Finding an unseen beauty in the ocean’s first glow
Capturing light has always been a passion for me. Like many photographers, I’ve spent countless hours chasing it – whether it’s the dramatic break of sun through clouds or the subtle interplay of light and shadow that can transform an ordinary scene.
A few years ago, a new dimension opened up. It started when I began using a GoPro with my bodysurfing brand, Handy Bodysurfing. I discovered that by freezing frames from underwater footage, I could unveil these fleeting moments – pieces of light and nature that are often invisible to the naked eye, gone in an instant.
One of my most cherished discoveries since then has been the character of light as it pushes through the ocean’s surface around dawn. There’s a certain magic to that time of day, as the first rays of sun begin to touch the water and the world above still holds a sense of quiet anticipation. But for me, the real wonder unfolds just beneath the waves.
I often find myself in the surf at first light, usually alone, paddling out into the ocean before the world wakes. There’s a certain ritual to it: the crispness of the cold winter mornings here on the Gold Coast, the quiet thrill of being in the water during those early hours (sometimes sharing it with whatever marine life is also out for an early feed), and the careful, patient positioning required. It all has to come together for that one shot, that one moment.
It takes effort, and a willingness to embrace the pre-dawn chill. But every single one of those early morning shoots feels worthwhile when I return home, upload the footage, and begin to see those captured moments of light playing beneath the surface. Each one is a small revelation.
Camera: GoPro 13
Location: Surfers Paradise
When: December 2024
