Name: Chris BurkardHome Town: Pismo Beach, California
Home Base: Central California
Sponsors/employer: Aquatech Waterhousings, Surfline.com, Surfer Magazine
Sports Photographed: Surfing
Favorite subject: Location and subjects never mattered much to me all I care about is a surfer that draws an interesting line, takes a different approach and surfs the wave how it is meant to be surfed. As far as location goes, pretty much anywhere with backlit evening light and clean offshore conditions.
Recent Projects: This last spring I published my first book; The California Surf Project, with our Publisher Chronicle Books. Just finished up the tour and promotion with that. It has been an amazing project. For more info on the book, please visit www.thebookprojectca.com
Do you remember when you realized photography was more than a point and shoot camera?
Probably the moment I won my first camera at a GoodWill auction.. I shot multiple rolls of film through the jenky SLR. It never produced a single photograph. Hahah. It was a learning experience that was for sure.
What was your first camera? And what is your current.
My first camera was a Pentax MEF, it was a beater. The camera I use today is a Nikon D700 and D300s. I recently made the switch from Canon. It was the best thing I ever did.
What has photography done to your life?
I dont think that neccesarily photography has done so much to my life, but more the experiences that have come from it. Travelling has played a huge roll in my job, the ability to experience uniques customs has become such and eye opening experience. It has truly left and impression on me as a person. And hopefully made me a better more appreciative one at that. I am gratefull more than anything for the stories that come from the images. Each photo is just an experience, and to be able to share those is truly a gift.
As a career photography has let you see much of the world. Where are the places you wish to return or are most memorable?
Iceland is the most beautifull place I have ever been and if I could ever go back somewhere that is where it would be. Its funny because I like cold locations. Which may seem a little weird for someone who spends so much time at the beach. Iceland has these incredible waterfall and glaciers that butt right up to the ocean. It's as if the whole continent hits the water, and so much of it is easily accessible. I am really hoping to go back with my wife someday.
Being an action sport photographer, one would generally assume you also play the games you shoot. What are favorite sports to do with out a camera bag on your back?
I love to surf, but for the last few years I have been actually enjoying bodysurfing more than anything. Plus its great exercise and helps me work on my swimming. Other than surfing I have actually recently fell in love with climbing. Such and epic sport and incredible workout. Its so different because unlike surfing you can always come back to the same problem and work it again and again until you get it right. The sport teaches your alot about our body and about balance as well.
Who or what do you look too find inspiration in?I look everywhere for inspiration. In fact everywhere but Surfing. I like to look at other peoples approaches, landscape, nature, and people photographers and how they look at their subjects. I really look to the old masters for inspiration as well. This for me has worked really well because I find that unless outside my own industry it is really hard to find a new look or angle. In my career I have focused landscape oriented for alot of my images. Trying to give a sense of place or location, rather than just the tight action. This to me is translated well in the work of Michael Fatali, a large format landscape photographer that I looked up to early in my career.
Life behind a lens means being witness to the best of times and the worst. Please let us know an experience from each.
Best: I remember back in 2008 when I went to Iceland we were driving through this fog that was so thick you couldnt see anything. Literally not even your front bumper, it was pretty scary, but as we came over this mountain we burst through the fog and came to the clear plateau. We could see all the tops of these distant peaks. I guess it was just one of those beautiful things you see that sticks with you. The place made such and impression on me because of how simple everything was. I was driving with a good friend of mine Josh Mulcoy and we both just kinda gasped. We spent alot of time outdoors on this trip because we were camping, I think that made us appreciate things that much more.
Worst: In September 2009 I was detained in a Russian holding cell with armored guard for 24-hours before being deported to Korea. I had a passport issue which made for one of the scariest experiences of my life. It was a really scary thing not having any freedoms and having all my rights stripped away from me, simply because of the date on my passport. Luckily I was able to come back in the country. Only after buying another ticket. It was a pretty crappy experience. The scary part was that if I didn't have my phone on me I wouldn't have been able to get ahold of the US embassy which made sure they fed me. From what I was told the guard just locked the door and left me there.
What would you say to a young shooter with who dreams of traveling the world taking photos of the elite athletes in our sports?
I would say that the most important thing you have is your reputation. So make it a good one from day 1. Also, dont be scared to experiment, mess up or blow it. These things help us grow. The best education I have ever received was from my art class. It taught me about composition. All the techinical stuff like F-Stop's can come later, in fact, that is the easy stuff. Its composition that will set you apart from the rest.
Tell us one over looked lesson you have learned in the photo business:
Never burn bridges, the industry (action sports) is too small. Other than that I would recommend camera insurance. I have drowned and broken multiple cameras and lenses in boats, houses, beachs, just about everywhere. Oh yeah, always bring along some silica packets. those things will save you if you get something wet. Place them with your camera or lense in the sun, in a Ziplock. Its like magic.
Chris's recommended reading:
Quotes you have liked over he years:
"MY PASSION has never been for photography, in itself, but the the possibility- through forgetting yourself- of recording in a fraction of a second the emotion of the subject, and the beauty of the form; that is, a qeometry awakened by whats offered. The photographic shot is one of my sketchpads. " - Henri Cartier- Bresson
Anything else you wish to add- please do:
We as photographers are a lucky bunch, and I think that sometimes we have more of an affect on people that we may realize, and because of that we need to raise ourselves to a higher standard. Take the time to listen and learn from your experiences.. then pass them on.
