Wave #1, 2011 by Ryan Rickett
Contender Ryan Rickett's submission, Dume Gloom (named after the cliffs at Point Dume), bears a striking cinematic characteristic. And that's no coincidence. Originally a director, Rickett captures in the series an ethereal, otherworldly and even painterly quality to this renowned and frequently scouted location. Using long exposure, Rickett transforms the crashing of the waves against the cliffs into a mystical landscape enveloped by a dense, sea foam fog.
Wave #2, 2011 by Ryan Rickett
Ryan explains in his artist statement:
Time is the measure of change. When I was a teenager, I purchased a shutter release cable for my first SLR camera and spent countless hours shooting at night, holding my shutter open for minutes on end, fascinated with the concept of compressing all those minutes into a single shot. From that early experience I developed an obsession with long exposure photography, which eventually led to the discovery of techniques that allowed me to make long exposure shots in the daytime, opening up an endless ocean of opportunity. I have recently moved to Malibu, California, and fell in love with the constantly evolving beach around the cliffs of Point Dume, where I live. Every day is a whole new landscape; you never know what new secrets will be revealed by the ever undulating tide. Using long exposure photography, I have tried to bring a sense of mystery and awe to the landscape. Waves transform rocks into mountain peaks hugged by fog, stirring memories of past lives on strange lands. The beach becomes the ghost of an ocean, cloaked in a gradient of sea foam, saltwater and mist. It is my hope that these images inspire the same evocative emotions in the viewer that I experience every time I walk through this fascinating landscape.
Wave #3, 2011 by Ryan Rickett
Wave #4, 2011 by Ryan Rickett
Ryan Rickett studied film at the Art Center College of Design. Having directed music videos and commercials professionally for over half a decade, he has recently begun a career as a photographer. He lives in Los Angeles, CA, with his wife and creative partner. You can view their work here.
Wave #5, 2011 by Ryan Rickett