Missing waves and making movies.
I was standing in the lobby at the Music Hall last night after the premiere of the new surf documentary by Dylan Ladds and Ryan Scura THE GRANITE STOKE, when a young woman surf photographer walked up to me and started chatting about a certain surf video project that we had collaborated on. Somehow the conversation got around to the never ending dilemma about
whether or not to surf or shoot photos of surfing when the surf is good. And trust me, the dilemma has been around for decades.
I offered my strong opinion
on that subject.
"Always, always, always shoot first." The reason should be obvious but for those who don't know that conditions can change in a heartbeat I will explain it to you. The surf dictates what we do as both surfers and surf photographers. If the surf is perfect and the conditions are right, you must shoot first . If you don't, you risk missing the best of the best.
Yes it's a sacrifice at the moment, but in the end? The better you will feel when you see what you have in the can. I know I do. And look, being a surf photographer certainly has it's merits. Capturing primo surf in flawless conditions must come with a price. And that price is you miss out on the action. But that's ok. You're a damn surf photographer. And you better be stoked about it. Because if you're sitting there cursing everyone and everything because you want to surf, then you are not doing your job.
You must sacrifice to get the shot.
Hell, ask any surf photographer. They'll tell you. Shoot first. And if you're lucky maybe the surf will still be good when you're done shooting. Maybe. But if it's not. You still got the shot. And that's what being a photographer/videographer is all about. Getting the shot.
Dylan Ladds and Ryan Scura at the after party at the Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH last night. The boys premiered their long waited documentary about local NH Surfers. Hence the name; THE GRANITE STOKE. It was well received by the packed house.
Lots of local surfers in the crowd and lots of unknowns (uh oh).
The boys did a great job and I'm really proud of them. I have been calling them "My Little Grasshoppers" since I first met them in 2011. You know, in a endearing tone. Ok, so I was a little hard on them at first, but that's only because it's a "dog eat dog world" out there at the Wall. I just needed to toughen them up a bit before exposing them to the local crew. I think we have developed a good relationship over the last few years. They are good souls. The movie was 3 years in the making. But it was worth every day. I was impressed.
"A Local Surf Movie Heals All Wounds"
CLICK ON THE GRAPHIC ABOVE TO SEE EVERY
SINGLE WEEK FROM THE LAST 10 YEARS!
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My latest movie is due for a late May or June showing. I think I'll end up showing it at the Legion (next to Flatbread) for an old school premiere. Portions of the proceeds will go to the WOUNDED WARRIORS PROJECT.
Now for Some Of My Weekly Global Observances
*REPEAT FROM LAST WEEK. The missing Malaysian plane is still missing. Anyone with any information on the missing plane should contact the Missing Plane Department on CNN. They will gladly book you for an hour's interview putting you on a panel of Missing Plane Experts.
OK if you missed the Bruins game on Saturday you missed one hell of a comeback. Scoring 4 goals in the 3rd period to even the series. Game three is in Montreal on Tuesday. Tune in. Because there is NO faster and intense game on TV than NHL Play-Off Hockey. Watch it! GO BRUINS!
Rest in peace Efrem Zimbalist Jr. Passed away at 95. T
Jessica Rabbit with the late Bob Hoskins. RIP Bob.
And now for my weekly humiliation of Khalid Sheik Muhummed (KSM) the mastermind behind 9-11. This week KSM is seen in a rare outtake of him trying out for the main lead male role in WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT? His negative attitude did not sit well with the producers and they passed on him.
So once again, let's all take a minute, and enjoy the weekly humiliation of the mastermind terrorist who killed 3,000 innocent civilians on September 11th, 2001.
*
Note to self: Must pick up a case of Rabbit food at Home Depot this week.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Stone Henge May 5th, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Patrick Millerick May 6th, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Amy Dube May 6th, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jay Gould May 7th, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Stan Bocko May 8th, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Leah Grondin May 8th, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kyle Stucker May 8th, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Gabby Fatello May 9th, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tony Szabo May 9th, 2014!
REST IN PEACE Jake Pongrace.
GET WELL SOON Little FINN LOCKWOOD!
