SALT

Salt+Wax benefit gig

2011-08-24T13:54:00.002+01:00

Our friends StringerBessant get the funding rolling with the 'Sketchy Drop' Benefit Gig. Friday 14th October at St Merryn Parish Hall nr Padstow. All welcome with tickets available at.... Join us, it'll be fun. Promise.

http://www.seetickets.com/Event/STRINGERBESSANT-REEF-/St-Merryn-Parish-Hall/581489

Salt + Wax now available

2011-02-13T22:58:00.001Z

So it is now available but there is a slight twist as we wanted to make it more personal to the purchaser.

Please check out my main blog for details or if you are on Facebook then check out the dedicated page for purchase details.

Thanks again for everyone's stoke and patience.

Tropical

2011-01-04T00:10:00.000Z

So -15 was one of the warmer days. On the last day of post-production is was -21 and with a ridiculous wind chill that took it down to the -30's. Brrggggghhhhhh doesn't even come close to describing it.

-15

2010-12-02T17:17:00.001Z

Well we think it's cold in the UK right now. It's almost summer like compared to Poland where I'm off to for a shoot. Time to get some thermals.

Front Cover

2010-10-23T21:57:00.004+01:00

For Mark's first book, 'Made in China', Richard Bull [the Creative Director] made the title up into a sticker similar to what you would find on something mass produced in China. This was then randomly stuck on each book.

For 'Salt+Wax' Richard has decided that the title should be debossed into the front cover. It will have a white foil block inside that. Here are two early versions without the foil -

Drift

2010-10-22T19:31:00.002+01:00

So the book is now just a few weeks away from release. Here is a recent interview regarding the project -

Drift

About to cross the finish line

2010-08-03T23:04:00.000+01:00

So the PDFs have been approved and proofed and now we (Richard the designer and I) just have to choose the stock for the front cover.

I am so happy with everything and am now just sorting out the locations for the launch and then invites will be going out.

Info to follow ASAP.

All finished...

2010-05-19T19:02:00.000+01:00

...nearly. All the forwards are finally in and the feel of the book is done so it will be off to the print-press soon. Therefore I won't be updating this blog anymore (apart from to announce the book release date, price & availability and the opening night launch details.)

I will be updating stuff though on my main site blog -

Mark Leary

Thanks for viewing and hopefully see you at the book launch.

If only these were at all beaches

2010-04-27T16:31:00.000+01:00

It would certainly making heading in after a cold session more appealing.

O'Neill Cold Water Classic

2010-04-08T20:39:00.000+01:00

So in two days time I will be heading off up to Thurso for the above mentioned event. I'm documenting it on behalf of O"Neill and Huck magazine. Five events, five different photographers, seven images to be captured from given keywords and then a World wide tour of the results.

The forecast isn't looking good but I'm really looking forward to it [maybe not the 1600+ mile round trip also taking in London on the way back for meetings.]

Come on swell. Please appear 'cus you aren't about at the moment.

Woohoooooo!

2010-04-05T19:22:00.000+01:00

A friend found three of these laying dormant in a cupboard in a surf shop last week. £10 and they were ours. Allrriiiggggghhhhhtt!!

Nearly there

2010-03-17T22:34:00.004Z

So all of the images are shot but the designer and I decided it would be nice to have some Polaroids and Contact Sheets in the book. My scanner has been busy. Here are a few of them -

Kook

2010-02-21T20:29:00.006Z

Kook is a surfing newspaper, published independently, by the wonderfully talented Daniel Crockett, and printed in the UK on paper from sustainable forests. Treat yourselves. It has contributions from a bunch of talented surfers, such as the likes of Ryan Tatar, John Eldridge and Cyrus Sutton among others.

It will be the best thing you pick up for a very long time -

This Rich Tapestry

New site

2010-01-29T14:46:00.001Z

So I have been re-doing my main site and whilst I was at it I decided to set up a general blog. I will keep this one running as it is specific to this book but if you fancy seeing any other stuff I've shot then check it out.

Thanks.

Mark Leary Photography

The very kind people at Howies...

