Craig Anderson: A Photo Essay

We miss print. We’re hardly in the business of it anymore, and the number of publications who’ve also succumbed to the .com are incessantly increasing. 

Other than being a detriment to our attention span, the internet’s media monopoly negatively impacts those who surf fans once relied upon. Photographers.

Surf publications were once founded upon the highest quality shots – that was the reason we bought them. Today the value of surf imagery has unfortunately been diminished. It’s a futile pursuit competing against the immediacy of Instagram or the ease of an online video. 

Deep down though, we know there’s a quality in images which can’t bested. And this quality is best absorbed in full resolution print – digital pixels just don’t cut it. 

John Respondek is one photographer persisting with his passion for bringing high-tier imagery to the demanding audience in it’s principal platform.  

Spon released ‘Dion. By Respondek’ a few years ago, then last year we saw the release of ‘Taj. By Respondek’; two publications which sit proudly upon our office shelf and are perused every moment we need a moment to slow our tech-riddled minds down. 

Today, we see the release of ‘Craig. By Respondek’. A 120-page photo book documenting the pivotal moments from Craig’s career over the last five years. Spanning from Australia, to Israel, to Ireland and more, ‘Craig.’ is compiled from the best moments of these trips, accompanied by words direct from Craig’s mouth.  

“As a free surfer, it’s an important part of the job to be working with photographers.” Craig says in the new photo essay. “It’s great to spend time, travel, and work with someone like John, who is amazing at what he does, but he’s also one of my close friends who I enjoy hanging out with and who shares similar interests.

“I love working and travelling with John, and this book captures the best part of the last 5 years hanging out and having fun.”

“I was really hoping to avoid using the word ‘style’ in the introduction.” John Respondek says. “To do so seems like a cliché when talking about Craig as a surfer, although I do have to mention the distinct, unique, and seemingly effortless way he surfs.

“It’s almost as if Craig’s knees move in ways they were never made to move, and this creates a one of a kind technique. He always keeps me absorbed and intrigued, and I find this so much fun to shoot.”

Craig. By Respondek can be bought directly from his website www.respondekphoto.com. 

There, you’ll also find copies of the Taj and Dion photo essays. 

They’ve arrested us from our scrolls numerous times, and will continue to do so into the future. You should let them arrest your attention too.