I have been on the sidelines of “the board” for the last couple years, contributing very little, and I went to the awards feeling a little self conscious about that. But when I got there, I realized that my lack of direct contact with the details has afforded me some perspective you might not have, having to wrestle with the problems and grit and hear all forms of feedback. So I want to tell you what I saw, zoomed out, as it were.

These little awards, as humble and small and quirky as they may seem, are so important to the lives of the people who they come in contact with. And it doesn’t begin or end with the people who actually get a check at the end of the night. You have created a life path for a very unique and under-represented group of passionate and artistic people. As so many of the photographers said last night, photography was the one thing they did well, and they just found it.

Finding photography, in itself, is a great thing. But how do you make a life out of it? How will anyone ever see your work? How can you possibly hope to earn a living when every device except the microwave now has a 15 megapixel camera built-in? And then, how do you answer the endless doubting questions from parents and relatives and significant others: Is “surf photography” even a profession?

Well, these awards provide a glimmer of light, the faint outlines of a way forward, and a way to make a life pursuing this odd niche of a niche that you are truly passionate about.

Before these awards, the fate of a budding surf photographer rested almost exclusively in the hands of the few photo editors at the various media outlets in our world. It’s a responsibility that Larry understood, and took very seriously. Today, independent of whether a photo editor or more senior photographer in our space is able to carve out a sliver of time to spend nurturing a newfound passion for shooting photos of surfing and surf culture, FTLF can also provide that guidance.

The simple act of requiring a young photographer who aspires to win the FTLF grant to put their work up for criticism, along with well crafted thoughts about the direction they want their love of photography to take them, can be enough to transform the rest of their life. For some of them, that might mean not pursuing surf photography. For others, like Todd and Chris, it is a springboard to the top of the pack. Both influences just as valid.

As icing on the cake, FTLF brings out into the light of day, and inspires camaraderie among, the fraternity of strange people who dedicate significant portions of their lives and earnings to pursuing the passion not of riding waves, but of observing them and capturing what they see with a camera. I was so excited to see how supportive all these young photographers are of each other.

I walked out of the room feeling a little funny about getting an award at all, and, of course, getting emotional when I received it. But as I drove home, I reflected on what Larry meant to my life, and how his influence, both in life and in death, has woven its way through my path, and I realized why I got choked up. (I think the trigger was the photo you guys ran of Larry’s paddle out -which Alexis and I woke up for and attended the day after our wedding.)

Larry was a stubborn and directed man, and it would be incorrect to say that everyone that came in contact loved him. But, as is often the case with great men, you only begin to unravel the depth of their influence and their generosity after they’re gone. Even today, as time has taken us far away from the moment of Larry’s passing, he continues to be an inspiration and guiding hand for his family, for young photographers, and for all of us. And what a good job he is doing.

Thank you guys.

Sincerely,
Ross and Alexis

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — July 2, 2010 — Follow The Light Foundation (FTLF), a non-profit that continues to fuel the dreams of the world’s most talented young surf photographers, announced its 2010 finalists today after an evening of review and deliberation. This year’s installment of young visionaries include: Ryan Tadao Foley from Hawaii, Matt Lusk from North Carolina, Morgan Maassen from Santa Barbara, Billy Watts from San Diego and Corey Wilson from Santa Barbara. The winner of the $5,000 grant will be announced during the US Open of Surfing at the Shorebreak Hotel in Huntington Beach on August 3. “We’re very excited about the talent level of this year’s finalists,” said legendary photographer and judge Aaron Chang. “And to celebrate their skills around this year’s US Open will make it even more special.”

The FTLF was founded after iconic photographer Larry “Flame” Moore’s passing to ensure that up-and-coming surf photographers continue to get the recognition and support they deserve. Flame — legendary Photo Editor of SURFING Magazine for more than three decades — made it a priority to teach and inspire anyone with a passion for photography. This grant helps keep that legacy alive. Details can be found on the FTLF website. (folllowthelightfoundation.org)

Now in its fifth year, the FTLF awards ceremony is part of the world’s largest action sports festival. The US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach will reach all kinds of people, but there is no better place to showcase the best rising talent in the surf photography world. In years past, FTLF grant winners like Todd Glaser, Chris Burkard and Ray Collins have continued to change the game in what is possible in surf imagery. “The Follow the Light Foundation was a huge boost to my career,” says SURFER staff photographer Todd Glaser. “It not only was a dream come true, but it helped give me the confidence to keep following my vision. I couldn’t be more honored to be part of it all.”

Come August 3, a new artist will get his due recognition. The reception begins at 7:00PM, The Shorebreak Hotel, 500 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648, www.shorebreakhotel.com. A limited amount of VIP tickets can be pre-purchased for $20 each at www.followthelightfoundation.org. The first 200 general admission registrants are free of charge. Please register on a first-come basis for this event on Facebook at our Follow the Light Foundation “Flame Grant” page.

