PhotoLyfe: Alan van Gysen

Welcome to PhotoLyfe, in which Stab‘s favourite photographers answer questions about themselves with their own images. It’s that old picture-tells-a-thousand-words chestnut but with more colour and pop. It’s a way to cut out all the bullshit. It’s like jacking into the main vein of those who supply us with exquisite surf imagery every day. Give thanks by studying each image with a more careful eye than ever! Alan Peter van Gysen was a competitive swimmer, competitive water polo player and lifeguard. Can you think of a more equipped man to be a water photographer, beating his fins against a current for hours and stuffing his housing through a wave face at just the right moment? AVG comes from Kommetjie in South Africa, and aside from being a general badass in some of the world’s sharkiest waters, Alan plays the oboe, eats raw food, is a bonsai enthusiast and is addicted to Castle Milk Stout. Who knew the aquatic eye of Cape Town surfing would have such endearing kinks! You should most certainly drink in Alan’s blog, here, or at the very least, do yourself a favour and follow him on Instagram @alanvangysen 1. Describe yourself.   2. Where are you from?   3. What got you into photography?   4. Where do you wish you were right now?   5. What inspires you?   6. Who’s your favourite person to photograph?   7. What makes the best photograph?   8. What’s your favourite weapon?   9. Describe your mood right now.   10. What else should we know about you?