Breaking the Waves | FUJIFILM Exposure Center – USA

Exposure Center
Photo 2022 © Todd Glaser | FUJIFILM GFX100S and GF23mmF4 R LM WR, 1/320 sec at F5.6, ISO 400

7 minute read

Breaking the Waves

Enshrining GFX100S in a watertight AquaTech casing, Todd Glaser reveals his magisterial impressions of the San Diego shoreline – awash with stunning formations and exquisite patterns

Those immersed in the world of surfing will know there are two distinguishing wave types: the typical wind movement, and the more uncommon ‘swell’. Though somewhat different, both categories operate with a similar principle – they’re ruled by the trajectory and curve of gust, and how these elements ultimately coalesce with the water.

Resulting from the flurry of nearby storms, wind waves are formed over shorter distances. Because of the relatively quick formation, their duration is brief; their velocity feeble. Swell waves, on the other hand, are ferocious surges. They take shape over much longer gaps, rushing and rising from point of origin. The ensuing results collide in a forceful crash of blue and indigo, favored by the board buffs that make up a diverse and fervent culture.

Submerged in the ripples of the North Pacific, Todd Glaser concentrates his photographic exploits in this sphere. It’s a space he’s been frequenting for decades.

“I grew up in San Diego, which is where I still live. For as long as I can remember, I was going to the beach – probably since I was in diapers,” he snickers.

“I played traditional sports like baseball and soccer, but really fell in love with the ocean and surfing. I adored the freedom. Ever since, I’ve spent as much time as I can doing it.”

Sun glistening on the ocean

Photo 2022 © Todd Glaser | FUJIFILM GFX100S and GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR, 1/2500 sec at F8, ISO 400

A fondness for the sea was shared with friends. Travelling up and down the West Coast, Todd and his pals would all bundle into a car, in a quest for the finest waves. At 15, he began shooting on FUJICHROME Velvia, detailing the extent of this roaming.

“The journeys were equally as fun as riding. It was a really enjoyable way to connect with like-minded people.
“I shot on Velvia 50 for a long time. When 100 came out, it was really exciting getting that extra stop of light. Then the Provia 400X, with two stops on top of that. It was beautiful.”

Throughout his formative years, Todd was notoriously sheepish, but cameras provided an ideal means of expression – they captured enduring snapshots of his favorite experiences, conveying what couldn’t be communicated with mere words.

Thinking back, he recalls the seeds of this passion. Planted by his father, they were nurtured by friendships that have stood the test of time.

“When I was younger, my dad used to travel a lot. Wherever he’d go, he’d take a camera and take pictures of the food, the streets… anything notable. He’d put on these slideshows for the whole family, and we’d get to see what other countries were like. That instilled a love of photography, and a fascination with storytelling.

“As for my friends, we’d always be out and about. My first camera had a fisheye lens. In the early morning hours, we’d get straight in the water, and create.”

Black and white wave break

Photo 2022 © Todd Glaser | FUJIFILM GFX100S and GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR, 1/250 sec at F8, ISO 160

Borrowed from a high-school classmate, the first rig Todd utilized featured a waterproof housing. Back then, the technologies were hard to come by, so swapping gear was a regular fixture.

“We’d trade equipment, taking photos of each other surfing on the weekends, or after class,” he smiles. “It was a blast.”

As the years sailed by, Todd’s love of surfing only grew. His enthusiasm would eventually culminate in an appointment to Surfer Magazine, where he editorialized stories for the best part of a decade. Photojournalism solidified his connections, strengthening his proximity to professionals worldwide.

“I was fortunate to go wherever I wanted. I spent time with world champions as they won titles – documenting their lives, cultivating friendships. A lot of the guys I grew up with also went on to be great surfers in their own right.

“Most sports photographers often operate on the sidelines, with a longer lens. When I’m working, I’m always up close and personal – using my knowledge and expertise to create the best images, in the safest way possible. It’s all very athletic. I’ve swam for six hours at a time, occasionally ten. Some of my best moments have been with the pros, a few feet away, documenting their skills.”

