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Zeke Lau
"The light on the beach was gorgeous, so I asked Zeke if we could leave the Quiksilver House and walk down on the sand." And what happens next? Oh you'll die! | Photo: Justin Jay/@justinjayphoto

How to: Photograph Beach Studs!

Learn "power dynamics"! Discover how to snatch "untiring steel"

Question: have you ever wanted to take photos of real men, capturing the ebullience and the confidence, the intensity and untiring steel?

No? Me neither!

But, here, for the sake of self-examination and the case of tour rookie Zeke Lau, let’s ask Justin Jay, whose photos have been drizzled onto BeachGrit each day this week. Let’s talk “power dynamic!”

I’m in total control, while they remain off balance. It’s a power dynamic that some photographers relish and try to use to their advantage. I don’t enjoy it at all, it leaves me with that same jittery feeling in your gut you have while you watch a comedian bomb.

“It’s always interesting taking photos of people that are slightly nervous or uneasy in front of my camera,” says Justin. “It’s ironic that someone can battle life-threatening waves, but for a brief moment while they are in front of my lens, I’m in total control, while they remain off balance. It’s a power dynamic that some photographers relish and try to use to their advantage. I don’t enjoy it at all, it leaves me with that same jittery feeling in your gut you have while you watch a comedian bomb. I always try my best to shoot subjects in their own environment, surrounded by their friends etc. The light on the beach was gorgeous, so I asked Zeke if we could leave the Quiksilver House and walk down on the sand. It was a highly visible spot on the beach. Zeke could definitely sense all the prying eyes from everyone on higher ground. His anxiety was palpable and I felt almost guilty. The sunset lighting was breathtaking, but three frames were all that I needed. I knew that single expression I was seeing through my lens was the entire range of emotions that I was going to be able capture. I quickly nailed the shot and suggested that we head back up to the house. Once we returned to the relative privacy of his porch, his entire demeanour transformed. He was now back in his element with Reef McIntosh, Kanoa Igarahsi and the rest of this crew. I snagged another terrific shot of him laughing with the boys. After I left Hawaii and returned to NYC, he sent me a thank you note wishing me happy holidays and  letting me know that he thought the portrait we took was “mental.” A true class act.

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Lorlac

This feels like Stab Derek

NEGATRON

Shhhhh, dont tell anyone but Derek started STAB.

Michael Cera's Moustache

Illuminati confirmed

Blunted Sultan

just the thing surfing needs right now…more New York art fags on the gravy train!!!

Abscessed Llama

Most 20 year old pro surfer’s bore me all they do is surf not much extra. I’d be willing to bet more interesting people below than above!

Kennypowersmullet

This guy has pics of one of you two fucking a goat or you tried to pull a sarge on him for sure..
There’s no other explanation for this drivel.

Captain Clark

Define pulling a “sarge”.

Kennypowersmullet

trying to suck a man’s dick whilst he’s alseep an said man waking up to sarge with your dick in his hand..
A frightening wake up, unless thats your thing?

Captain Clark

Can we please move on from this doldrum? A wise old sailor once said, “I can harness the wind, but I’m not its bloody creator. I can’t make the wind blow.” Unlike the crusty captain who coined this quote, you are capable of creating the wind that drives this sailing machine. Please huff and puff us into a different direction Derek, cause this dullness is killing me!

Tired old guy

…


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