The Making of Sipping Jetstreams

For as long as I can remember I have always loved watching surf videos and browsing through surf magazines. Before I ever even stood up on a surfboard I was obsessed with the act and imagery of surfing. Surf imagery was my mode of transportation. It took me to places about which I could only dream. Videos were my release and magazine images were my inspiration, so when I was given the chance to interview Taylor Steele and Dustin Humphrey about their new collaborative project Sipping Jetstreams I jumped at the opportunity because I was curious to hear from two individuals who have so heavily influenced our culture. Sipping Jetstreams is both a film and book that takes the viewer on a photographic journey of discovery and adventure through exotic locations around the world placing an equal amount of emphasis on the culture and people in the featured locale as the act of surfing. The following interview was conducted with Taylor and Dustin at the premiere of Sipping Jetstreams at the La Paloma theatre in Encinitas.

How long did the project take from start to finish?
Taylor Steele: Overall, it took us three years to complete.
Taylor, in one word describe the Campaign series and then Sipping Jetstreams.
TS: I would have to say that Campaign would be hype, and Sipping Jetstreams would have to be subtle.
Do you agree with people calling Sipping Jetstreams an “art house”-style movie?
TS: It's definitely more artistic than my other style. It is lifestyle based and shows the side of traveling to surf.
Dustin, living in Bali and constantly shooting with top pros and excellent waves, how has Sipping Jetstreams changed your outlook on surf photography?
Dustin Humphrey: I don't know that it has changed my view on surf photography, but rather it has given me the chance to really get out and peruse my most favorite type of surf photography, which is “surf travel photography."
What was the favorite location while shooting?
BOTH: We would have to say Cuba. It was definitely a hard task getting Visas, but once we did, and when we finally got there, we knew it was totally worth it.
What leads you when taking portraits or lifestyle shots?
DH: That’s just a type of photography that really intrigues and interests me. Always has. I really enjoy shooting exotic people and travel.
Since Sipping Jetstreams was a success and throughout the film your influence/style is heavily seen, do you see yourself continuing to work more in the film/video medium?
DH: I’m not sure that it’s my style that is seen in the film. I think that is more of a collaborative effort between myself, Taylor and our two DP's, Todd Heater and Alex Limon. That goes for the book as well. Ideas for shots came from all four of us. Filmmaking has always been something that I have loved and was really into when I was younger. I kind of gave it up in order to concentrate on my photography, but always wanted to come back to it eventually. Sipping Jetstreams gave me that chance. I was able to kind of get my feet wet with it again. I was able to be involved with the film part of the project with out it taking away too much from my photography.
How did the name Sipping Jetstreams come about?
TS: Well, sipping came from thinking of the act of drinking tea. Something that is very subtle, relaxing, and allows one to completely enjoy the moment and absorb their surroundings. You know, just taking in all the culture while being totally relaxed and able to immerse yourself in a lifestyle and place that is new to you.
What is one aspect of surf travel that you could completely do without?
TS: Customs. They always hassle us with our camera gear.
Besides pounds of camera gear, what is something that was always in your bag that you couldn’t leave home without?
DH: My watch has a compass. I couldn't live with out it.
How did you guys decide to come together as a team to create Sipping Jetstreams? Could you envision yourself working with anybody else?
DH: Taylor and I were in Morocco together in early 2004. We realized that we had a lot in common as far as what we wanted to do with our art forms and where we wanted to take it. That's when we started developing the Sipping project. Right now Taylor and I are making plans for our next Sipping Jetstreams project. Taylor is very supportive of me, my vision and as a friend. Maybe if Scorsese called me up I might work with him but until then I think I will stick with Taylor.
TS: Not on this project... Dustin is the best.
What was your favorite aspect of working with each other?
TS: He does a lot of things I hope for from a photographer. He does a lot of pre-planning and prepping. Yet my favorite aspect is that he has the best eye for capturing the moment and feeling of the places we go. He’s also a perfectionist.
DH: I think together we are a great balance. I am pretty high strung and he is super mellow. It has seemed to be a good mix. I like that...
This a huge departure from what people are used to seeing in Taylor Steele movies, with that said, what does this film say about where you came from (Momentum), what point you are at now in your career, and where do you want to go as a filmmaker?
TS: My main goal in making surf movies is to improve from the last one. I want to make different kinds of movies and make them the best I can. It's important to me that people enjoy them. I think I have a lot to learn but hopefully I have come a long way from when I first made Momentum. Also in the past I used to do everything by myself -filming, producing, editing and directing. Currently I work with a team of guys that really add a lot of value to the project on a whole. Thanks Matt Beauchesne and Jeff Motyll!
Traditionally surfers travel to surf, as a means to an end. This project was a departure from that model though. It seems like traveling became it’s own entity, and surfing was just an added bonus. At what point did the experience of travel distinguish itself from the act of surfing for you?  
TS: A while ago I got burnt out following the ASP tour and I took a couple years off from traveling. I missed being on the road. I realized one day that this lifestyle could be gone and that I need to appreciate it more. Filming for Sipping has been an incredible experience. I take my whole family on the road and people think we are crazy, but now we could never go back to a normal life.
How often did you guys get to squeeze in a surf?
TS: Don’t feel bad for us. We get to surf plenty. However, while on location, we weren’t always worrying about waves because we always had other things to focus on.
Before the movie started I heard you talking about the donation of proceeds from this event to the Bantul Project, what is that?
DH: The Bantul Kindergarten Project is a project that is aimed to help rebuild schools in Java that were heavily affected by the earthquake. We are donating all proceeds from the premieres along with the profits from all of the gallery prints that are sold to Bantul Kindergarten Project. The earthquake has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and we felt it was important to help out and do what we can.
Are you by chance looking for a young, funny and hard working assistant?
DH: (laughing) Yeah, I would love that. Unfortunately surf photographers are not able to afford an assistant. At least not this one.
Thank you both very much for your time and I wish you the best of luck with Sipping Jetstreams. It truly is an equally amazing, beautiful film and book.
BOTH: Thank you very much. Have a good night.

To find out more about the Bantul Project and what you can do to help, please visit www.globalgiving.com/pr/1500/proj1474d.html. To find out more about Sipping Jetstreams, go to your local surf shop to buy the film and book or log onto www.sippingjetstreams.com.