CONGRATS BRUINS on beating MONTREAL 5-3!!
And please continue to send positive thoughts and prayers to our dear friend Debra White and family.
As well as JT, and Ed O'Connell. Please add them all to your prayer list.
Please
Support ALL The photographers who contribute to Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 9 years. **Think about BUYING a HIGH RES Photo
from any of the weeks on RPOTW.
Remember
my friends... Surfing Heals All Wounds.
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.
Ralph
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Yesterday- Yesterday's Groms -Today's Rippers 1990's!
(Below) All you young parents with toddlers take notice. In the blink of an eye, your toddler with grow up to be an adult before your very eyes. All the babies you see here are all in their 20's now. This photo was taken before they started surfing. Now a good handful of these toddlers are absolutely killing it out in the water on any given day. Photo by Kim Grondin |
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All PHOTOS BELOW SHOT THIS WEEK
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Today- May Day Waves. May 2nd, 2014.
Photos by RALPH
(Above) It was cold all week long then by Friday the temps started to rise.
The swell cleaned up and the rest as they say is history. Max Fatello finding
refuge at Blabbermouths.
May 2nd, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above) This bird caught my fancy. I named her "Kelpie". She tried to land on me. Too cute for words. May 2nd, 2014. Photo by RALPH 
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above)*For the record, we have bought all of our JEEPS
from Lansdale JEEP the last 23 years, and have not had
a single regret. They are
the BEST!!
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(Above) Max had it to himself for over an hour and then Kenny Linseman paddled out and he had it to himself for the remaining tide. Blabbermouths.
May 2nd, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above) Mackey V taking another lonely drop at Blabbermouths.
May 2nd, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) At least they are flying in the right direction.
May 2nd, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
Today- More May Day Waves. May 1st, 2014.
Photos by RALPH
(Above) Looking head high to me. Unknown at Chowdah Heads.
May 1st, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) Kai Nichols Chowdah Heads.
May 1st, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) Kevin Grondin fully extended. *Yes he made it.
May 1st, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above) Jesse Gould with no hood jamming a million cutbacks.
May 1st, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above) Mike Stanek doing the Chowdah Head jump.
May 1st, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above) Unknown head dippin at Chowdah Heads.
May 1st, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
Today- The Last Day of April. April 30th, 2014. Photos by RALPH
(Above) It's called Sea Salad April 30th, 2014. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above) Erica Nardone surfed all week. April 30th, 2014. Photo by RALPH
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Today- The Next to the Last Day of April. April 29th, 2014. Photos by RALPH
(Above) Jared Veltsos. April 29th, 2014. Photo by RALPH
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(Above) How many kooks does it take to strap a BIC on a vehicle with the fins facing backwards?The answer is three. April 29th, 2014. Photo by RALPH
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Today- A little more from the end of April. April 27th, 2014.
Photos by RALPH
(Above) Rainbows are always welcome. April 27th, 2014. Photo by RALPH
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(Above) Amazing blue sunset. April 27th, 2014. Photo by RALPH
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Today- SEQUENCES From This Week. April 27-May 2-2014.
Photos by RALPH
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(Above) MVF insane redirection. Did he make it? Click and find out. April 29th, 2014. Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery. |
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(Above) Mike Stanek in and under the Chowdah head lip. May 1st, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) Toby Parke following suit with his own version of the Chowdah head
hole dance. May 1st, 2014. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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Today- The EMPTY Waves From This Week.
April 27-May 2-2014. Photos by RALPH
(Above) Not another surfer for a mile or two. May 1st, 2014. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
(Above) OK I KNOW you can't surf on this. I just love the texture of these mini shorebreak waves. May 1st, 2014. Photo by RALPH
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Today- The GRANITE STOKE Premiere May 3rd, 2014.
Photos by RALPH
(Above) The Music Hall filling up before the showing. May 3rd, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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(Above) The film makers. Ryan Scura and Dylan Ladds during the Q&A after the showing. Some wise ass actually asked Ryan "Where is Ralph's favorite wave?"
And much to my surprise he answered "Ralph's Rights."
Music Hall Portsmouth, NH. May 3rd, 2014. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the Whole gallery.
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