Zak Bush: Revisions
Saturdays Surf NYC’s resident photographer’s solo show melds moody urban scenes with surreal seascapes
The surf scene in NYC has exploded in recent years, with surf shops cropping up in both Manhattan and Brooklyn. Seeing a board on the train is common—especially in the warmer months. It’s this growing scene that brought photographer Zak Bush to the city from his native Canada to serve as the in-house photographer for local brand Saturdays Surf NYC. After two years shooting everything from icy barrels on the Atlantic coast to backstage at New York Fashion Week, the young photographer now presents his first solo show “Revisions” opening today, 2 May, at Picture Farm Gallery.
“Shooting surfing here is interesting because so many elements factor into capturing a solid photo: transportation, swells, weather, etc.,” Bush says. Surfing on the East Coast requires a bit more hustle than places blessed with more consistent swell and this passion for lining up conditions is palpable in “Revisions.” The ocean is captured with a very particular care, almost as if the image has been composed and considered at length long before the shutter was fired.
Relocating to the city has also broadened Bush’s artistic focus. “Surf photography used to be the main focus in my life and since moving here, I’ve had to re-prioritize a bit and put more effort into other aspects of work,” he says. Bush’s ability to capture mood in urban landscapes and fashion is clearly informed by his image-making process in surfing, where waiting for the right moment is essential. “‘Revisions’ shows my transition between living in rural Canada and moving to NYC,” Bush says, “by putting images from the respective environments next to each other, you can compare and contrast the two environments.
“Revisions” opens today, 2 May 2014, at Picture Farm Gallery in Brooklyn. For a look at Bush’s extensive body of work, check out his portfolio online.
Images courtesy of Zak Bush, gallery photos by Hans Aschim
