Surf photographer Ren McGann was just made the winner of the prestigious 2020 Nikon Surf Photo of the Year Award.
Winner of photo of the year
Ren McGann produced an outstanding shot of a dark yet illuminating ocean as it loops over a surfer mid-wave making his way out of the crystal clear, almost turquoise barrel in the background of what seems to be either pitch-black night or an incoming heavy, grey storm. It’s truly a sight to see.
“It is a great honour to have won amongst such talented artists for whom I have the greatest respect,” said Renn McGann. “I’m absolutely stoked to have taken out the title for 2020.”
Winner of video of the year
Andrew Kaineder won best video of the year for his 15 minute video of the beautiful yet dangerous state of the ocean which he calls “Flow State”. Throughout the video, Andrew captures Russel Bierke as he glides through the rough and the smooth of the forever unforgiving ocean.
Andrew Kaineder said, “Russ and I have been working together extensively since 2016, when our first film ‘Bezerke’ was nominated for Nikon Surf Video of the Year. To win this year, with another film that we created together, ‘Flow State’, is a great uplifting achievement in an uncertain time in our lives. We’re lucky in Australia with our surf culture and it’s important we celebrate what we’ve got.”
Stephanie Gilmore, seven-time World Surfing Champion and judge on this year’s panel said that she was “inspired by the calibre of entries which really demonstrated the unique, creative approach to capturing our beautiful ocean. Congratulations to everyone that entered. I hope the viewers agree with our final choice.”
Ren McGann will be awarded with the Nikon Z 6 kit, while Andrew Kaineder will take home the Nikon Z 7. The awards will be presented in late April in an exciting television format that replaces the Surfing Australia Awards Night for 2020.
To see all 20 finalists, click here.
