The Sydney beachside suburb of Cronulla has long been a rich source of interesting photos for sports and news photographer Craig Golding.
Cronulla is a beachside suburb in the Sutherland Shire, 30km south of Sydney. It’s been my home for over 30 years and a vital part of my life. I associate it with the best of times – as a kid heading to the beach with my parents, brother and sister, then living in the suburb firstly with friends, then my own family.
I joined The Sydney Morning Herald in 1985 photographing news and sport in Australia and overseas, but in 2008 I left The Herald to pursue a freelance career. I spend a lot of time wandering Cronulla with my camera, observing and looking to capture interesting and artistic images in the life of my suburb. I never set out to create a historical record, although inevitably that’s what it will become as developers continually change the face of the suburb, as fashions change, and today’s cars begin to look like antiques further down the line.
Crowds gather to watch after a trawler ran aground on Cronulla Point, 20 February 2013. Canon EOS 5D Mk III, 24mm lens, 1/3200s @ f/5.6, ISO 640. Photo by Craig Golding.
When I was a young child, massive sand dunes towered over the stretch of beach from Wanda to Boat Harbour. Now the dunes are rapidly disappearing, depleted by sand mining and new housing developments, exposing the Kurnell oil refinery as the beach’s more prominent backdrop.
Cronulla is indeed diverse as far as photographic subject matter is concerned. It has everything that most suburbs have with the added advantage of beach life, so opportunities both in and out of the water are abundant. I wander the streets, mall, parks and beach looking at and photographing daily life as well as keeping an eye on the weather, which brings its own opportunities. Every now and then something newsworthy happens such as when a trawler ran aground on Cronulla point last year (pictured above) and became a new landmark until it was successfully refloated.
Swimmers off Cronulla Beach, 28 December 2013. Canon EOS 5D Mk III, 70-200mm lens with 1.4x @ 205mm, 0.6s @ f/45, ISO 100. Photo by Craig Golding.
If it’s a sunny day I prefer to shoot in the early morning and afternoon when the quality and angle of light is at its best. On overcast days the time isn’t as critical. Shooting on the beach is a little trickier, as someone with a camera immediately flicks a 'suspicion' switch in a lot of people’s heads. I will usually chat with the lifeguards and let them know what I am up to and always have some business cards on hand. I spend about 80% of my time talking to people and only 20% taking pictures. This tends to relax most people and allay any concerns they may have that you’re up to no good.
Craig Golding has won numerous accolades, including six World Press Photo Awards. His book Surf Club was named runner up in the Best Book Award in the Pictures of the Year International. He continues to shoot editorial work including sport, news, events, PR and feature work.
More info: www.craiggoldingphotos.com
Jetski riders perform backflips in the semifinals of the 2011 ‘Rip ’n Ride’ jetski competition at Wanda Beach, Cronulla. Canon EOS 1D Mk IV, 400mm lens with 1.4x @ 560mm, 1/2000s @ f/4, ISO 320. Photo by Craig Golding.