Bielmann’s friend, Flea, looks into a valley of water after bailing on a massive wave in Hawaii. Photo by Brian Bielmann

Big wave surfing brings out the craziest daredevils in the world. Challenging nature’s biggest breakers with only a fiberglass board and a pair of shorts, these thrill-seekers live to topple some of the planet’s most dangerous whitecaps. And the only thing more amazing then when they conquer a 30-foot wave … is when they fall from one.

For a surfer, a tumble from a three-story tower of water is a frightening event. But for Brian Bielmann, it’s the perfect moment to capture a photograph. Bielmann has spent the last 30 years tailing the world’s best surfers, chronicling their unbelievable wipeouts.

“It’s funny, I get really excited when I shoot a really good wipeout,” Bielmann said. “But then afterwards there is a real moment of guilt when I realise I was more concerned about getting a great image. Usually, the guys are okay and I heave a huge sigh of relief. Afterwards, they love to see the shots of themselves wiping out, the bigger the better.”

Bielmann, who battles the ocean’s strong currents by using a special underwater housing for his camera, says snapping photographs near such massive waves makes you more than just a spectator — you’re now a participant.

“Some of my shots are taken while I’m trying to survive these huge waves myself,” he said. “You have to keep your wits about you at all times, otherwise you can get into serious trouble.”

He added: “My goal is to try to keep taking the viewer to places they have not visited and to see things unlike anything they have seen before.”

To see more of Brian Bielmann’s work, including his magazine covers, portraits, underwater photography and, of course, his wipeouts, check out his website. Also, to get more of a feel for what it’s like to be a surf shutterbug, catch Marc’s interview with surfing photographer Jeff Flindt.