BBC ALBA
Director of Photography
“It’s 4:45 as we roll down the hill from Johse hilltop farm on the outskirts of Ullapool loch. Broom is below us and not a breath of wind disturbs the surface. A blanket of haar (Sea fog ) is at the edge of town, which gives an early but beautiful feeling to the morning. Josh drops me at the newsagent’s. My orders from the captain are rolls and everything that goes inside. I’m the photographer and sandwich boy today on board his Creel boat Boname ( find selling and boat code ). As we motor out the harbour, there is not a drop of water out of place on the loch, and the sun starts to burn through the fog.”
THE RIPPLE EFFECT
At the start of the pandemic, Mike Guest found himself in an unusual setting: home. After 20 years of working as a freelance photographer in outdoor environments all over the world, he had been accustomed to constantly being on the move, surrounded by athletes, clients, collaborators – and distractions.
During this period of personal darkness, and following a conversation with his friend and fellow surfer/photographer Nick Pumphrey, Dawn Days was born. Every morning, Mike was up at 3.30 am, pulling on his wetsuit and walking down to the beach with his camera, where he would swim out and capture the dawn.
The Ripple Effect is a beautifully open and honest reflection from Mike on how this project helped him process his mental health over the pandemic.
Underwater Footage by Mike Guest & Tim Askew
Additional Footage by Rob Waugh
Sound Design by Barry Jackson
Dubbing Mixer & Sound Design by Paul Flitcroft
Music by David Jack
Colour Grading by Troy Edge
MOMENTS INBETWEEN
LONDON SURF FILM FESTIVAL
Cinematography
“I've been transfixed, mesmerised and spellbound by the skin of the ocean, where liquid meets air ever since I first took a camera into the water. "The Moments In Between" is what you make of it.
Each of us has a unique relationship with the ocean. Some fear it, some play with it, it keeps us fit, it soothes our minds, and it's part of the lungs and lifeblood of this planet. It's also one of the largest potential sources of clean energy; the tides ebb and flow each day and they stop for nothing and no one, come rain or shine. It's just so logical to see how we can try and harness this force of nature.
I want to thank the team at Orbital Marine Power for allowing me to cut this piece together from a trip filming the ground-breaking work they are carrying out in tidal energy.
This all came about from Editor Robbie saying how he just kept getting lost in the same small moments just above and below the surface that also captivate me. I reached out to pianist Jennifer Austin and musician David Jack, explaining my rough vision musically and then letting them roll with what felt good.
I always bang on about “Life is not a competition. It's a collaboration." I wanted to highlight what can be done with a small team of talented and passionate humans. Enjoy.”
Cinematography by Mike Guest
Edit by Robbie Dickson
Music by Jennifer Austin & David Jack
Colour Grading by Troy Edge
Footage Courtesy of Orbital Marine Power
ORBITAL MARINE - DAN’S STORY
Water Director of Photography
“This is one of my first shoots back in the water post covid in 2021 with a small team, We travelled to Orkney to film for one week with Dan to capture his life and work in the renewable sector of tidal power. Dan has been a friend for over ten years, making it even more of a joy to be part of a team telling his story. He has a deep love for the ocean, like myself and also for its conservation of and the understanding of how to car harness the energy it holds within it. Orbital Marine Power Ltd is a fascinating company at the forefront of tidal power generation.”