The moment before an ocean wave can be metaphorical of life, beauty before the crash. It’s enlightening to see it captured so meticulously by photographer Ray Collins. The eye behind these breathtaking photos, with humble beginnings of taking photos of his surfers friends, found his talent of snapping the waves, and becoming extremely successful at it. Licensing his work to Apple, Patagonia, and winning international campaigns for National Geographic.

The photos below are from Ray’s website, along with a short film entitled “SeaStills,” which Collins describes as a “film about what drives him to create.” Scroll below to see the ocean with a perspective never seen before.

Sea Stills – Ray Collins from Ray Collins on Vimeo.