The surfing community was just recovering from the loss of Ecuadorian surfing icon Israel Barona when another tragedy struck. This time, the world lost a legendary surfing photographer who dedicated his life to his art and breezed away 60 years of his life doing it.

Mike Moir was one of the greatest surfing photographers who literally saw eras turning, and turned an era himself. The 77-year-old artist was fully committed to capturing the spectacles from the waves in his camera till the very end. In fact, Moir posted his latest photograph on Instagram on 13 November, just four days ago.

The photographer whose influence changed surfing in Southern California

Mike Moir grew up with a love for surfing and enjoyed every moment of it during the 1950s and ?60s. The surfing enthusiast found a camera to tinker with in the 1970s, and looked for inspiration where his mind always drifted: the waves and the surfboards.?

Moir was one of the first photographers to both beautifully capture as well as document Southern California?s inclination away from typical surfing gear. The black wetsuits and long whiteboards were slowly getting replaced with shorter boards and colors that popped, particularly in Newport.?

While this shift was rather slow, Mike Moir?s photographs and his book acted like a catalyst that led to the formation of Echo Beach. His iconic book, ?The Eighties at Echo Beach? converted the growing fad of bright hues into something concrete.?

In fact, Echo Beach is now both a physical location as well as an original cultural phenomenon that later spilled from the confines of Southern California. Mike Moir?s work has been admired by several great surfing giants. Interestingly, legendary US surfer Kelly Slater was one of the persons who grew up admiring Moir?s work from his childhood.

Kelly Slater writes a mini obituary for Mike Moir

Kelly Slater, like many surfing enthusiasts, mourned the loss of the great Mike Moir. Taking to Instagram stories, Kelly Slater shared the influence Mike Moir had in his younger days. Slater wrote, ?As young kids growing up, reading every magazine, Mike became a legendary name in our minds with the likes of Art Brewer, Flame, (and many others).”?

He further added,??Condolences to Mike?s friends and family and a shout-out to all the photos that spring to mind capturing this amazing lifestyle all these years.??While several photographers rely on their high-quality photography gear to achieve their best shots, Mike Moir showed almost zero struggle even while working with analog cameras.

It was a challenge to get accurate, let alone beautiful shots with an analog camera back in his day. Moreover, the cameras still used rolls that were both costly and limited while at the beach. However, Moir?s excellent focus and expert hands picked just the right frame to capture whenever something unfolded before his camera?s lens.

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Despite the effective and permanent replacement of print media his work as a photographer is still popular and well-appreciated. In fact, even the B-roll photographs that didn?t make the cut at his job are truly remarkable. While Mike Moir has departed from this world now, his art and his influence will remain for generations to come.

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