With all this experience in tow, Todd’s encounters epitomize a full-bodied reflection of the surfing world – the scale of his involvement a truly international affair. Working in the clear streams of Hawaii, Tahiti, and Fiji, he’s operated in a swathe of enviable locations, but this time around, he decided to go back to where it all began.

Black and white rolling wave

Photo 2022 © Todd Glaser | FUJIFILM GFX100S and GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR, 1/250 sec at F8, ISO 160

“These swells are actually down the street from my house, in San Diego,” he says. “I thought I’d get back in touch with home. I adore the ocean here, because no two waves are the same. I was interested in finding those unique aspects that sparked the intrigue, all those years ago.”

Wrapping GFX100S in AquaTech’s bespoke housing shield, Todd set out at dawn. GF23mmF4 R LM WR and GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR rendered the currents clear and crisp.

“The case is built purposefully for this camera and its attachments. It was so small – I felt like I was using a 35mm SLR. When you’re swimming eight hours at a time, that weight difference makes a massive impact. It’s just phenomenal.

“With lenses, I like the 23mm. A lot of my surf photography has been fashioned with a wide-angle. I was blown away by the FUJINON sharpness, edge-to-edge. Typically, I’ve always been a prime shooter, but I knew I wouldn’t be needing the aperture here. The snappiness and versatility of the 32-64mm enabled me to use those focal lengths with a fast autofocus.”

Boardless, Todd preferred a wetsuit and swim-fin get-up. Propelling forward, he was able to garner the momentum needed for carefully positioned framing.

“I’m approaching this like I would a human subject. Low angles give people a sense of power. The same principle applies here – I want you to appreciate the strength of these rises,” he remarks.

Waves hook and arch over themselves in tunnel-like structures, reinforcing the intensity and grandeur of the sea. From above, light ripples and shimmers in iridescent flickers. Whether cast in black & white or color, this was the key ingredient in Todd’s finished concoction: a twinkling canvas of fluid, caught in the flux of change.

Birds flying over a wave

Photo 2022 © Todd Glaser | FUJIFILM GFX100S and GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR, 1/250 sec at F8, ISO 160

“Almost every photo I took was at sunrise. A lot of that stems from my film days, when you’d only get 36 exposures per roll. That style of photography makes you more conscious of what you’re choosing to capture. The first and last hours of the day have the greatest range of color. That’s where you can create an extensive array of work, in the shortest amount of time.

“I think good lighting matters more than the size of the wave. It’s all about the reflections, and how they bounce off the water. If you’ve got that X Factor, you can slow the shutter down and capture the movement of the ocean, or speed it up and freeze the action.”

Smooth wave breaking

Photo 2022 © Todd Glaser | FUJIFILM GFX100S and GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR, 1/30 sec at F8, ISO 160

An assortment of techniques defines Todd’s methodology, producing a variety of rapid dynamic snaps, and lengthier, more imaginative streams.

“It’s here that I can describe the ocean and all its faces, in a clean and truthful way,” he says. “If I’m in the midst of surf action and trying to nail the peak moment, I’ll normally go over a thousandth of a second. If I’m amongst empty waves and the only person in the water, I’ll experiment with a slower shutter… capturing the saturation.”

The flair of Todd’s material is skillfully realized and eloquently surmised. When asked what differentiates the technicians from the artists, he speaks to an integral lesson that all creatives could stand to learn from.

“I think you can be an artist with your procedure. Use both, with solid light and good gear, and you’ll always get what you need.”

Discover AquaTech’s comprehensive selection of Fujifilm housings today. Click here for more info!

Shot from in a wave

Photo 2022 © Todd Glaser | FUJIFILM GFX100S and GF23mmF4 R LM WR, 1/800 sec at F5.6, ISO 400

More from this series...

CREATE/SEND/SHARE

see your image on our Social Channels

Featured Photographer

Todd Glaser

Todd Glaser is a San Diego-born photographer, surfer, and waterman. A SURFER Staff Photographer for over a decade, Glaser is prolific for his young age, earning more than a dozen covers during his tenure at the magazine. Equally talented shooting land, water, and lifestyle photography, his work has also appeared in The New York Times, Outside, Men’s Health, GQ and in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, in Washington DC.
Select Your Country Or Region