Alan van Gysen is one of South Africa's most respected surf photographers. With an inextinguishable drive and natural flair he has, since 1999, spent the subsequent years carving his mark into the local and international scene. His dedication to his craft has seen him capturing the artistry of South Africa’s and the world’s top surfers. Alan’s style is unmistakable. Preferring to shoot from the water he feeds off his subject’s energy, bringing his personal perspective to the moment and creating a tailored fusion of motion, time and space. His photographs exude a clarity and vibrancy that stirs every droplet of water to life, reflecting the very essence of what it means to be a surfer.
Alan’s presence in the line-up has been a blessing to Cape Town’s and South Africa’s surfing fraternity. Many an up and coming grommet’s career has been fast-forwarded by a centre-spread shot in premier national magazine Zigzag. Underground enthusiasts and traditional stalwarts have also enjoyed fleeting moments of fame, finding themselves featured in the pages of Zigzag or mainstream international publications. ‘I’m proud to be in a position where I can promote and publicise South African surfers both internationally and locally,’ enthuses Alan. ‘Our surfers don't have the opportunities their contemporaries from other countries like America and Australia have. They’re hungry to prove themselves and work hard to get images to promote themselves and their sport.’
Alan’s work has been published in almost every top-line surf magazine worldwide. He is a senior staff photographer for Zigzag (RSA) and a regular freelance contributor to Surfing (USA), ASL (Australia), Surfer’s Path (UK), Carve (UK), Surf 1st (Japan) and Fluir (South America). A seasoned traveler his exploits have taken him on multiple trips to Indonesia, the Maldives, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia.
Continually expanding and diversifying Alan has branched into photographing kayaking, paddling and surfskiing. He has been a senior staff photographer at SA Paddler since its inception in 2003 and has been published in Canoe & Kayak (USA). His extensive water knowledge and willingness to throw himself into hair-raising situations made him the ideal candidate for a recent Surfing Magazine trip to Zambia with an international crew of surfers and kayakers itching to ride a barreling rapid that only shows its face about twice a year. Under the guidance of South African kayaking aficionados Steve Fisher and Dale Jardine, the crew took to the warping rapid with Alan on board to capture the carnage. ‘Shooting Rapid 11 on the Zambezi River was definitely one of the most challenging and logistically difficult photographic projects I've undertaken,’ he explains. ‘Just to get to the rapid was a mission. I either had to put all my gear into a waterproof dry-bag, jump onto a bodyboard and float down stream to the rapid or undertake a gruelling 2 hour hike with all my equipment. On the third day I was swallowed by a whirlpool. The river can be a frightening unpredictable place.’
‘The most trying aspect was shooting the wave front on in the heart
of the raging Zambezi. Steve and the crew helped me get there by
harnessing ropes on both the Zambian and Zimbabwean side of the river to a white-water inflatable raft. We first had to duct-tape and glue the holes in the bottom of the raft to stop the river from taking us under. We then slid the raft into the rushing waters and secured ourselves just in front of the rapid. The problem is you can't be sure how much a rope will stretch when put to the test in a place this intense. The rope snapped on the first attempt. Steve and Dale were taken down stream.’
‘I was responsible for securing the swing rope on the shore to keep Steve, Dale and the raft on our part of the river. Unfortunately the rope and I got pinned beneath a rock and I received a major rope burn through my thigh muscle. It went septic two days later. All in all it was the most memorable trip I've photographed so far.’
Alan is an artist in every sense of the word. His photography is not confined to frames of grinning surfers tucking into azure barrels over the unspoilt reefs of the Maldive archipelagos, or madcap kayakers piloting their path through the tumultuous waters of the mighty Zambezi. He has the ability to appreciate the stillness of a tightly designed room or capture the intricate details of a finely sculpted piece. Always finding an interesting angle and using the varying light to create a distinct composition. He is fast establishing himself on the interior design front and has done private portfolios and website stock for Inhouse Interiors & Architects. Through an agent he has procured jobs with other established firms. He has also been published in Country Life and Men’s Health. Since experiencing the joys of his own wedding Alan has introduced wedding photography to his portfolio. His work has been instrumental in capturing the chemistry between couples and ensuring the magic of their big day remains long after the ceremony has ended.
In his life and his work Alan maintains an infectious positivity and enviable sense of balance. He is always looking forward and has the ability to constantly see the bigger picture. A meticulous work ethic, down to earth attitude and passion for his life behind the lens has brought him a degree of contentment seldom seen in others his age. A successful career that continues to flourish, an amazing wife and a wonderful home in the coastal suburb of Kommetjie, nestled in the south peninsula of the Western Cape, a stone’s throw away from the beaches he loves to surf.
‘When I was younger I prayed for and set myself three goals,’ reflects Alan. ‘To find a way of seeing the world, find my true love, and make a home with her in Kommetjie. Photography has given me all three of these. It has given me the chance to see the world and to capture amazing images through my
camera. If it wasn't for surf photography and surfing I wouldn't have
have met my wife. And if it wasn't for my photography, surfing and wife
I wouldn't have found a home in my dream place - Kommetjie.’
Words by Brendon Bosworth
Brendon Bosworth is a freelance writer, journalist and copywriter from Kommetjie, Cape Town.
He can be contacted on 076 764 4836 or (021) 783 4206 or Email: brendon783@gmail.com
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