John Respondek Launches New Website And Online Print Store

They arrived as a birthday gift from a good friend. Solid covers in yellow, pink, and blue — minimal design, just three words stamped across each: the surfer, and the shooter. Taj, by Respondek. Craig, by Respondek. Dion, by Respondek. 

Inside, they were nothing but plain — a photo diary of tight, intricate surfing moments. Weirdly intimate, zoomed in close enough to notice a slick of regret pooling on the brow while a warping death reaper bends around Craig Anderson’s symmetrical face.

They still sit on my desk. I’ve moved houses enough times to lose most of my belongings, but these survived. Partly because they look good — a subtle flex of taste I don’t entirely own — but mostly because I actually value them. I can look at the images over and over, catch the little details, imagine the sessions, the locations, whether they had coffee before paddling out. Not just swiping past with a casual nod before the algorithm floods me with flawless faces and viral turds. 

“Im pretty hyped on the new project,” says John. “I built the site and did the design myself. Big learning process, but I’m getting there!”

A snippet from John’s website: 

“I believe that photography of the ocean is a unique and stand-alone form of art. I always aim to record highly impactful moments, with an interesting perspective which celebrates the fleeting moments and nuances that might otherwise go unseen.” 

“My photographic style gravitates towards the in-between, mysterious and elusive moments, as well as recording the weird and wacky unpredictability that the ocean provides.“

More collections will drop soon. Exhibitions, too. 

There’s nothing like holding something between your hands. A sandwich. Some skin. A meaty piece of surf imagery. 

Visit John’s site here.