Follow The Light Foundation Chooses 5 Finalists For Photography Award Grant

Winner to be announced at the Shorebreak Hotel during the US Open of Surfing in August

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — Follow The Light Foundation (FTFL), a non-profit that continues to fuel the dreams of the world’s most talented young surf photographers, announced its 2010 finalists today after an evening of review and deliberation. This year’s installment of young visionaries include: Ryan Tadao Foley from Hawaii, Matt Lusk from North Carolina, Morgan Maassen from Santa Barbara, Billy Watts from San Diego and Corey Wilson from Santa Barbara. The winner of the $5,000 grant will be announced during the US Open of Surfing at the Shorebreak Hotel in Huntington Beach on August 3. “We’re very excited about the talent level of this year’s finalists,” said legendary photographer and judge Aaron Chang. “And to celebrate their skills around this year’s US Open will make it even more special.”

The FTLF was founded after iconic photographer Larry “Flame” Moore’s passing to ensure that up-and-coming surf photographers continue to get the recognition and support they deserve. Flame — legendary Photo Editor of SURFING Magazine for more than three decades — made it a priority to teach and inspire anyone with a passion for photography. This grant helps keep that legacy alive. Details can be found on the FTLF website. (folllowthelightfoundation.org)

Now in its fifth year, the FTLF awards ceremony is part of the world’s largest action sports festival. The US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach will reach all kinds of people, but there is no better place to showcase the best rising talent in the surf photography world. In years past, FTLF grant winners like Todd Glaser, Chris Burkard and Ray Collins have continued to change the game in what is possible in surf imagery. “The Follow the Light Foundation was a huge boost to my career,” says SURFER staff photographer Todd Glaser. “It not only was a dream come true, but it helped give me the confidence to keep following my vision. I couldn’t be more honored to be part of it all.”

Come August 3, a new artist will get his due recognition. The reception begins at 7:00PM, The Shorebreak Hotel, 500 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648, www.shorebreakhotel.com. A limited amount of VIP tickets can be pre-purchased for $20 each at www.followthelightfoundation.org. The first 200 general admission registrants are free of charge. Please register on a first-come basis for this event on Facebook at our Follow the Light Foundation “Flame Grant” page.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Follow-the-Light-Foundation-Flame-Grant/128942323802095?ref=ts

The Follow The Light Foundation is proudly supported by Hurley, Swell.com, Surfing, Surfline and Oakley.

ABOUT FOLLOW THE LIGHT FOUNDATION:
On October 10, 2005, the surfing community lost one of its most influential figures, Larry “Flame” Moore. After a three-year battle with brain cancer, “Flame,” the Photo Editor of SURFING Magazine for 30 years, passed. He left behind a legacy of brilliant photography and an army of photographers trained by him. Through his work at SURFING, Larry literally shaped the “look” of three decades of surfing. Today, honoring Larry’s request, we have established Follow the Light Foundation (FTFL), an organization that will help finance the dreams of surf photographers, pushing the sport and its lensmen forward. For more information on FTFL, go to www.followthelightfoundation.org.