TITLE: Monochrome Yosemite

Photographed on Ilford Delta 400 5mm Film. Photos taken from Yosemite, CA while on a backpacking trip. Photographed are Kolana Rock on the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, A view of Half Dome through the Trees, and a view of El Capitan from below.

AUTHOR: Cyrus Maroofian (United States)

Cyrus Maroofian is a surf and documentary photographer shooting primarily on 35mm film. Under the name @saltyviewfinder, he captures raw, unscripted moments from coastlines around the world, focusing on surf culture, travel, and human connection.

Rooted in the rhythm of the ocean, his photography blends minimalism with storytelling. Whether it’s surfers navigating a peeling point break or a quiet portrait from a rural village, each frame carries an honest, cinematic quality.

In 2024, Cyrus founded Water Access To All (W.A.T.A.), a nonprofit providing clean water to underserved communities using sustainable filter systems. His work with W.A.T.A. has taken him to Guatemala, Vietnam, and Myanmar, where he documents each journey, merging art, activism, and access. His photography helps raise awareness and support for the mission, creating a visual record of impact through a surf-travel lens.

Cyrus’s work lives at the intersection of image-making and purpose, where storytelling isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a tool for connection, education, and change.