LIVING THE SEA LIFE | MATT JOHNSON [23.11.2009]Industry

Matt Johnson | The Sea Life/Matt Johnson Photography
“He’s not a hodad squid lips I told you that’s Matt Johnson” – Big Wednesday

About
I grew up here in the shire but I don’t claim to be a ‘shire kid’. I don’t have a southern cross tattoo. My wife and I currently live in Cronulla though I can’t see us staying here forever. The world is too small to live in the same place for too long. But Cronullafornia is cool because all those we love are here.

There are so many different waves in Cronulla in such a small area. You’ve got some of the Heaviest waves in the world and options in nearly every swell and weather conditions.

My father and two brothers are in the thick of of the media industry and it was just natural that I picked up something along the creative lines. Photography just made sense. I just started shooting whatever I was into, skateboarding, bands, surfing and those participating, It’s just evolved ever since.

I've been shooting for 5 or 6 years, since high school. Full time as of this year.

Local rippers
There’s a bunch of kids ripping in Nulla at the moment but If you’ve seen any of the sea life emails, Dylan Hayllar is in nearly every one. Almost every wave he’ll do something photogenic, whether it’s a big arcing turn or a voluptuous punt showcasing a myriad of grabs, tweaks or rotations. It’s a no brainer pointing the lens his way.?



Showcase
I run a surf photography email called the sea life. Sign up for free at http://www.thesealife.com.au and you’ll receive and a brief surf report  and photos from that day of the sunrise, the waves and those sliding them.

I’ve had a few shots in Waves & Tracks  as well. But the sea life is my main outlet.

Equipment
People can get too wrapped up in what camera gear they have / wish they had. Some of the most famous & influential photographers in the world used one camera and one lens there entire life. A good thing to remember. Having said this, it’s helpful to know what gear others are using.

I have a Canon 5 & 7D, 1-4 hunge for surfing, an 85 one-eight, a 24-70 two-eight and my favourite lens at the moment a $150 50mm one-eight.




Inspirations
Ken Duncan’s textbook landscapes and Riptide mag got me started. Nowadays it’s D.Hump, Stab & Surfing World mag, National Geographic, James Nachtwey.

The fact that no two waves, sunrises, people are the same gets me out there shooting each day.

Favourite shot
If I have a favourite photo, it’s not my favourite for long. It soon hits me how I could’ve shot it better or different, so I guess my favourite shot will always be the one I’ll take next.

But for the purpose of the exercise I’ve been stoked on this one lately. A few weeks ago we headed just south of Sydney, the swell was decent with a few big board-snapping, offshore-groomed sets rolling in, then these mid set perfect ones would sneak on through. Only a few were ridden but it was still great for shooting.



The future
The digital age has made photography so accessible to the masses, everyone’s a ‘photographer’ these days so it’s crucial to stand out. Photo treatment is going to prove a big difference in the future I think. Not just the taking of the shot but how you edit colours/contrast/blahblahblah. Learn photoshop, lightroom, aperture, iphoto, whatever. Present your photos well.
 
Almost every angle under the sun has been covered so I think it’s just down to the highest quality, well treated snaps.

Perfection
If I could make up the ideal situation to shoot it’d be a bay with a peely noosa-esque right hand point break at one end and a punchy A-frame beach break at the other, ramps a plenty with rocks, beach umbrellas and ice creams vendors in the foreground and a middle eastern fishing town on the point in the background.

On this trip would be Alex Knost, Dane Reynolds, Dylan Hayllar, Nathan Johnson?. Al and my older bro Nate would ride their heavily glassed longboards on the point, sporting swift steps and heels hanging, talking all things art and cool as they paddle back out on their knees, meanwhile Dane & Dyl would be comparing board art whilst Yiewing each others aerial portfolio. Myself, D.Hump and T.Campbell would be covering all the action for our latest collaboration book/film project.




The road ahead
After a year of doing the sea life, getting up every morning with the sparrows I have almost 3,000 punters signed up frothing on Cronulla’s surfing talent.

I have a whole list of plans and ideas of where the sea life can end up, including a full website to accompany the emails (due to be online in a matter of days), zines (Biscuit mag issue 2 out soon), books, a clothing line, but mainly filling my passport up with stamps from wave drenched countries. The future is bright.





Contact: info@thesealife.com.au

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