The world of surfing is a strange one, all the more so when viewed from above. In the “Aerial” category of The Inertia Film & Photo Challenge 2021 presented by White Claw, we asked photographers to change our perspective and they delivered. We were blown away by both the volume and quality of photos submitted. We’re stoked to dish out some cash to a handful of highly talented human beings who have taken to the skies to share this alternate perspective of surf and the outdoors with us.
With nearly 1,000 submissions (916 total, to be exact) featuring picture-perfect barrels and overhead views of the ocean, we were floored by your creativity and talent. Narrowing the field down to a final eight was an imperfect, subjective, and painstaking process; Certainly, there were submissions that a different set of eyes might have viewed as winners; so we humbly submit this batch of finalists acknowledging the task of determining a winner is a fool’s errand. But we committed to it, so we’re seeing it through and excited to dish out $1,000 cash to the winning photographer. We will announce the winners on March 15, 2021.
Without further ado, here are eight finalists in the Aerial category in The Inertia’s Film & Photo Challenge 2021 presented by White Claw.
Congratulations to all who participated, and best of luck to the finalists.
Finalists (in no particular order)
1. Tahiti by Nick Gruen @mr_gru
2. Sunset Sensations by LJ Urie @ljuriephotography
3. South Florida by Rich W @singlefinphoto
4. Tavarua by Sean Evans @waterworkmedia
5. Blue Bowls by Scott C @scottys_world
6. SUPs From Above by Matze Ried @matze.ried
7. Under Disco Lights by Blaise Booth @blaisey_shootz
8.Super Saturday Swell by Nick Gruen @mr_gru
Editor’s Note: Finalists have been selected by The Inertia editorial team. Winners will be selected by averaging the scores of three judging groups: The Inertia editorial team, a jury of esteemed photographers and cinematographers, and public vote via Instagram.