2010-01-29T14:38:00.005Z

...have sent me over some of their new merino wool base layers. As I have a few winter shots left to do they thought it only appropriate that that I don't make the 'models' too cold.

They look great and have nice little touches like 'thumb holes', so you don't lose the sleeve whilst pulling on your suit, and roll necks - which I think will sit better under a suit.

Can't wait to try one when the next swell arrives.

Leashes

2009-12-10T17:26:00.000Z

Whilst I was shooting some incidentals for my surf short I decided I wanted to shoot a still of this set-up for the book.

Chairs

2009-12-10T17:24:00.000Z

Shot this whilst I was at the St. Merryn surf jumble at the weekend.

Short film

2009-12-01T21:29:00.000Z

So, I've just spent the day editing some footage together to get an idea of how I want the short to work. I now have a rough storyboard together so just need to go out and shoot the footage over the winter and early spring.

She's back :-)

2009-11-25T14:22:00.000Z

Oh cr@p!

2009-11-16T12:51:00.000Z

Made In China

2009-11-09T22:41:00.003Z

I have a few copies of my first book left for sale. It would make a lovely Christmas stocking filler [I can't believe I'm saying that in November - I'm the first to scream at the TV when the Christmas ad's come on two months early.] Only £10 + P&P

Email mail@mark-leary.com for info/availability.

The Wegeners

2009-11-03T14:59:00.000Z

HUCK Silver Surfers article

2009-10-18T20:32:00.005+01:00

Cold shots

2009-10-15T13:41:00.004+01:00

Managed to sneak two days of glassy perfection in but Tuesday morning's 6am start was a little fresh to say the least [my summer suit can definitely go away for a good few months now].

That reminded me though that I need to do some winter shots - people in the carparks getting out of the inches of neoprene and trying to get dressed in two-seconds flat. That will be the last set of shots I reckon.

The thought of winter dips doesn't feel me with happy thoughts so I have thoughts of warmer places in my head right now.

Busy busy busy

2009-10-14T13:45:00.002+01:00

So I've been shooting a huge campaign that has seemed to have taken over my life but the end is in sight and I just have to oversee all the post-production work now.

Therefore, I haven't done anything more towards the book apart from send a CD off to the designer to start thinking about things. Whilst it's in his capable hands I will be shooting the short film to go with it but for now it's into a darkened room to watch a man play around in photoshop. :-(

Finished shot

2009-08-07T21:59:00.003+01:00

So I have always tried to shoot everything in camera and what I compose I print - I don't crop - but in this case we had very little time and I prefer the expression of two of the characters in one shot and the other two from the second sheet. I usually only shoot a single sheet for my personal work but with commissions I usually spoil the AD and shoot two. ;-) In this case it was very handy.

The Surfer

2009-08-04T23:30:00.001+01:00

Just shot these ready for a press release for a short film. It's a short by the very talented and funny Dominic Coleman.

Finished prints

2009-06-09T15:04:00.001+01:00

Another twelve prints done so that's the project complete, shooting wise. Now just the short film to shoot to go with it.

MIC.jpg

2009-04-29T20:29:00.001+01:00

Heading to London for a few days as I have an exhibition of my 'Made In China' series.

One more for HUCK

2009-04-14T16:34:00.002+01:00

HUCK Portraits

2009-03-25T10:36:00.002Z

I'm working on a series of 'Over 60s' for HUCK magazine. I shot Gwyned with a bellyboard for a friend's book and then I shot her with her minimal. She was raring to get in, as the swell was dying, so I didn't have time to shoot the minimal Polaroid.

She was a very graceful surfer and it was a pleasure to watch her slide.

Finished

2009-03-11T12:26:00.004Z

So I've changed the bike a little. I've put an old Japanese Keirin seat on and changed my clipless pedals to old MKS pedals and toe-clips. It means I can wear my Con's or Gravis shoes when just going for a hack on it to visit friends - instead of having to wear my Sidi 'Roy Castle tap-dancing shoes'.

I've also put some grip-tape on the bars. It adds the finishing touch I think.

