I grew up spending a lot of time in Newport, Rhode Island, home of the America’s Cup on twelve occasions between 1930 and 1983. I have great memories of visiting there, and seeing first hand the pride they had on having such a storied nautical heritage. Fast forward to today and these memories come rushing back.

Award winning nautical photographer Onne van der Wal, who is based in Newport, Rhode Island, is one of the most prolific and talented marine photographers in the world of sailing. Once a professional sailor himself, Onne was the bowman and engineer aboard the Dutch maxi-boat Flyer II when the team won all four legs of the 1981-82 Whitbread Round the World Race. Along the way, he took his camera with him everywhere he went, even to the top of the mast and the end of the spinnaker pole.

That love of the sea, and his passion for adventure, show in his work. While he has an artist’s eye for composition and color, Onne is also a perfectionist when it comes to the technical aspects of his craft. As a member of the elite Canon Explorers of Light, a group of the most influential photographers and cinematographers in the world, he is always pushing the equipment and the technology forward, often in very harsh environments.

From expeditions or races, to commercial work for manufacturers and the maritime shipping industry, Onne has carved out a name for himself and positioned himself as one of the best in the genre.

On the education side of things, Onne’s workshops offer a rare experience. His summer “Workshops on the Water” are held aboard a 55’ motor yacht where he teaches a small group of shutter bugs the ins and outs of shooting in, on and around the water. That’s an environment most would be afraid to bring camera gear into, salt spray and an unstable shooting platform are rarely a photographer’s friend, but Onne has systems and gear in place to make even a wet and wild day productive; in fact some of his very best and most revered photos come from the days most other photographers would sooner stay ashore, camera gear tucked safely away. Onne also does an Explore Greenland workshop, along with his One-on-One on the Water workshops. As a sought after speaker, Onne has even done a TEDx presentation for TEDxNewport.

Van der Wal runs his business out of his downtown Newport, RI studio and gallery, where his staff sells stock photography as well as a retail collection of over 340 fine art Limited Edition prints.

Join nautical photographer and Canon Explorer of Light Onne van der Wal and me as we discuss his amazing career photographing out on the ocean, and as we take a closer look behind one of his iconic images, on this episode of Behind the Shot.

Website: vanderwal.com

TEDx Talks on YouTube

usa.canon.com

Carlo Borlenghi: carloborlenghi.com

National Sailing Hall of Fame – Contributor