Christian McLeod
We were really lucky to have the chance to catch up with Christian McLeod. Christian is another kindred spirit who has forged a living out of a passion. We had the chance to find out a bit more about him and some of his most exciting projects.
Chris:
I like how "cold water" is thrown in there. Photography hasn't always been in my life, but the day my mum setup her little Nikon film camera, holding the camera in all of my 8 year old hands, and told me to go take a picture in the back garden, I don't think it ever left my mind. Although, saying that, I never picked up a camera for definite until I was 18.
The Wave: Tell us about your sketchiest shoot, what went wrong and what did you learn?
Chris:
Aileens at the cliffs of Moher. Certainly, that's my sketchiest shoot so far. I wouldn't necessarily say something went wrong, but in order for things to go right, I had to get a pounding. After hiking down the goat trail with the boys, and swimming out to the lineup at the bottom of a 700ft cliff, I shot a 50mm in the channel, moderately close to the wave. But as waves went by and I got more confident I swam closer and closer. Until, I got so distracted by the waves, that I didnt realise how far away everyone else was in the channel. I looked around and thought. huh. Where is everyone? Then a sharp whistle rang through the lineup, and I knew a set was coming, and suddenly my brain clicked and I started pelting it to the channel... well.... I didnt make it to the channel, and lets say a lip from a 25footer is a pretty scary thing to see coming towards you. Got a beating, lost a fin, and got back to the channel, and carried a grin on my face all day, that I was alive and seeing some of the best waves of my life.
The Wave: Who has inspired you as a photographer and as a surfer?
Chris:
My mum... Too many photographers like Gary Parker, Morgan Maassen, Tim Nunn... and my friends.... I don't think I would shoot what I shoot, or let alone, how I shoot it, if it weren't for any of my friends or my Mum. Especially considering the fact that I was born in Montana (landlocked state), and I came to Ireland when I was 8, and otherwise probably would have never lived near the sea....ever.... I'd probably be shooting bugs or flowers right now, if I hadn't come here, that's if I'd be shooting at all...
The Wave: What's next for Christian McLeod, what projects do you have lined up for the next year or so?
Chris:
Oh man, projects, that word is becoming a daily sound around my brain... I mix it up between surf and weddings at the moment, and not to mention college work, studying engineering(any further away than photography?), so I'm kept busy.
This next year is looking crazy, not like wow crazy, but hectic crazy. I recently joined O'Neill as an Ambassador, after they spotted my work, and I'm really looking forward to working with them, and continuing what I love to do, and that is surf photography. :)
I have a few project ideas I'm working on at the moment, and one is what I call, Double. It's a series of images, depicting sea and surf culture in an abstract view. It's hopefully something people will like to see, and I will release them all when I feel it's a fully completed project. :)
The Wave: What kit do you use for photography?
Chris:
Kit. Kit. Kit.... Canon, film and digital, 7D my surf beast, 5D mkiii (new baby... :) ), 50mm (nifty fifty), 17-40mm for pulled back landscapes or lineup shots, 70-200mm for channel shooting or land shots, and my 8mm Rokinon, love this lens on the 7D, perfect for barrel shots, and super crisp. At the moment I am developing a waterhousing specific to certain needs, and hope to have it optimized for travel. Time will tell you more on that one.
The Wave: What would be your dream job/location?
Chris:
Dream job?Location? wow... I have travelled, but not enough to choose a final destination, so I'd have to answer this as job based... I'd have to say being a Staff photographer for Surfer Magazine, and working closely with some of the large brands across the world. Not entirely surf, but complete adventure. I love being in the wild and really experiencing the world for what it truly is at it's roots. I would love to keep in touch with that part of me, and continue to photograph.
The Wave: What was your best shoot ever?
Chris:
My best shoot ever....
I don't know if I have one. I generally think my next one will always be the best one.
However, my first trip to Norway was special, and scoring it perfect was a dream.
If not that trip, then there was one trip I made with a couple friends, Dylan Stott and Kurt Rist, and we scored this unbelievably perfect right, and had an article run in The Surfer's Journal. I think that was the first big article I've had run. Still look at that issue every now and then...
The Wave: What is your favourite photo you have taken and why is it special to you?
Chris:
Without a doubt, has to be this Black and White I took of an old man, standing in the rain, on the side of the road with an old bag. I was with Dylan again, and we were searching for waves and after a brief surf we pulled out of this rugged laneway, and had to stop before pulling out onto the main road, and I spotted this man... I said, "hey, dylan, dont move"... then I rolled down my window, and was about to lift my camera when the old man, lifted his head, struck eye contact, and just nodded at me. He continued on to hold his head down underneath the dripping umbrella, and I just rose the camera and took the snap. I had never had such a strange feeling before taking a shot before. So much can be said with something so simple.
Thanks Chris and good luck for the future, your work is inspiring and we will be rooting for you all the way!
