Courtesy of Robin Loznak

By Grant Butler, The Oregonian/OregonLive

When Robin Loznak heard about Thursday’s high-surf warnings for the Oregon Coast, the professional photographer from Kellogg decided to head out to Shore Acres State Park near Coos Bay to capture a few shots.

What he got was nothing short of a jaw-dropper. From a vantage point of about 800 feet, he took photos of Joe Keller, 22, of Beaverton, as he climbed to the edge of a cliff, where large waves were crashing all around.

“There were probably 20 photographers out there taking photos of that rock with the waves crashing over it. It’s kind of a classic Oregon Coast shot,” Loznak said Friday afternoon. “And then I saw a guy climb down the cliff face, and after a while he climbed back up.”

At the same time that Loznak was taking his photos, Keller’s friend Alex Miller of Salem was taking similar shots nearby.

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Courtesy of Robin Loznak

“I had envisioned a shot from there for about a year,” said Keller, who is also a professional photographer. “I had seen big waves like that before, and I said one day I want to get a shot out there.”

Keller said that before he ventured out on the cliff, he observed it from a fenced observation area directly above it. After a few minutes, he decided it would be safe.

“It’s actually not that dangerous at all out there because the waves didn’t hit that point at all,” he said. “There was a bit of a spray. It might have been dangerous if you leaned over the edge. I had my foot locked into rocks, so even if I lost my balance it wouldn’t have been an issue. I stood out there maybe three or four minutes.”

Keller said he then went to where Miller and Loznak had been taking photos. After looking at Miller’s shots, Keller said he decided to go out a second time.

“I saw the pictures and decided it would be better from the edge,” he said.

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Courtesy of Robin Loznak

Someone suggested it would look better if he was wearing a brighter jacket, so he said he borrowed a red coat from a stranger before going out on the cliff. This time, he went to the edge, and says he only stayed for about a minute.

Loznak said that because he used a telephoto lens that condensed distances, it appears that the massive waves were coming close to where Keller was standing. But they were actually further in the distance.

But Loznak said he’s not sure it was as safe as Keller contends.

“After he left, I did see some waves hit that rock,” Loznak said. “They might not have knocked him off, but it sure would have gotten him wet. It sure looked dangerous.”

The issue of safety is of particular concern, given that a man was swept out to sea that same day in Depoe Bay. Oregon Police say they presume that man is dead.

Keller said that he didn’t climb over any fences or protective barriers to get to the cliff, and that he didn’t see any warning signs posted.

“It was exhilarating, and it was fun,” Keller said. “I’ve done quite a few shots like this. I love adrenaline. It’s exciting.”

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High surf warning in Oregon The man in photos climbed around a barrier to get into position so his friends could snap photos for Instagram Posted by Robin Loznak on Thursday, January 18, 2018

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Loznak said he overheard Keller say that the photos were being taken for use on social media, but Keller said Miller’s shots weren’t taken for Instagram, but would be used for a photo project he’s working on, and perhaps a calendar.

“I’ve been building up my portfolio, and I wanted to get a photo from Shore Acres,” he said. “I’m pursuing my creative vision. This is a shot I had envisioned, and I executed it.”

Loznak got his own social media bump from his images. After posting three shots to Facebook late Thursday, they’ve been shared more than 3,000 times.

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-- Grant Butler

gbutler@oregonian.com

503-221-8566; @grantbutler