Behind the Shot with Chris Burkard

Nicaragua Speed Blur by Chris Burkard

Nicaragua Speed Blur

“On this trip to Nicaragua Keith Malloy brought along his alaia. This is a type of surfboard that is thin and has no fins, it basically looks like a piece of thin wood carved in the shape of a surfboard. The boards go faster than any other type of board, but are extremely difficult to master. Being the versatile surfer that he is, Keith Malloy is able to ride that board in a variety of conditions and places. I really wanted to capture the speed that this board creates and slowing my shutter down allowed me to accentuate the speed he really is traveling on that wave. “

Illuminated Shores by Chris Burkard

Illuminated Shores

“When planning this trip to Norway I knew there was a good chance that the northern lights would be putting on a show at least one of the nights. Little did I know how spectacular they would actually be. I never bank on seeing them because of their unpredictability and on past trips when I had seen them I wasn’t always in the best place to capture a captivating photograph. This evening as the light faded the hints of northern lights began to form and I immediately grabbed my gear and trekked out into the freezing wind and fresh snow. Just hours earlier a snow storm had swept through the valley we were in, but as if by divine appointment the skies cleared and the show began. I was as cold as I had ever been, but it was all worth it as I was able to capture a truly special moment.”

Bright as Night by Chris Burkard

Bright as Night

“This was a shoot we had set up with a bunch of remote flashes that would fire towards the wave and surfer. Shooting late like this is always a difficult thing and we were just hoping to connect the perfect moment of flash with one of the surfers on the wave. We shot images for a few hours with varied results, but I knew things just might not be coming together as I had hoped. Then with everyone getting a little worn out from shooting and surfing a wave came through and I moved into position to try and get that last shot. The flash hit the wave and surfer perfectly and as soon as I looked at the image I knew I had caught the moment I was looking for.”

Fading Sun by Chris Burkard

Fading Sun

“The sunsets in Nicaragua are some of the most spectacular in the world. Each time I have gone there are colors that pop that I find myself unable to describe. On this trip I had found some tidal pools just as the sun began to fade and knew the reflection of the skies colors would pop at the waters edge. Slowing my shutter down the water flowed in and out creating a smooth milky texture amidst the rough rocky shores.”

Taking Flight by Chris Burkard

Taking Flight

“Shooting close to home I usually can predict how a session will be based on swell, tide, and wind. Yet sometimes no matter how predictable I think nature can be it seems I am always amazed by what takes place before me. This session the sunset just got better and better with each passing moment. The colors were so vibrant and I was just hoping to connect with Nate Tyler in those final moments of light. Lucky for me he took flight at just the right moment and I was able to capture an amazing surfing moment amidst an even more amazing moment in nature.”

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