Dave Reynolds | Surf Blurb

Intro

Dave C Reynolds is a surfer and surf artist who lives in Huntington Beach, California. He has a real passion for surfing, surf art and craftsmanship. Dave rode his first wave in 1976 and is still surfing now. Since 1988, he developed the skills to handcraft and sculpt some of the world's best surf & SUP awards and trophies.

1. How did you start surfing and what did you expect of surfing when you first stood up?

In the early 70s I started surfing at a spot called Crabs in Seal Beach, California. I didn’t know any surfers to help me get started. I got $17 from my Dad to buy a garage sale surfboard. I made a leash from a piece of rope and a piece of my sister’s belt. I dripped wax from a candle onto the deck.

I knew nothing of surf wax or where a surf shop was to buy some. Me and my buddy Mark Gifford tried over and over until we got it. I still remember that first wave that I rode open face on. I was blown away by how smooth it felt. When the ride was over I just fell over. I’ve never kicked out on a wave before. We called ourselves the “Seal Beach Jetty Jammers.”

Big Wedge @mikeharrisvisuals © Mike Harris | Surfer Parker Cohn @parkernicholas_

That same week the biggest south swell of the summer hit Orange County, so I went straight to the wedge and got a couple good shots.

I got so much pleasure and stroke from it I found myself (for the first time) putting down my surfboard and picking up my camera.

Since then I’ve invested in a Canon 1DX and an aquatech imaging-solutions water housing and I’m loving it.

3. Why surfing is photogenic to you?

Everything is photogenic to me. Photography is an art of observation. When you look through the lens, even the ordinary can become extraordinary, It’s all a matter of perspective.

Light is always the key ingredient to any image, whether sunny or gloomy there’s always amazing opportunities.

It also helps to know your subject, whether that’s an empty wave or a surfer on the wave. Surfing my whole life enabled me to have a natural Instinct to be in the right place at the right time for the shot.

Ultimately, surfing is photogenic because I love it, and when you love something you can always get a great images.

The Wedge @mikeharrisvisuals ©Mike Harris | Surfer Daniel Shea @dsheabutter

The Wedge, Cylinders @mikeharrisvisuals ©Mike Harris | Surfer @chrismansor

4. People seemed to enjoy your work. Your shots have been used by the World Surf League and you have been interviewed by Bliss Magazine already. Did you expect such exposure?

I’m just really grateful that I can get to spend time in the ocean, having fun, being creative with a camera, and meeting some really cool people.

It’s been great to get to know and spend time with a lot of surfers that I only knew from a distance and meet other photographers that I’m so inspired by.

It’s a good feeling to realize there are things nobody would see if I didn’t photograph them, so I’m stoked people enjoy the images I produce.

I believe it’s important not to believe your own press clippings, but to stay humble, and be thankful and to remember that in the big scheme of things, fame and popularity are as fleeting as an Instagram “like”. It’s quick and people move on.

5. Have you got any benefit from your impressive skills as a photographer?

Well, if that means financially, not really.

The real money for me in photography is shooting weddings, portrait /corporate shoots (which I do from time to time) but i’m hoping that changes with water photography.

I recently heard somebody say, “follow your passion, even though there’s not a paycheck at the end of it”.

But there are many other benefits in photography that you can’t put a price tag on. Bottom line, I do it because I love it.

Huntington Beach, South Pier @mikeharrisvisuals ©Mike Harris

6. Would you eventually consider a career as a surf photographer? Why?

Well, that sounds really great and exciting, and don’t think that I haven’t thought about it, but I have three kids, (one in college) a wife, a mortgage, cars, responsibilities, and a dog, and I don’t think it would pay the bills.

Nevertheless, maybe in another life.

7. I understand you are an Assistant Pastor at the Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa. Is there any relationship between your faith and your love for surfing?

The relationship between my faith and surfing is simply the fact that I believe God created this Amazing Play ground we call the ocean. I’m in awe of the diversity, uniqueness, and beauty of it every time I’m in the water.

Amazing to think that approximately 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water and, we have only explored less than five percent of the Earth’s oceans?

The animal and plant life we see at the beach is only a glimpse of all that, I think, God created.