Portfolio: Mark Wilson

Photographer/Artist/Surfer

Community

$This image was captured during Hurricane Sandy in Cocoa Beach, Florida. I reworked the image to give it a monochromatic appearance with blues and grays to relate the feeling of wild conditions and weather we were experiencing related to the storm. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.marksainwilson.com/?splash=1\" target=_blank>Mark Wilson</a>$

This image was captured during Hurricane Sandy in Cocoa Beach, Florida. I reworked the image to give it a monochromatic appearance with blues and grays to relate the feeling of wild conditions and weather we were experiencing related to the storm. Photo: Mark Wilson

$This is my local break, and the picture that I won the Hurricane Katia Shootout by Magic Seaweed. If you stay in the water, you can enter the property and surf one of our best local breaks around. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.marksainwilson.com/?splash=1\" target=_blank>Mark Wilson</a>$

This is my local break, and the picture that I won the Hurricane Katia Shootout by Magic Seaweed. If you stay in the water, you can enter the property and surf one of our best local breaks around. Photo: Mark Wilson

$This is an image of a young lady entering the water. I mounted a print on a 8X8 inch wood cradled panel, and cover it in beeswax and damar resin, and then added pigmented wax using a heat gun to create the swirls of color to give it a dreamlike appearance. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.marksainwilson.com/?splash=1\" target=_blank>Mark Wilson</a>$

This is an image of a young lady entering the water. I mounted a print on a 8X8 inch wood cradled panel, and cover it in beeswax and damar resin, and then added pigmented wax using a heat gun to create the swirls of color to give it a dreamlike appearance. Photo: Mark Wilson

$This was shot in Stuart, Florida during Hurricane Irene. I like this image because it shows what can happen when all the elements come together in Florida to produce some sizeable waves and tubes. The white spots are the result of whitewater hitting the rock ledge I’m shooting from and blasting 20+ feet in the air. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.marksainwilson.com/?splash=1\" target=_blank>Mark Wilson</a>$

This was shot in Stuart, Florida during Hurricane Irene. I like this image because it shows what can happen when all the elements come together in Florida to produce some sizeable waves and tubes. The white spots are the result of whitewater hitting the rock ledge I’m shooting from and blasting 20+ feet in the air. Photo: Mark Wilson

$I shot this with film, back when I was staying in California for a while, and was pointing my camera more at mountain bikers than I was at surfers, due to the fact I would rather surf than miss out while taking pictures of everyone else enjoying the waves. It was a heavy day at The Wedge, with Kelly Slater, Christen Fletcher, Danny Kwock, and Strider out. I like this image from that day because it focuses on the bodyboarder, and the body surfer on the edge of this monster that demands respect from anyone who challenges it. You go out and you’re going to take a beating. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.marksainwilson.com/?splash=1\" target=_blank>Mark Wilson</a>$

I shot this with film, back when I was staying in California for a while, and was pointing my camera more at mountain bikers than I was at surfers, due to the fact I would rather surf than miss out while taking pictures of everyone else enjoying the waves. It was a heavy day at The Wedge, with Kelly Slater, Christen Fletcher, Danny Kwock, and Strider out. I like this image from that day because it focuses on the bodyboarder, and the body surfer on the edge of this monster that demands respect from anyone who challenges it. You go out and you’re going to take a beating. Photo: Mark Wilson

$This image symbolizes the reason I wanted to take my camera into the ocean to start with. The view of looking out of the tube for sure, but also, all the colors, moods, and moments experienced only by surfers. This view is what unites surfers worldwide into this lifestyle of the endless pursuit of waves. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.marksainwilson.com/?splash=1\" target=_blank>Mark Wilson</a>$

This image symbolizes the reason I wanted to take my camera into the ocean to start with. The view of looking out of the tube for sure, but also, all the colors, moods, and moments experienced only by surfers. This view is what unites surfers worldwide into this lifestyle of the endless pursuit of waves. Photo: Mark Wilson

$I caught flack this day from my buddies for bailing on them when I saw Kayla Durbin ripping the bits out of a wave on the back end of a swell thanks to Hurricane Katia. I swam my way down and captured Kayla just as she was dropping in to this little gem. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.marksainwilson.com/?splash=1\" target=_blank>Mark Wilson</a>$

