Editor’s Note: “Spot Snapshot” is a series that highlights an image and explains what you’d never know by simply looking at it. As the cliché goes, “a picture is worth 1000 words.” Here, a featured photographer brings you both.
Coleman called this image “Praying for Swell” and made it a Limited Edition of 100 prints only.
In early 2011, I had one of the best experiences of my surfing life. During a trip with six others to the Solomon Islands, we found paradise. The waves were perfect, and the people were amazing.
A few years earlier, a friend of mine was in Papua New Guinea for business. He found the local kids there were surfing on dug-out tree trunks, and gave them the old board that he was traveling with. Their excitement was infectious, and on his return to Australia, he told me what happened, and wanted to collect more boards to take over on his next trip. I donated my board and put the word out on Saltmotion… and suddenly, we had over 200 boards. Someone even called and told me that their family owned a shipping company, and would donate the logistics to get the boards over to PNG.
While I was in the Solomon Islands, I noticed a similar situation. The locals were ultra keen to surf, but the idea of buying a board was simply not feasible. In fact, the idea of buying much of anything wasn’t possible, as they live an entirely subsistence lifestyle. After the success of the PNG collection, I arranged a similar project for the people of the Solomon Islands. Part of the project requirement was to raise enough money to cover the cost of shipping, and I decided to run a film screening to raise the funds.
Upon hearing about the project, the local minister offered the use of the church for the screening free of charge. This meant that 100% of the money from ticket sales and generously donated raffle prizes could go towards the shipping.
A few weeks prior to the film event, I asked if I could set the donated boards up in the church and take a photograph.I don’t know a lot of ministers, but I do know that Bruce Clarke has to be one of the best. A keen surfer himself, his own custom boards have “The Rev” pencilled along the stringer. He agreed to let me set up a photograph in the church. There was just enough light filtering through the stained glass windows to illuminate them too. I think it’s what makes the image.
Images are available from Coleman’s art gallery, called Saltmotion Gallery in Manly, or online at saltmotion.com. You can follow Joel on Instagram @saltmotion or on facebook.
