Imagine if your next photo assignment was documenting a surf mission to find undiscovered waves somewhere off the remote, icy shores of Russia. Well, that’s just another day in the life of 24-year-old photographer Dylan Gordon. By following his passion for surfing, skateboarding, motorcycles, and travel, Dylan’s photography is the work of wanderlust, and his most faithful muse is the great outdoors.
When did you first discover photography?
Growing up, I played around a lot with different visual mediums, trying to find where my interest really lied. I loved graphic design but lacked the foresight and hand coordination to create the kind of work I liked. Same with architecture. I found that even when I was traveling for skating, I loved capturing images and telling the stories from the trips almost more than being in the contests I was there for, which eventually lead me down the path of deciding on going to college for Visual Journalism, a combination of journalism, photography, and filmmaking. It’s hard to figure out the route you want to take. I find with a lot of my work, I have to experiment in a handful of things before I find what I’ve been looking for. I’ve found that because of my dabbles in design I now approach storytelling in a very graphic way, it plays a lot into how I compose an image or how I capture a story. I love that. I love pulling from experiences to grow my vision as a photographer or filmmaker. The best thing you can do for yourself as a creative is to dabble, experiment, explore.
Surfing and skateboarding are enjoying a huge resurgence in mainstream popular culture. How does the surf and skate lifestyle inspire your photography in ways that you can’t find in other muses?
Honestly, I kind of view it in the opposite sense. Because my work is so integrated into both of those industries, I often have to look away from them to free myself to see, think, and create creatively. I find if I get too inundated by what my peers are doing or creating, I get uninspired. I love looking at what artists of all kinds are doing in different mediums or disciplines and drawing small inspirations from that. I love seeing long term projects, art concepts and series that friends and unique artists are working on. It’s always inspiring to see someone go from a concept to creating a body of work and take it as far as to make a book, have a show, or release the work in a unique way. I think it’s healthy to look outside of your natural field to find inspiration, it keeps you seeing what you do on the day to day in a different way than just trying to get the same drone shot or the same skate trick in the same way as everyone else.
Tell us about your internship with Chris Burkard and if/how that helped shape your career. Who are some other photographers that inspire you?
My time with Burky was great, it was a huge eye opener into the workflow and how to conduct the business side of photography. And if you’re going to learn the business from anyone, he’s the guy. He’s such an insane hustler that you see first hand how he became the most published surf photographer in the industry. The guy works hard, and it pays off – always rad to see that.
Around the same time, I was also studying and working under a cat named Scott Soens. Rad to see the difference in the work and lifestyles of the two at the same time. Scott is an incredible talent. You’ve probably seen his work but never knew he had a hand in it. He shoots massive commercial campaigns and then the next week will be the Main DP on a massive surf film. Cool to see the honest hustle survive on both ends of the spectrum.
Favorite shoot location?
Hard to say I have a favorite. I honestly love being home. The central coast of California has a special place in my heart and constantly inspires me to shoot. But you can’t beat travel. Every time I go somewhere new, I’m inspired to capture it in a new way or use a new technique. It adds a fun way to approach capturing a place. It’s also super fun to return to a zone and attempt to capture it in an entirely new light. It’s always inspiring to get out of your comfort zone a little bit, even in places you don’t know that well.
Next major project or dream project?
This year is a fun one for me. I’ve decided to get off the hustle a little bit and commit more to a few larger, longer term projects I’ve been wanting to do for a while.
This year, I’ll be shooting and directing my first feature film, which is a bit of an artistic undertaking, but I’m stoked to experiment and put all of my experiences into it. The project should be an interesting endeavor, and it is part of my commitment to make more physical work. So much of what we create these days goes directly into the digital ether. I love creating work that has longevity, something physical that you can hold, keep touch with, and come back to some day later to be inspired by again. In addition to the film, this year I plan on making a few zines and working on my first substantial book.
What’s in your gear bag?
Because the nature of my work takes me to all ends of the world – shooting everything from high-end commercial gigs to shooting in remote regions like Russia chasing waves – my bag is generally a bit mixed.
The Bags
F-stop SUKHA. This bag has gone around the world and back with me for the last 4 years. Hell storms, motorcycle trips, countless planes, vans and boats alike. She’s made the haul through all weathers, fallen off motorcycles and somehow never allowed any of my gear to be damaged. Tried and true, this is the best bag I’ve ever owned.
Domke F-2 .The Domke bag usually lives as my go-to day bag when traveling. When I’m in the field and have the freedom to base out of somewhere, this is the bag I take out in the field for short day trips. Generally, it can carry 2 cameras and 3-4 lenses depending on my needs along with enough side pockets for spare film, cards, batteries and what not.
Cameras — Nikon D5, Nikon D4s, FM2, Polaroid 185.
My Nikon D5 is my go-to camera for most any adventure trip. It’s heavy, but a tank. It survives any weather I encounter and is able to keep up with any action sport or lifestyle. Again, it’s a beast but it is an amazing camera. She also shoots 4k & 120fps which makes her a great backup motion camera for shorts and rad web-clips.
The Nikon D4s is now my backup camera and lives in my AquaTech housing full time for when I need to shoot water. Shoots 11FPS when she needs to which makes her perfect for capturing water.
The Nikon FM2 is my go-to film camera. Dark, small and inconspicuous. Love taking this camera on trips simply for those magic moments when I can sneak away and capture it on film.
Polaroid 185. I first fell in love with Polaroids when I found an old Polaroid 280 at a swap meet a few years back for $10. I shot for years on that until I felt the limitations and wanted a Polaroid that had full manual option. Since then I’ve shot on the 185 and have been in love with the potential. Any of the Polaroids I shoot now are on that and I try to bring it on most any trip I know I’ll have the freedom to get creative on film with. Usually just for my own personal use.
Lenses — 24-70, 16-35, 50, 80-400
These four lenses are my primary workhorses. I have a variety of specialty lenses I bring for certain trips if I know I need specific shots, but to cover my bases these four are in my bag full time.
24-70 f/2.8 — I tend to keep the 24-70 on my camera 70% of the time. The reason for this is based on the nature of my work, I need to have the flexibility to quickly adapt to any situation. This lens allows for great portraits and action alike. It’s a bit of a beast and makes your setup large but is well worth it for the capabilities.
16-35 f/4 — I primarily use this lens for action. When I’m traveling via motorcycle this is my go-to lens, also is beautiful for landscapes.
50 f/1.4 — Not that this lens needs much explanation as it’s one of the most produced.
Keep up with Dylan’s latest adventures by following him on his Instagram: @dylangordon
