The Passion of Water Photography: Maiko Mou

Talented people inspire me… and to be honest, I probably feel a little bit of envy as well, because talented people have this special gift that allows them to do great things. Beautiful things. Some would argue that talent is overrated and that only (hard) work  can make a difference on what you do and how you do it. But that’s not the point.

I know there are talented people all around the world, everywhere! Even the kid next door could be one of those lucky few… And the more I look around me, the more I realize that Tahiti’s got her own share of raw talents. So this week, I want to introduce you to a man who is considered one of Tahiti’s best water photographers, mister Maiko Mou.

I want to know everything: how did you fall in love with photography?

Well, like pretty much everybody I’ve been taking photos since I was 2 years old… uhh, no, wait, I was a bit older than that: I think I was 25 actually (smile). It all started when I first came across those photoblogs on the internet ; I discovered the work of British photo blogger David J. Nightingale (http://www.chromasia.com), and just loved it.

The idea behind of all those blogs was to provide a lot of information about the type of gear that were used, the settings and everything. I wanted to share all of this myself and bought my first digital SLR camera in 2005.

What about water photography?

We live in Tahiti and water is all around us – literally. So becoming a surf photographer was just… obvious.  Plus I was raised in Papara, not far from the famous Taharuu beach break (located on the South West side of Tahiti), where Tahitian icons Raimana Van Bastolaer, Manoa Drollet, Hira Teriinatoofa and WCT battler Michel Bourez grew up surfing.

How do you feel when you’re in the water? What do you think about?

I feel calm. Waking up early before sunrise or going in the water at sunset time is soothing, especially in our warm waters. But I have to admit that when I go and shoot new breaks, I’m a bit anxious – the fear of the unknown I guess. But this feeling never lasts for very long.

What do I think about? Getting good shots! But just being in the water waiting for a set also allows to stop thinking, you know… to get rid of everyday’s stress. I believe that discovering the water world in this way can make us progress in other areas of our life.

How would you describe your work?

Well, my latest photos look pretty good to me (smile)… and different from what has been done so far, here in Tahiti. I know it looks a lot like Clark Little’s or David Pu’u’s work, but it’s a big world, with many different waves and landscapes. Plus each photographer has their own their own way of capturing images, you know. That’s what makes our photos different.

And you’ve already been published in a few surf mags!

That’s right, Transworld, Surfing, and several bodyboard magazines have published my work. But right know I want to focus more on showing my work in art galleries, here and abroad. I also put as many photos as possible on my website, so that they can be within everybody’s reach. I also have a few audiovisual projects, but shhhh…. not telling anything about them right now.

What is the best thing about what you do?

Being alone in the middle of nowhere, capturing magic and ephemeral moments, enjoying the waves’ sweetness, just feeling the Hau Maru (sweet atmosphere in Tahitian).

The worst?

Getting caught inside and ending up on the reef.

I looooove scary stories: got one in mind????

I had just broken up with my girlfriend when I decided to go shooting those big waves that break way out to sea (called Maotis) in Papara, with local surfer Hira Teriinatoofa. It was probably 15 ft, the river was in spate and the muddy waters had come all the way to the break where we were shooting. This huge wave came, and I had no choice but to drop my camera and swim as deep as I could to avoid getting worked. I came back to the surface and managed to find my camera … 750 ft away from the impact zone!!! Then on my way back to the peak, some sea creature caught one of my fins and dragged me in the water. That was intense… so intense that it nearly made me forget all about my break up.

What’s the accomplishment you’re most proud of so far?

Taking awesome photos of what is considered Tahiti’s most polluted break: I managed to show Tahiti’s “pretty face”, when there are some things that are just not right… It’s just like those nice postcards you know… they show our islands beauty but hide this reality we are all aware of. So I hope that one day our leaders take a closer look at those photos, realize how amazing this area is, and do what it takes to give it all its purity and beauty back.

If you want to see more of Maiko’s (art)work, go to >> www.haumaru.com

-Vainui

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