayanadelpuerto
youtube: dayanadelpuerto
My name is Dayana Del Puerto and I am originally from Galicia, the unknown 7th Celtic Nation located on the northwest of Spain. For the last 10 years, I have been living and working in Cardiff.
I normally shoot things that contain the sea, surfing, and coastal landscapes. I also like lifestyle photography. My style includes vibrant colours and natural light. Likewise, most of my work also involves video. That’s my real passion, images in motion!
“To spend hours observing the ocean and understanding the many factors that affect the waves. It’s a skill that can take years to develop, but it’s incredibly important.”
I can't get enough of photographing the sea. The wilder and less unspoiled the coastline, the better. I also enjoy the adventure of travelling to different beaches and the excitement of waiting to see what I’m going to discover. All of them are so beautiful, with completely different hues. For me, nothing beats a beautiful sunset on the beach!
Galicia is known as a land of great seafaring traditions, with a coastline that stretches almost 1,000 miles around the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean. In the winter it can be hit by storms with huge waves. Growing up in that environment makes me have a lot of respect for the sea, yet also admiration. I want people to feel that power, but also appreciate the beauty of nature. That’s ultimately an important step toward progressing as a surfer.
I’m Daniel Thompson, I live in Swansea but grew up in landlocked Worcestershire and came to Swansea as a student over a decade ago.
I tend to call myself a water photographer. I enjoy taking photos of anything to do with waves and the sea, be it from the shoreline or in the water.
I predominately shoot around the Gower Peninsula and usually jump in the water at one of the many spots on South Gower. The unique scenery mixed with the potential for good waves makes for some great shots. I also enjoy shooting the everyday surfer at the well-known breaks (Llangennith/Rhossili). But as a very-amateur avid surfer myself, I tend to be surfing when it’s good, so I usually surf for a bit and then go grab my camera and make the most of the light and scenery whatever the conditions.
“Picking up ocean photography provided more opportunities (excuses) to get in the waves and was a good respite from simulating the waves.”
So many aspects seemed to align before I bought a camera and housing. Foremost, I wanted to be in the water more often. I studied waves for a living, modelling them and their impacts on our coastlines - a turning point was realising I had stopped enjoying this; just because I enjoyed being in the water didn't mean I enjoyed researching it.
I also remember the excitement when someone managed to grab a good photo of me surfing - I want to share that with other everyday surfers; it is rare to get a photo of yourself surfing, especially with the notorious paddle out at Llangennith. Being able to capture other surfers and share the photos with them is hugely rewarding. I've also always enjoyed taking photos but had never quite found my 'subject'. It wasn't until my grandmother bought me a Mike Lacey photo of a wave in Cornwall that I thought I'd like to give that a go myself! I think a few wave photographers start like that, even the famous shore break photographer Clark Little mentioned that was how he started. I've moved on from wave modelling work and I'm now involved in researching the associations between the environment and our mental health, and hugely appreciate the role surfing/ocean photography plays in keeping me balanced. Spending more time in the water and sharing moments not easily visible from the coastal path is great fun and incredibly gratifying.
I'm always super keen to take photos so please reach out to me through my social media and I'll be more than happy to join you for a session in the water, whatever the weather/conditions/ability.
