SURF PHOTOGRAPHER AND FOUNDER OF BEACH BLOG-TURNED-GALLERY AQUABUMPS, EUGENE TAN, CHATS TO HB ABOUT HIS PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLABORATION WITH WA WINEMAKERS CAPE MENTELLE TO MARK THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY
How do you hope people respond to your photos?
Eugene: “My images are always intended to take you to the beach, where you can feel the sun on your skin, the salt and the ocean; the simple things we all cherish about summer. I want people to feel happy.”
You were born in Western Australia. What does photographing Margaret River for Cape Mentelle mean to you?
“I spent a lot of my younger years around Margaret River. I learnt to surf there; it’s such a special part of Australia I have a deep connection to. Cape Mentelle was always the top winery down there, so it was an honour to work with them on this project.”
How does Margaret River differ to your local Bondi scene?
“Margaret River is so raw. The beaches are pristine, and you barely see people on the shoreline. The waves are incredible and usually much bigger than Bondi. There’s so much more power – which I love.”
What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken for a photograph?
“The chopper stalled when I was hanging out of it shooting over Capri in Italy a few years ago – I’ve been shooting aerials for 12 years and that’s never happened. The pilot couldn’t really speak English either, so I had no idea what was going on. I’ve never been so happy to be back on ground [than] after that aerial shoot.”
What are three elements you look for when capturing an image?
“Light, unique subject matter and unique camera angles.”
The perfect wine to indulge in when relaxing by the ocean?
“I recently tried the Cape Mentelle Rose – it was terrific. I’d love a glass, at sunset, at Margaret’s main break.”