Being a surf photographer is awesome, as it allows you to visit places you would rarely go otherwise. The shot you see on this page is from one such place.
I was on a trip with a very good crew in Sumatra and we had gone to land to shoot some interviews and check things out. Me being ever inquisitive, I ventured out from the pack and went for a walk. I didn’t know what I would stumble across, because the island we were on almost seemed uninhabited. I never thought for one second I would receive the fright that I got this day.
I was walking back along the beach after photographing an old fallen tree when I heard these light footsteps behind me. I automatically thought it was one of guys trying to sneak up on me, so I turned around and quickly found out I was very wrong. I hit the skids hard and my guts dropped when I saw this hooded man behind me. He burst into laughter, knowing that he just scared five years off my life with his get up.
I also began to laugh and said something that involved many swear words as I told him how much he just “got me”.
I tried talking to him, but obviously we didn’t speak each other’s language, but after a couple of hand gestures and me showing him my camera he got what I was on about. I shot his portrait and then showed him. His foreign laugh bellowed again along with some words, which I have no idea were, but he took off his mask and smiled so I assumed he liked it and found it amusing. He then made some hand gestures to let me know his mask was to protect him from sunburn.
I guess these people don’t see themselves very often, it was cool to see him light up checking the digital screen.
Never knowing what you will stumble across is a big part of the enjoyment of being a photographer in a foreign land.
Soon enough he walked off, and I went back to the boat with a one of the best shots I took that day.
Nate