Bellyboarding ladies

2009-03-11T12:08:00.003Z

I was allowed to dress someone's window to accommodate my bellyboarding shot. Whose window it is will be revealed soon.

Elsie & C.J.

2009-03-11T11:52:00.006Z

Two more portraits this week.

Elsie Pinniger has her own wetsuit and clothing company that mainly caters for ladies in their late 20's to early 30's that aren't catered for by other surf brands. Both her wetsuits and clothing range are very beautifully understated and stylish and different to what is on the market. Check out her site -

Neon

Not much to say about C.J. that you don't already know. Having been shaping from the 60's, learning his trade in the old Bilbo factory, his reputation speaks for itself.

A couple more

2009-03-01T17:50:00.001Z

In between doing the day's gardening I shot these two shots -

Working

2009-02-25T14:30:00.005Z

Was driving past this spot after a surf just down the road and, as it doesn't work that often, managed to get a shot. I was shooting directly into the sun so this will take a bit of work in the darkroom. Good to be kept on your toes every so often though.

St Merryn surf swap

2009-02-25T14:25:00.005Z

Attended the surf swap at St Merryn village hall this last weekend. Lots of old copies of Surfers' Path & Surfers' Journal and a collection of fins, boots, leashes et al.

Most of the boards seemed to get swapped and I ate plenty of local flapjack and cake. Yuuuuuummmmmmmyyyyyyy! :-)

A few more portraits

2009-02-25T14:13:00.009Z

Laura -

Janet & John -

Rebecca & Chris

Pier surfing

2009-01-19T10:09:00.004Z

Not quite Malibu but when it's blown out everywhere else this offers a fun little wave. Shame it was ruined by a bunch of fools on jet skis.

Contact sheets

2009-01-17T22:06:00.004Z

Having got the film processed from a few weeks back I have decided that four shots, including the portrait of Neil, will go in the book.

Mr. Erskine

2009-01-06T16:22:00.006Z

So spent a few days at spot X and shot this plate of Neil. I only had about thirty seconds to set up and shoot as he was eager to hit the water.

I also shot eight rolls, on the Mamiya 7, of a few sat in the line-up and some shots of them sliding. I waded out off of the point up to shoulder height and then as a set came had to put my arm straight up in the air and jump. There were a few near misses.

I think I got some great shots but the sacrifice was sleeping in the car whilst it was -5˚ outside for a few days until Spot X started working.

Finished fixie

2009-01-06T15:45:00.005Z

So it's back on the road. I was going to do some pinlining but I decided to keep it simple. Did treat myself to a more authentic seat though - only about 100 miles to go to break it in. :-(

I'm going to get some red tape or grips to go on it next week I think. Too cold to be cycling around with bare metal handlebars.

Car interiors

2008-12-30T16:44:00.008Z

Two more shots for the interior series. A couple of more close-in incidentals this time - a few blocks of wax and some fin keys & earplugs by my sunglasses.

It was a struggle to shoot these two as it's not the biggest car but I think they will work really nicely when printed a little lighter than the polaroids. Thank goodness I wasn't shooting on the 10x8.

Frame colour

2008-12-30T16:41:00.001Z

So the main colour is now on and the first layer of laquer. Just another four coats to go.

Frost

2008-12-28T00:38:00.007Z

Finally got some frost over night [not that I particularly want it to get cold] so I could shoot some follow-up car shots. I wanted the windows to be completely frosted over so you get that lovely texture on the window [not visible in the polaroid but will definitely be on the film and when printed up to a 20x24].

I shot about four set-ups which I'm really happy with. I think they will work nicely as a series.

Respray

2008-12-23T15:26:00.008Z

Started to get the chosen shots scanned now so I can start playing around with the order. Whilst I was waiting for these I decided that my bike was looking a little shabby so I've stripped it back, removed the rust, filler-primed and finish-primed it ready for it's make-over.

I'll leave it for at least 48hrs and then on with the nice new coat.

Wegener Alaia

2008-12-14T19:45:00.004Z

Drove to the beach this morning but it was flat so I drove home and shot this instead.