I caught flack this day from my buddies for bailing on them when I saw Kayla Durbin ripping the bits out of a wave on the back end of a swell thanks to Hurricane Katia. I swam my way down and captured Kayla just as she was dropping in to this little gem. Photo: Mark Wilson

$I shot this at a lone stretch of beach in central Florida during Hurricane Leslie. For 2 days this place was on fire with mostly right tubes really opening up. There was a lot of water moving that day, and as I was being ripped north down the beach. I came up and this left was holding up and draining right at me just as a ray of light came out of the clouds to touch the top of the wave. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.marksainwilson.com/?splash=1\" target=_blank>Mark Wilson</a>$

I shot this at a lone stretch of beach in central Florida during Hurricane Leslie. For 2 days this place was on fire with mostly right tubes really opening up. There was a lot of water moving that day, and as I was being ripped north down the beach. I came up and this left was holding up and draining right at me just as a ray of light came out of the clouds to touch the top of the wave. Photo: Mark Wilson

$This is The Poles. Same as in picture 14. The name was given by the poles that separate a navy installation and a city park. Being just a little over a mile from my house, this is my go to spot to check the surf. Hanging out talking to people about the swell, this guy put his board on the rail and the red fin just really stuck out to me. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.marksainwilson.com/?splash=1\" target=_blank>Mark Wilson</a>$

This is The Poles. Same as in picture 14. The name was given by the poles that separate a navy installation and a city park. Being just a little over a mile from my house, this is my go to spot to check the surf. Hanging out talking to people about the swell, this guy put his board on the rail and the red fin just really stuck out to me. Photo: Mark Wilson

$This is a view compliments of Hurricane Sandy. After the storm passed, we had a few days of blue sky and clean surf. This was beauty created by the beast. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.marksainwilson.com/?splash=1\" target=_blank>Mark Wilson</a>$

This is a view compliments of Hurricane Sandy. After the storm passed, we had a few days of blue sky and clean surf. This was beauty created by the beast. Photo: Mark Wilson

$This is an island just north of my house. Being a little removed, a commitment to get there, and throw in being fickle, not too many people attempt it (although in the past few years the numbers have increased). It gets hollow and as seen here offers up some nice ramps. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.marksainwilson.com/?splash=1\" target=_blank>Mark Wilson</a>$

This is an island just north of my house. Being a little removed, a commitment to get there, and throw in being fickle, not too many people attempt it (although in the past few years the numbers have increased). It gets hollow and as seen here offers up some nice ramps. Photo: Mark Wilson

$I started out this day surfing for 3 hours before I jumped in with my camera to grab some shots of the prime conditions before a looming front would push through, and blow things out. I can’t get enough of this view. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.marksainwilson.com/?splash=1\" target=_blank>Mark Wilson</a>$

I started out this day surfing for 3 hours before I jumped in with my camera to grab some shots of the prime conditions before a looming front would push through, and blow things out. I can’t get enough of this view. Photo: Mark Wilson

$I like this image because of an old school look to a new school move. The reason I felt it could work as an “aged” image is because the surfer is captured here with so much style, and style is timeless… Photo: <a href=\"http://www.marksainwilson.com/?splash=1\" target=_blank>Mark Wilson</a>$

I like this image because of an old school look to a new school move. The reason I felt it could work as an “aged” image is because the surfer is captured here with so much style, and style is timeless… Photo: Mark Wilson

$I like this image because it depicts how isolated some waves can be and the rewards it has to offer for those who seek. The tone and feel helps relay the message that exploration and reward are possible no matter how crowded our planet gets. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.marksainwilson.com/?splash=1\" target=_blank>Mark Wilson</a>$

I like this image because it depicts how isolated some waves can be and the rewards it has to offer for those who seek. The tone and feel helps relay the message that exploration and reward are possible no matter how crowded our planet gets. Photo: Mark Wilson

$I was on a road trip in mainland Mexico with a friend, and we surfed this left point for a couple of weeks, and had a blast. Only a few other surfers, pumping waves, great spear fishing, good food, and cheap beer. We were set. I caught this picture of one of the other surfers coming in as the sun sets as a left peels off in the background. It always reminds me of my friend, who has since passed, and for the great trip it was. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.marksainwilson.com/?splash=1\" target=_blank>Mark Wilson</a>$

