My name is Terence Pieters and I am an Ocean Photographer from the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal

 

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When I was younger I spent my days surfing, I loved riding waves, Nothing made me happier. While being in the ocean I found myself noticing exquisite moments that no-one else was paying attention to. Sudden glimpses of magic when the wave would flare up. I wanted to pause those moments so I could stare at them. I didn’t think much of it at the time but it manifested into a huge passion of mine when I found the Art of Photography. Something was happening that felt so natural to me. I found peace, meaning, excitement and pure joy out of it. I wanted to share that feeling with the world.

 

 

Why the name orange rocks? 

 

Orange rocks on the coast is a well know fishing spot and for those that know it, know how beautiful and close up the ocean is there, and that’s where it all started for me taking photos of waves. Because I wasn’t able to take my camera into the ocean back then I would stand on the rocks and capture the immense power of waves crashing from the safety of the land.

 

When I was younger I always torn between surfing and taking photos but surfing the waves would always take priority. Nothing made me happier, but over the years I have injured myself  which has forced me to let surfing take a back seat but I look at it as a blessing in disguise because it made me prioritise capturing the waves instead and now I’m able to do it inside the ocean which is basically being able to do both things I love at the same time.

 

After a couple of years that I've photographed the waves and not surfed them,  I've fallen in love with the ocean all over again. Being able to take photos of the waves inside the sea is a completely different ball game. You have to know the ocean inside out, the currents, the tides, the swell as well as all the surfers and how to navigate them. Not only are you swimming deep in the ocean without a floating device, you're doing it while holding a heavy and an expensive camera, I also have to think about the right exposure settings and the correct composition to use.

 

Some days are easier than others, when the waves are smaller and the sea is calmer, those are the days which I'm able to concentrate a bit more on the technical aspect (I have more time to think about my shot). On the other hand on those big scary days, I am focusing more on my surroundings and the movement of the ocean and I might walk away with only one good photo but I walk away with a great story and experience to share with everyone.

 

The beauty and uniqueness of each wave is endless. Seeing it from land is one thing but being out there up close and personal is absolutely breathtaking and I am so thrilled to be able to share my vision with you. 

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Hope you enjoy.

 

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