Through the Lens: The Rise of Surf Photographer Chris Burkard
At the tender age of 24, Chris Burkard has soared through the ranks to become one of the most published & sought-after artists in the world of surf photography. His work is pure art, reflecting a level of dedication that speaks for itself - ultimately helping him win the prestigious Red Bull Illume Image Quest competition for 2010.
In his own words: "Photography was something that never came easy to me; it was something I had to work on. I've always been artistically inclined, and photography is such an expressive medium. I always used to go surfing a lot with my friends and one day I picked up a camera and it was everything I wanted to do. I worked hard and I managed to make it into a career. It took me a long time to come up with something like this!
"My photography is not flash, it’s not experimental, it’s just natural light in a natural setting and I thought people would be looking for something more technologically advanced and more new age. My photo was almost a step back to just the basics of photography.
"To be a finalist was a huge honour and to be able to win was a huge honour - there are few moments in a photographer’s life where he is truly appreciated for the work he does and to be looked at as someone who creates beautiful images. We’re usually the workhorses that are behind the scenes and this is something I could only dream of. I’m really grateful."
To view more of Chris's work, check out his Club of the Waves Feature here or visit his official website: BurkardPhoto.com