I was on a road trip in mainland Mexico with a friend, and we surfed this left point for a couple of weeks, and had a blast. Only a few other surfers, pumping waves, great spear fishing, good food, and cheap beer. We were set. I caught this picture of one of the other surfers coming in as the sun sets as a left peels off in the background. It always reminds me of my friend, who has since passed, and for the great trip it was. Photo: Mark Wilson

$This was taken at the Jacksonville Beach Pier, Florida during The 7 Tiki Pro. The surfer is Tanner Deprin. Tanner laid down this gouging turn right in front of me and I knew I had the shot. I adjusted it to a more pleasing tone, and cropped it into a square format, which comes from years shooting medium format cameras. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.marksainwilson.com/?splash=1\" target=_blank>Mark Wilson</a>$

This was taken at the Jacksonville Beach Pier, Florida during The 7 Tiki Pro. The surfer is Tanner Deprin. Tanner laid down this gouging turn right in front of me and I knew I had the shot. I adjusted it to a more pleasing tone, and cropped it into a square format, which comes from years shooting medium format cameras. Photo: Mark Wilson

$I captured this shot down at my local beach late one morning. The water was nice and green that day with not much sand churned up, which is usually the case with our sand bottoms. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.marksainwilson.com/?splash=1\" target=_blank>Mark Wilson</a>$

I captured this shot down at my local beach late one morning. The water was nice and green that day with not much sand churned up, which is usually the case with our sand bottoms. Photo: Mark Wilson

$This images is iconic because it depicts a local Mitch Kaufmann, (dubbed the mayor of Jax Beach, due to him knowing everyone, and having done a lot for our local surf community) aiming to shoot The Jacksonville Beach Pier on his 12 foot board. The pier has always been a wave magnet, and the waves here have produced a wealth of talent throughout the years. We have a very strong surf community here. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.marksainwilson.com/?splash=1\" target=_blank>Mark Wilson</a>$

This images is iconic because it depicts a local Mitch Kaufmann, (dubbed the mayor of Jax Beach, due to him knowing everyone, and having done a lot for our local surf community) aiming to shoot The Jacksonville Beach Pier on his 12 foot board. The pier has always been a wave magnet, and the waves here have produced a wealth of talent throughout the years. We have a very strong surf community here. Photo: Mark Wilson

$I met Jackson Bridwell on the beach this day and he was stoked I was about to go for a swim with my camera. He worked to line up with me and wanted to get a good shot of himself. We got a few good one, but I like this one best because you just get a glimpse of him as the wave hit the inside sandbar and really throws out. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.marksainwilson.com/?splash=1\" target=_blank>Mark Wilson</a>$

I met Jackson Bridwell on the beach this day and he was stoked I was about to go for a swim with my camera. He worked to line up with me and wanted to get a good shot of himself. We got a few good one, but I like this one best because you just get a glimpse of him as the wave hit the inside sandbar and really throws out. Photo: Mark Wilson

$This image was captured one evening as the sun was dropping. I swam out and the current was so strong I had no hope of keeping up with surfers. I focused my attention on the beauty of the light matched with the offshore winds creating these really nice colors and textures. Dragging the shutter a bit, I was able to capture this painterly wave. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.marksainwilson.com/?splash=1\" target=_blank>Mark Wilson</a>$

This image was captured one evening as the sun was dropping. I swam out and the current was so strong I had no hope of keeping up with surfers. I focused my attention on the beauty of the light matched with the offshore winds creating these really nice colors and textures. Dragging the shutter a bit, I was able to capture this painterly wave. Photo: Mark Wilson

A portrait of the artist: Mark Wilson.

I am a photographic artist and lifelong surfer, and I’m finally grabbing my camera more than I’m grabbing my board these days.

Most of my shots here were taken in Florida over the last year or so, due to the fact that I haven’t traveled much lately trying to acquire more camera equipment. I’m looking to getting out of town soon and see what I can create. I’ve always been a huge fan of surf art due to the escape from reality it provides, and that has been my driving force for missing out on surfing swells to shoot them, to express my vision as I see it. Now I am attempting to create imagery that is more than just a picture, but an image that gives the viewer a sense of time and place, and hopefully…escape from reality. Thanks for checking out my work.

View more of Mark’s work here.

Contribute

Join our community of contributors.

Apply

Portfolio: Mark Wilson

Newsletter

Contribute