The naturally surreal aesthetic of Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher make the landscape seem like the backdrop of a Tolkien novel. The emerald colored water and the dramatic cliffs that jut 700 ft above the sea are a blatant reminder that, photogenically speaking, not all surf spots were created equal. With a near-perfect reef slab at the foot of the cliffs that’s capable of holding XL sizes, Aileens is a break that not only adds to the fantasy vibes of the locale, but makes it a sought after destination for photographers and big wave surfers alike.<br /><br />In this episode of “Behind the Photo,” SURFER staff photographer Ryan “Chachi” Craig explains how he captured both the Cliffs of Moher and Aileens in all their glory in a single image. Streaking across the slab near the bottom righthand corner of the photo is an ant-sized Greg Long, dwarfed by the sheer height of the cliffs and the monster wave.