Follow the Light Foundation on Facebook

The Follow The Light Foundation is proudly supported by Hurley, Swell.com, Surfing, Surfline and Oakley.

ABOUT FOLLOW THE LIGHT FOUNDATION:
On October 10, 2005, the surfing community lost one of its most influential figures, Larry “Flame” Moore. After a three-year battle with brain cancer, “Flame,” the Photo Editor of SURFING Magazine for 30 years, passed. He left behind a legacy of brilliant photography and an army of photographers trained by him. Through his work at SURFING, Larry literally shaped the “look” of three decades of surfing. Today, honoring Larry’s request, we have established Follow the Light Foundation (FTFL), an organization that will help finance the dreams of surf photographers, pushing the sport and its lensmen forward. For more information on FTFL, go to www.followthelightfoundation.org.

The FTLF was founded after Moore’s passing to ensure that up-and-coming surf photographers continue to get the recognition and support they deserve. Flame – legendary Photo Editor of SURFING Magazine for more than three decades – made it a priority to teach and inspire anyone with a passion for photography. This grant helps keep that legacy alive. The application and details can be found on the FTLF website. (followthelightfoundation.org)

Now in its fifth year, the FTLF has decided on a slight twist and change of scenery for its annual dinner/awards presentation. During this year’s submission process, photographers are being asked to edit their images and cue it to music of their choice. The “visual presentations” of the Top 5 finalists will then be shown at an awards night sometime during the US Open of Surfing in early August.

“Relocating the FTLF event to Huntington Beach (Surf City USA) during the US Open of Surfing will allow both the world’s best surfers and the global surfing media to participate,” says Bob Hurley, a FTLF sponsor and founder of Hurley Clothing. “This is an incredibly exciting move. Larry Moore had a vision that including inspiring and elevating young talent. This is a perfect platform to showcase the artist’s work.”

Judging from the career paths of past winners, the FTLF continues to help photographers reach the next level. Chris Burkard and Todd Glaser are two of the most prolific and talented photographers in the sport today, and they both give credit to Flame and FTLF for helping their dream job come true. “It was such an honor to be picked for this grant,” said 2008 winner Todd Glaser. “To be recognized and critiqued by legends like Aaron Chang – and get funding on top of it – will always stand as a career highlight.”

More details on awards date and venue soon. In the meantime, photographers should be working diligently to make the May 17 deadline. As FTLF Board Member Aaron Chang says, “This is shaping up to be the most exciting event of its kind. I can’t wait to see what these young visionaries bring to the ‘light table’ this year.”

The FTLF is proud to be working with Surfing Magazine, SWELL, Hurley and Oakley to provide this year’s grant. For more information, go to followthelightfoundation.org.

About Follow the Light: On October 10th, 2005, the surfing community lost one of its most influential figures. After a nearly three-year battle with brain cancer Larry “Flame” Moore, the Photo Editor of SURFING Magazine for 30 years, passed.

He left behind a legacy of brilliant photography and an army of photographers trained by him. Through his work at SURFING Magazine, Larry literally gave three decades of surfing their “look.” Today, honoring Larry’s request, we have established Follow the Light Foundation (FTLF), an organization that will help finance the dreams of surf photographers, pushing the sport and its lensmen forward.

This year we are introducing a new and exciting format.  Download the application for complete details.

What you are watching is a little slideshow from my year of shooting since winning the grant.  I hope you enjoy it.
Thank you again to Candy, Celeste, and everyone else involved with the Follow the Light Foundation for helping support my passion and love of photography.

Happy Shooting!

Highlights:

• Staff Photographer at Surfer Magazine
• Surfer Poll Photo of the Year Winner – Greg Long
• Two covers in the same year – Greg Long and Ryan Burch

• Signed up and now represented by A-Frame Photo and has been featured in campaigns from Vans, DaKine, Sector9 and most recently a FUEL TV installation in the Denver International Airport.

The project I’ve taken on is a monumental task, and I love every moment of it, especially the hard times. Half frozen on a desolate beach covered in snow during the middle of a blizzard capturing mediocre chest high surf laughing to myself just thinking ahead to the six hour drive I’ll make up North later that day to capture the same thing in a different state. Paddling alone with my camera to man-eating slabs half mile out to sea, showing my artwork in galleries and watching people get real close, countless hours behind a computer learning new technologies, drives across the country documenting a struggling band’s self paid US tour, Fall on Long Island, Winter in Maine, breakfast in Puerto Rico, dinner in Idaho, layovers in Minnesota, sleeping in the middle of nowhere driving to California, taking in every moment and smiling. I don’t think I’ve ever smiled as much as I have in the last year.

I don’t know what the future holds for me, but these past two years have been phenomenal, and going by that, it looks like it will never rain again.”

View Finalists.