Water: Life giving, life affirming, life sustaining, ephemeral, spontaneous, connected, omni-present, foundational, fundamental…

I’ve spent a large portion of my life staring at the ocean—more precisely, the Pacific Ocean off of the Marin County coast. Certain shapes and images eventually become iconic: the silhouette of the Farallon Islands; the Point Reyes Peninsula; Duxbury Reef at low tide from the cliffs above Agate Beach; the shapes and characteristics of waves over certain oft-visited reefs and beaches depending on tide, sand bar development, wind, and swell factors.

But there are also less obvious images and moments to be appreciated. Perhaps smaller in scale, but happening in countless locations every moment of every second: the way water molecules are connected in foam; the way some waves appear to be molten glass or rolling molasses; the architecture of splashes on Duxbury Reef; the almost psychedelic color array in bubbles. It just takes paying attention and being present, respecting the moment.

These photographs represent my respect for the moment. And for the ocean. And for the elusive ability to simply be present. There’s always something interesting and beautiful going on…

Ethan Okamura was born and raised, and continues to live in the small beach town of Bolinas, California. His father, Arthur Okamura, was a successful artist, and his mother was a very talented classical pianist. It was this influence that has guided and continues to drive his artistic endeavors. Ethan graduated from U.C. Santa Barbara with a major in Music.