Talent Not Wasted

When we were kids growing up, Chris Dowe was an über talented lad. I remember getting frustrated at how easily he took to new things. In most peer groups there’s always that one standout who’s near vertical learning curve makes everyone else’s look rather flat by comparison. Chris was that kid. A few years ago, after settling down in Western Australia (...as an as an electrical engineer in a gas turbine power plant...go figure...) he bought himself a decent camera with a waterproof housing, a jetski and decided to take up surf photography on the side, because ya know: Why the hell not?

Recently after a flurry of exited WhatsApp messages I caught up with him for a quick Q and A to discuss what has been going down at a very large, very scary right hander as of late.

SB: Dowie! Thanks for your time buddy! Some pretty crazy stuff has been going down in West Oz lately. Was that one of the biggest swells you’ve seen down in that corner of the world?

Chris: All good bru, sorry it’s taken a while to catch up. It has been a real hectic couple of months for me trying to balance everything going on in life right now. I’ve been super busy but managed to sneak in some amazing moments including the much hyped “swell of the decade”. Without detracting from the size of that particular swell, the thing that really made it special was how long it was that big for. Normally to get one session out at that wave at that size is hectic but this one poured in for nearly 3 days straight. So while being one of the biggest it was definitely the longest.

SB: No desire to take out a board and give it a go?

Chris: I would love to say yes, but realistically if I ever have a crack it won’t be on a swell like that.

SB: Generally how many people are in the water when it’s maxing out and what’s the vibe like when there are multiple tow crew all trying to get the next cover of Surfer?

Chris: Ah man that’s so hard to say, this swell was forecast so far in advance and so hyped up by the media (probably rightfully so) that literally everyone in WA was talking about it. I had people at work who have never shown the slightest interest in surfing ask if I was going because they had heard the waves were going to be good. So when the day arrived, it was no surprise to see it was busier than ever. Like really busy!!!

I can’t really comment what the vibe is like amongst the guys ballsy enough to have a dig but even in the channel amongst the photogs and spectators it’s pretty hectic. No one wants to have a head or ski pop up in their viewfinder on the set of the day so there is a fair bit of jostling for position. Rightly or wrongly, there is definitely a pecking order even among the photogs. Unfortunately for me, I don’t have neutral on the ski or a housing that fits anything but a fisheye, so out there I am literally driving the ski doing one handed donuts holding my camera in the other hand trying to keep it in my dry bag until the last minute. When a set comes in, without crashing into the crowd of skis or getting caught inside I have to quickly pull the camera out, frame a shot and then rattle a few off. Not easy in sea that wild. Once or twice we were caught off guard by a wave that spat so hard it actually soaked me and my camera! Luckily it survived… well until the drive back to the ramp where after stupidly launching off some chop I managed to loose control of the dry bag and it fell into the foot well, successfully snapping the lens off the body of the camera.

SB: While all the big wave surfers are undoubtedly extraordinarily talented surfers, who in your opinion are the stand outs?

Chris: I don’t know many of the dudes out there's names, but in my opinion if you are willing to catch a wave there you are a stand out, period. Obviously the pros are unbelievable but full credit to the other less known guys who are doing it purely for the love and not the fame or money involved.

SB: What’s the worst wipeout you’ve witnessed?

Chris: I would have to say it was at the same wave but a number of years ago on the famous Easter swell. It was pretty much the first wave I ever saw out there and I literally thought poor Myron Porter was a goner. It was the first time I have ever seen a wave that size in the flesh and couldn’t believe what I had just witnessed. That definitely sticks out in my mind.

SB: I’ve often wondered, do the surf photographers get that same sense of nervous excitement when they know the conditions are going to be really big or perfect in coming days?

Chris: Haha for sure man. The whole experience of getting out there on a jetski even if you not going to surf is pretty wild.

SB: The consequences of getting caught inside at a place like The Right or Shipstern’s are fairly catastrophic. Have you had any close calls lately?

Chris: Well given I am shooting “dry” ( ie no camera housing) I have to be fairly careful to keep some distance. Although while avoiding getting other skis/people in a shot I have found myself a little too far on the inside and thought my camera at least was a goner. So far so good though.

SB: Paddle or tow?

Chris: Paddle. One of the young bodyboarders Lewy Finnegan has been paddling The Right for a while now. He paddled one absolutely huge one during that swell. It was one of the highlights for sure. That being said though, most of the big ones so crazy and the skis allow them to be ridden so much better if at all.

SB: So what made to want to take up photography? Was it a calling? Or did you just fancy you’d give it a try?

Chris: Haha far from it. I went to Indo a few years ago and came back with nothing but a bunch of shitty iPhone photos to remember the trip by. My good mate, Matt Blakers, had been shooting for a while so he gave me some of his photos of that trip and I realized that I wanted some way of remembering some of the better moments of my life when I get old. So I bought a semi reasonable camera. I still just do it for fun and hopefully one day I will have some good memories documented.

SB: Have you found that you’ve gained a new appreciation for wave riding since you got behind the lens?

Chris: I wouldn’t really say so. The hardest thing I have to do now is to decide to surf myself or shoot. Surfing normally wins when its not life threatening and crowded or 1ft and perfect haha.

SB: Rumor has it you’re planning a little trip Indo trip soon. Are you going to hang up the camera and concentrate on pigging out on barrels yourself for a little bit?

Chris: Haha well I got back from Indo yesterday. After lugging all my gear there, warm tropical barrels were too hard to resist and I only shot once. Too many hobbies, too little time.

SB: On a more technical side: Let’s talk about your kit. What camera and housing, do you use?

Chris: Canon 7D, SPL Splash Housing, Tokina 10-17mm, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 100-400mm f4-5.6L IS

I only have a small dome port so can only fit the fisheye and the 50mm in the housing as mentioned before. Buying camera gear is about as addictive as getting tubes so I have had to put a hold on getting better gear as its already turned into a rather expensive hobby.

SB: Do you team up with a specific partner when shooting from the ski or is it a case of ‘who’s free this weekend?’.

Chris: Bit of both really, I have a few mates who shoot which I am really stoked about as I have learnt so much from them. This swell myself and Gordon Becker made the mission together. Look up some of his photos they are so much better than mine.

SB: What’s your favorite wave to photograph?

Chris: Recently I reckon to a certain extent the smaller the better. It takes away the FOMO of me not trying to get a few waves myself. There is a beach just down the road from my house that throws up some perfect clear water shorebreak type waves when its on. Its generally uncrowded and super fun to shoot.

SB: I’ve noticed a certain touch of Morgan Maasen inspiration in some of your shorebreak shots. Any guys you look up to particular ?

Chris: Thanks I think. To be honest man I don’t think I have seen any of Morgan’s shots. I will have to look him up. I don’t want to sound naïve or inconsiderate but I just shoot for fun. That being said though I look up to some of my friends photography as well as some of the regular bigwigs the likes of Servais and Glaser.

SB: What would you say is the secret to shooting from the water?

Chris: Please tell me when you find out bru!

SB: Which of your photo’s are you the most proud of and why?

Chris: It would have to be one of a secret slab I was taken to a few years ago. I have never seen any other shots of the particular wave and I believe it is still a secret. It was an unbelievable day out there and although I can never use the shot I can certainly now never forget it.

SB: Thanks so much for your time Dowie! Chat soon buddy.

Chris: Later’s Johnny!