The breathtaking photography of seascapes and surfers in action alongside stories of individuals' connection to the water and lifestyle are a celebration of Australia's surfing culture.

Life Around the Sea is an odyssey through which we can explore the existence of those whose hearts beat in unison with the rhythmic swells of the ocean. This book features stories of individuals who have discovered their true selves among the salt, sand, and surf. We encounter people from all walks of life, such as the surfer who first felt the tender caress of a wave in their childhood, the fearless and infamous big-wave riders, the artists drawn to the coastline to bring its ancient beauty to life, and the shapers who expertly craft boards for wave seekers around the globe. The power of these narratives is truly magnified by the striking images alongside them, assembled by accomplished photographer Russell Ord. His lens captures the essence of each unique individual, revealing the depth of their profound connection to the sea. His images provide another dimension to their stories, allowing us to gaze into the eyes of the ocean's kin, feel the salt on their skin, and experience the majesty of the sea through their perspectives. AUTHORS: Russell Ord is an Australian photographer best known for his striking surf and ocean photography. Ord grew up playing rugby league, surfing, and working as a firefighter. He began pursuing photography seriously in the early 2000s and quickly made a name for himself with his intense, dramatic images of big-wave surfing and ocean landscapes. Russell's work is regularly featured in numerous publications, including The Surfer's Journal, Tracks, and Australian Surfing Life, and he has won multiple awards for his photography. He is particularly well known for his willingness to take risks in pursuit of the perfect shot, often putting himself in dangerous situations to capture the power and beauty of the ocean. Russell's unique talents culminated in his documentation of a violent twist of the Indian Ocean. The hard-won and career-defining image, known simply as “The Right,” was the focal point for his celebrated documentary One Shot. Alex Workman is a surf journalist from Australia. His love of surfing has taken him around the world covering stories on the world's best surfers and culture shifters, working for Tracks Magazine and the World Surf League. A published writer and documentary producer, his career has given him access to hang with world champions, shapers, artists and a band of surfing misfits who, like he, have hitched their lives to the rhythm of the waves. He resides in Byron Bay with his young family where he regularly pushes them into waves of their own. SELLING POINTS: . An essential book for anyone who lives and breathes surfing or delights in the splendour that nature - in particular, the ocean - has to offer . Displaying full-colour and black-and-white photography of breathtaking scenes from surf beaches across Australia Photographs are grouped together by region, providing a visual journey that begins and ends in Western Australia, the home of photographer Russell Ord . Profiles in narrative form are scattered throughout the book, providing glimpses into people's lives - from professionals in the industry such as known legend Tom Carroll, to everyday people who feel the call to the sea and surf for the pure love of the sport . The book features people who live close to the water, as well as those who travel to seek the waves their hearts desire . A key theme in Life Around the Sea is the connection shared between surfers and the ocean, and the bond surfers therefore have with each other. A sense of peace, harmony, and community is felt among surfers far and wide . This book is a beautiful tribute to the surfing culture in Australia and the awe-inspiring waves its beaches can conjure 270 colour, 32 b/w illustrations

Details

ISBN13: 9781864709520
Format: Hardback
Number of Pages: 312
Edition:
Publication Date:
Publisher: Images Publishing Group Pty Ltd
Publication City, Country: Mulgrave, Victoria, Australia
Dimensions (cm): 33(H)x28(L)2858
Weight (gm): 2858

Author Biography

Russell Ord is an Australian photographer best known for his striking surf and ocean photography. Ord grew up playing rugby league, surfing, and working as a firefighter. He began pursuing photography seriously in the early 2000s and quickly made a name for himself with his intense, dramatic images of big-wave surfing and ocean landscapes. Russell's work is regularly featured in numerous publications, including The Surfer's Journal, Tracks, and Australian Surfing Life, and he has won multiple awards for his photography. He is particularly well known for his willingness to take risks in pursuit of the perfect shot, often putting himself in dangerous situations to capture the power and beauty of the ocean. Russell's unique talents culminated in his documentation of a violent twist of the Indian Ocean. The hard-won and career-defining image, known simply as "The Right," was the focal point for his celebrated documentary One Shot. Alex Workman is a surf journalist from Australia. His love of surfing has taken him around the world covering stories on the world's best surfers and culture shifters, working for Tracks Magazine and the World Surf League. A published writer and documentary producer, his career has given him access to hang with world champions, shapers, artists and a band of surfing misfits who, like he, have hitched their lives to the rhythm of the waves. He resides in Byron Bay with his young family where he regularly pushes them into waves of their own.

Reviews

"""Along Australia's windswept coastline, photographer Russell Ord has captured the essence of the country's unique surf culture. In the masterpiece Life Around the Sea, his powerful photographs are combined with Alex Workman's poignant stories of the people who have shaped their lives around the sea. We at HOOM have delved into a book full of absolutely magical images."" ""Russell Ord’s photographic odyssey through Australia’s coastal landscape explores this unique culture by portraying the people whose lives pulsate in time with the rhythmic swells of the ocean.""" - HOOM
"""Life Around the Sea is more than a book—it’s a tribute, a meditation, and a love letter to the ocean and the people who live in harmony with its eternal rhythm."" ""Written by surf journalist Alex Workman and brought vividly to life through the lens of celebrated photographer Russell Ord, Life Around the Sea profiles an extraordinary cast of characters, big wave riders, board shapers, coastal artists, and everyday ocean lovers—whose lives have been forever shaped by the sea."" ""...the result is an immersive exploration of surf culture that feels intimate, raw, and poetic. From Western Australia’s solitary shaping bays to the vibrant communities of Byron Bay, each page transports the reader through the coastline’s emotional and geographical terrain."" ""What sets this book apart is its structure—stories and images grouped by region—making the reading experience feel like a visual pilgrimage across the vast and varied Australian seaboard.""" - Ninu Ninu
"""Ord’s full-color and black-and-white photography celebrates the unique lives of surfers who share a strong bond with the ocean, and with each other."" ""The book includes profiles and stories ranging from professional surfers Tom Carroll and Claire Bevilacqua and Olympic swimmer Shane Gould, to board shapers, photographers, and artists to everyday people of all ages—surf-loving families, mums, grommets, fishermen, and more.""" - Australian Photography
"Life Around the Sea is an odyssey around Australia and an exploration of remarkable individuals who have been transformed by the sea. This book will transport you to coastal villages, hinterland hideaways, remote beaches and solitary bays that form the backdrop to these unique lives. Their personal stories, told by surf writer Alex Workman and captured by Russell Ord’s evocative and breathtaking photography, are a testament to the boundless beauty, mystery and inspiration of the ocean." - The Guardian
"A tapestry of characters and images shaped by the sea – and defining Australian surf culture – is presented in a new book by Alex Workman and Russell Ord." - Carve Magazine
"...beautiful new book..." - Australian Newspaper