Scott Ruzzene’s powerful photography, in which waves crest and foam and mountains wear skirts of pillowy snow, demonstrates both his passion for nature and his talent.
Growing up on the South Coast of NSW, Scott spent much of his youth outside, chasing ocean swells up and down the coast and exploring the Snowy Mountains. And the raw, visceral quality of his photographs is a testament to his deep respect for the natural world.
“From swimming with humpback whales in the South Pacific and green sea turtles on the Great Barrier Reef, to free diving with Galapagos sharks on the North Shore of Hawaii, I have had the opportunity to photograph many incredible marine creatures in their natural habitats.”
The lure of the mountains and the chance to shoot winter landscapes is similarly important to Scott, powdery soft snowfall blanketing the gnarled Australian landscape another source of deep inspiration.
Scott sees his very personal documentation of a natural world he is passionate about as a way to inform others, to share a world that few get to experience, explaining:
“I hope that my work will highlight the amazing things nature is responsible for and inspire more people to take pride in the land they live on, as well as taking care of the broader environment around us.”
Detailed, powerful and innately inquisitive, the photographic images Scott captures begin with an idea of something he wants to create. Then, it’s a matter of understanding the conditions required to capture the shot; waiting for a forecast that aligns, perhaps, establishing the best position to be in, or just waiting for ‘that moment’. Sometimes, too, it is completely accidental.
A wave as it curls over onto itself, pale yellow late afternoon sun smudging through; the milky froth that ruffles the surface of stormy surf; a skier’s icy ‘wake’ as they carve a path down a virgin slope – these moments in time capture the sheer majesty of nature, and they are a incredible focal point for any room.
Awards
2017 International Photo Awards: 3rd place Winter Sports category
2019 Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers: placed top 10
2020 Epson International Pano Awards: Bronze
2020 Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers: 2 x Highly Commended; top 10
2021 Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers: 2 x Highly Commended
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