You might not recognize his name now, but his photos are causing a lot of positive noise in the surfing community. With his stunning images and perfect timing, Michael Farkas is quickly making a name for himself on the surfing scene, and he’s ready to take it by storm one wave at a time. Between his recent trips to Nicaragua and shooting up and down the California Coast, Michael took a few moments to speak with me and share what makes him tick and his photos so great.
Where are you from?
I grew up in Tiburon, California. When I was younger I had a strong desire to travel the California Coast. I always loved the ocean. Growing up on the San Francisco Bay gave me a taste of the ocean without what really intrigued me, which was open-ocean swell.
When did you find out that photography is your passion?
I have been taking photographs for 15+ years, starting with SLRs and darkroom development. I love the nostalgia that goes along with film format photography, like the smell of the developing chemicals and the feel of the rubber tongs on the photo paper as you move it back and forth on the bottom of the tray. My grandfather was a professional photographer and I always enjoyed when he would teach me how the knobs and dials worked on his old Canon SLR.
I truly knew it was my passion when I realized I enjoyed taking pictures of waves, the ocean, people surfing, and the moments around me without wanting to surf. On numerous occasions, I have been told by someone that they were a surf photographer, but they don’t do it anymore because it hurts them too much to just sit back and watch people getting perfect waves while they are stuck in the hot sun, trying to catch a signal so they can listen to their internet music playlist.
What do you shoot with?
I shoot with a Canon 7d and 5d mark ii, SPL Waterhousing, Isurus Wetsuit.
Who have been some of the individuals that have inspired you to pick up the camera?
It wasn’t so much that someone inspired me, more like I was tired of seeing the same images of the same places and I love to mind surf. I really wanted to make people froth on a perfect barrel setup somewhere they didn’t know existed. It has been proven that when a person fantasizes, they use the same part of their brain that helps to interpret present situations. So I guess I want to give therapy to all the hardworking professionals out there who fantasize about surfing all day long while they sit under their florescent lights entering data into a computer. They are the people who thanklessly make the world function. I know it sounds cliché, but I think those are the people who inspire me.
What time do you usually hit the beach?
It depends on the weather and swell. If there is a good clean swell with offshore wind, morning and evening are my favorite. Mornings in California are the best for subject lighting and shooting surfers. Evenings make the waves glow, and an epic sunset with perfect waves makes anyone melt. If it’s not good, clean swell, I will just find a spot to surf and get all of it out before the next perfect swell comes. I do have moments where it’s too good to take pictures the whole time, so I usually shoot before I surf.
Tell me about your recent trip to Nicaragua.
It was an early season trip in March and I wasn’t expecting much for swell since it really only gets good in the summer. I wanted to surf a bunch, but I was there mostly to take pictures. As I was reading the weather charts before I left for my trip, I saw a pretty large system directed straight toward Nicaragua. No hype on any of the forecasting sites, which resulted in uncrowded, offshore, perfect setups for 4 to 5 days. I love that country! Beautiful culture and epic waves.
You spend a lot of time going up and down the Coast of California capturing amazing images. What are some of your favorite spots to shoot in California?
I really love shooting the North LA Coast because of the color of water, dramatic rocky backdrops, and reefs. Ventura area is sick because there are lots of random sandbars around, which makes for unique setups and different backdrops. The Central Coast is definitely one of my favorite to explore because of how undeveloped it is and the different kinds of waves it has to offer.
Do you have any favorite surfers that you enjoy shooting?
I really like shooting Josh Kerr, Torrey Meister, Taylor Knox, Dane Reynolds, and Kilian Garland, among many others. They are never predictable and always keeping my on my toes. I get to watch these surfers perform without the pressure of competition—it’s the best show ever!
Tell me something about you that no one knows?
I have an amazing sense of direction (laughs)…
What is your goal with your photography at this time?
I would really like to work for a company who is interested in my images and wants to send me traveling around the world to chase swell and get them the content they need for their campaigns.
Where will your next travels take you?
Right now I am getting ready to go to Peru in one month. I have been planning this trip for months and not necessarily going for swell or the ocean. I do really enjoy traveling the world and sometimes that means going up into the rainforests of the Andes and visiting lake Titicaca…just saying (laughs).
To see more of Mike’s photography, check him out on Instagram.
