Meet The Winner - Kane Brown
2019 PHOTO COMP WINNER: Meet the winner of the Rip Curl 'SURF' category - Kane Brown. Residing in the paradise that is the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Kane has been a regular contributor to Surf Visuals over the years. Every time we see his work, we feel like Api after being spat out of a tube at Cloudbreak (refer to his winning image below). We're stoked to have him as one of our 2019 winners, and can't wait to see what's in store for 2020 and beyond.
Dude, Firstly mad props on taking out the most popular category in the 2019 photo comp. Did you have a feeling you’d take the chocolates this year, or was it a complete surprise?
Thank you guys! The amount of inspiring entires in this year’s comp was insane, it was a very nice surprise to win this comp. I shall thank you again! Also to all sponsors, legends!
You’re a regular in entering our photo comp - and after being a finalist in 2018, what made you enter the comp for the second year running?
I was even more hungry for the biscuits this year hahaha. Nah, i think it’s unreal what you guy’s are doing to help us creatives to share what we love to do. I’m just stoked to see Surf Visuals growing and to be apart of it all, I’m sure everyone whose contributed over the years can say the same.
We absolutely love this image (and the rest of your work), the facial expression on the dude made us laugh when we saw this. Can you give us a little bit of background to this shot?
Hahahaha yes! Api’s facial expression is priceless. This photo was shot in Fiji a few days prior to that XXL swell that rolled over CloudBreaks reef. On this particular day it was perfect conditions to shoot from the water, 4-6ft glassy left-handers. I was sitting further down the line towards Shishkabobs. When I saw Api take off from further up the reef locking into easily the longest barrel of the day not knowing he’d come out of this thing, when he exited the tube I was still firing the shutter as he came out, Api happened to have the most stoked facial expression on his face. It would have to be one of my favourite shots from that trip.
What are you shooting with at the moment?
I’ve recently just upgraded to the Nikon d850 and a new Aquatech water housing. But in the past i’ve been using my Nikon d800 with Nikon 70-200mm 2.8 and the Nikon 24-70mm 2.8
Any photog/artist out there that you draw inspiration from?
The likes of Jon Frank and Corey Wilson definitely give me a creative buzz. To be honest I really enjoy flicking through old surf magazines or any creative arts magazine, also draw inspiration from any Taylor Steel and Kai Neville vids.
I know it’s not millions, but what will you be spending your winnings on?
Boring answer but it will be going straight back into the piggy bank after that equipment upgrade hahah.
What’s planned for 2020?
;)