No room for passengers

2008-12-14T00:11:00.006Z

For the last few days I've been driving around with boards in the car and I was staring at them thinking it would be great to have a shot looking across the passenger side, out to the line-up, with a board or few in the seat. I shot a few with a friend's Alaia and one shot with my keel fin. I love the Alaia one as it just looks like some wood in the car until you see the little beads of wax on it and the Wegener logo.

2008-12-14T00:04:00.002Z

So I know my last post said I'm only a few away from completing the project but I've changed my mind. I would like to do another four or so portraits and some water shots. Not action shots but just guys paddling out or sat in the line-up. I also want to do some winter shots. Last weekend when I got out there was steam pouring out of my suit as I unzipped. I'd like to do a few portraits with steam everywhere.

2008-11-16T17:33:00.002Z

So I feel I'm now about three shots away from the finished contents. I've quickly scanned the contacts and just laser-printed them out. I will start changing the order and see how the images run. From there I'll decide if the new shots will fit in and if there's anything I've glaringly missed

Coastal Maps

2008-11-16T17:15:00.004Z

Another one this morning. Just some Ordnance Survey maps on the kitchen wall and a copy of Surfer's Path on the kitchen table.

Gravis

2008-11-16T17:09:00.004Z

Along with the poolboard shot I also shot some new skate shoes on the chair next to it. I'm going to re-shoot this shot with a leash and some fins or a block of wax on the chair instead.

Pool Board

2008-11-16T16:58:00.004Z

Just a shot of my poolboard. I want to keep this project as surfing as possible but as most surfers skate then I'm happy to include this one in the book.

Drying out

2008-10-13T20:09:00.006+01:00

I'd shot this set-up previously last week but it was the boots and gloves just in the bottom of the bathtub. It felt a bit forced as I had to look over the bath from a higher viewpoint. I decided to put them in the tray and re-shoot. I'm glad I did as it feels a much more natural shot.

Evening paddle

2008-10-13T20:03:00.005+01:00

After getting rinsed by a double overhead set, because of my lazy paddling, I decided to get out and go off and shoot. Headed to a great little wave on the north coast and shot this. I had about ten minutes to get the shot as the light was fading quickly. So, after shooting a quick roll on the Mamiya 7, I set-up the Ebony and shot three sheets.

Bro/Dot & Peter

2008-10-03T16:34:00.006+01:00

A few more portraits for the book -

Chris 'Bro' Diplock - one of the very best shapers around as well as a past knee-boarding world champion.

Also, inside his shaping bay.

Dot & Peter - Dot was one of the eldest (if not the eldest) contestants at this year's World Bellyboarding Championship. I have a shot of all of the female contestants in an expression session. It has a feel of a 1930's seaside postcard (especially if I base-fog the print).

Peter, on the other hand, doesn't care for such foolishness and favours golfing instead. This means he can wrap up nice and warm on the fairway whilst his wife is splashing around in the sea for three of the four seasons in nothing more than a swimming costume.

Lines

2008-10-03T16:25:00.005+01:00

Whilst teaching some friends to surf last weekend I took an early morning stroll down to my favourite spot. What greeted me was beautiful lines. This might be used as the front cover for the book or the ending shot.

2008-09-01T14:51:00.003+01:00

Film loaded, polaroid loaded, lenses cleaned... off to photograph OAPs who bellyboard and, hopefully, John Craven who will be there with the Countryfile team.

The 6th World Bellyboarding Championship

Notebooks

2008-08-18T12:28:00.007+01:00

For the first time for a project I'm keeping all the polaroids I shoot and making finished work books. Notes on the people and places I shoot which will be used in the published book. I wanted to use my last six boxes of Polaroid Type 54 for this project. I felt it would be a great way to celebrate the magic that Polaroid gave us for so long.

No room to move

2008-08-12T18:13:00.002+01:00

First set of prints

2008-08-12T18:05:00.006+01:00

So, having spent three days straight in the darkroom I have about twenty to twenty-five prints towards the book. I'm struggling to find a place to lay them out so I can start rearranging them into some sort of order. From there I will start to work out where I'm missing shots.