In portraying kitesurfing, board sports and the lifestyle that goes with it, image is everything. We are so used to seeing glossy magazines adorned with photographs that amaze and inspire us by capturing that perfect moment. So many of the articles that you find on KiteSista would not be the same without the images, but so often we forget about the person behind the camera, the photographer.
One such photographer who we have had the pleasure of working with over the last few years is Shayne Thomas, and we think it is about time you meet him.
KSm: Hi Shayne, can you take a moment to introduce yourself please
Shayne: Where do I start? I was born in the South of Africa (Mtata) and at the age of 6 I emigrated to the Island of Mauritius. I grew up on the island for the majority of my life and in late 2010 I made my next step to Zanzibar. Having grown up constantly surrounded by water – it’s easy to understand why I’m so besotted by the element.
KSm: How did you first get into photography?
Shayne: I’ve always had a passion for photography – ever since I could pick up a camera. What really got me into the hobby – turned – profession, was through diving. I was teaching diving for quite some time and as with any enthusiastic diver, the urge to take a camera underwater and share that world with others became too strong to resist. I eventually submitted one of those pictures to an underwater photography competition and came in 3rd place (not too bad for someone with a point and shoot camera). Since then, I thought why not focus on this and so I did – and haven’t looked back since.
KSm: What is it like to be a freelance photographer in Zanzibar with the recent explosion of the kiting scene?
Shayne: Being a freelance photographer here definitely has its ups and downs. Ups being that I’ve met so many people from all sorts of places; some with connections in the industry and others that have helped me in the right direction. I love kitesurfing and the fact of coming back home with a roll of great shots makes me happier than anything else. The downs of freelancing is that you do need to be a good business man in order to survive. Not a trait everyone has (myself included). But I’ve not let that stop me and with this mass explosion of kiting here – I’m becoming more and more known by people I’ve never met! Which is AWESOME! :)
KSm: Where (or who) would you credit as your inspirations and influences?
Shayne: Already my passion for water and the beauty of this tropical island inspires me to share it with the world, but if I could name a few people that have really inspired and pushed me in the direction to where I am, Marco (paje by kite), Brad (my brother), MOG (you know who you are) and some really close photographer friends. It’s always nice having the people who inspire you be really happy with the work you deliver and so that constantly drives me to better myself and to keep impressing them.
KSm: How would you describe your photographic style?
Shayne: My style in photography tends to have that same look – regardless of what I’m shooting. The most drastic being in the kiting. I love the dark, edgy, raw look as it reflects a lot of me in that picture. (not saying I’m gothic or anything, actually, anti-gothic haha), but its style that I love and I’m proud about and want to share. The more dramatic i can make my pictures – the better.
KSm: What equipment do you use?
Shayne: Hah! Funny you ask! Well – right now I’m left with just a handful of lenses as i don’t own a camera body anymore (due to having it stolen not so long ago). Luckily, I have close friends that lend their stuff to me and these are a Canon 7D and a Canon 60D. My favorite combination though, is my Sigma 10-20mm + the 7D body! It’s my perfect weapon of choice!
KSm: How do you feel about the balance and importance of the photographer as digital editor in the industry.
Shayne: Depending on what you want to show to the viewers, the importance of digital editing and manipulating can vary. For me personally, I try not to ‘change’ the actual picture too much, but rather design filters that can show an art form in the picture. I like to think of myself as a digital artist, and not only a photographer. I’ve applied this to the kiting & to other commercial work I’ve done and it’s worked very well so far.
KSm: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Shayne: 32 years old :P and hopefully a very well known kite photographer that gets sent around the world to photograph some of the most amazing places with the greatest riders and have an outstanding portfolio of images that really stand out from the rest (OK, may be a bit of a dream but hey – you’ve gotta hope big to achieve big).
KSm: How do you feel about always being behind the lens, creating the spotlight but never in it or is this a conscious choice?
Shayne: I’m not too phased by it. I love being behind the lens because I’m capturing what I see. If I see the occasional picture of myself photographing other people – I love it, I think its awesome. For me to be in the spotlight – I’m a bit camera shy, …not so much though after a good few long island ice teas.
KSm: Do you get to see you fair share of amusing/embarrassing incidents, and do you have any you can share with us?
Shayne: Absolutely! I’ve seen some things that I only wish I had the video camera to capture it. For one, I’ve seen students crash kites into cows on the beach, beginners losing their pants when water-starting, failed kite launches, a dog that got launched in the air by running after a kite that was just about to launch (Definitely one of the funniest! Strangely, the dog adapted to its feline rival and landed on its feet and ran around as if nothing had happened – probably savinging face).
KSm: What about your scariest moment behind a camera?
Shayne: Scariest moments are in their numbers – mainly when people ride past so close i can feel their fins on my back! Although once I got nailed on the head by a kite – which I was unaware of – until it collided. Needless to say – I left the area and found a more ‘safe’ place to shoot – with a really big lens, in a bunker and a helmet ;)
KSm: …and your best moment?
Shayne: The best moment I’ve had when being in the water must have been when I was out shooting for the day and Marco (paje by kite) came out with a few beers and at that moment, Brad (the brother) jumped close by and a beer was handed to him in mid-air (see image). The best thing about that was that it was unplanned and happened spontaneously. We tried doing it a few times again after but the first time was just perfect.
KSm: Nothing is perfect, so tell us what are the negatives behind your job?
Shayne: The negatives – well, I get quite lonely out there, standing there watching everyone kite (so I resort to making up songs and singing/humming to keep me from going mad). I don’t know if thats a negative, but it feels like it sometimes. As mentioned before, the main negative about my job as a freelancer is having to be a great businessman to really make a living out of it.
KSm: Do you also kitesurf? …and do you feel this is something needed to help to know how to work with kiters to capture the best moments?
Shayne: I do. But not as much as everyone else does – I spend more time in the water shooting than kiting, and its not a bad thing :) Yes, I believe having the knowledge of the sport really helps me know when the kiters are about to jump/do their tricks and to get into the right place at the right time. Also, as a kiter I can feel what it’s like to glide along those waters and have the sensations that people are so addicted to. By feeling that I want to show it through my pictures.
KSm: Other than action sports, what else do you like to shoot?
Shayne: Bikini models on the beach! :) Haha, well – most things. I do enjoy doing a lot with fashion and modeling. Otherwise, I shoot quite a lot of land based subjects such as hotels,weddings, products and other commercial stuff.
KSm: Do you have any words of advice/guidance for others looking to make their photographic hobby into a living?
Shayne: Never give up. Never EVER! if you really are keen on being a photographer – no matter how hard things get and how far down the hole you’re thrown – don’t stop and keep shooting. One day, something will come up and will make all those efforts worth it. I speak from experience. Its an art, and with anything artistic – it can be tough, but everyone has their chance and so keep looking for it and you will find it.
Thank you Shayne, it was a pleasure spending some time with you and I think it goes without saying that our readers will be seeing more of your work in the future.
