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LeRoy Grannis

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Photographer

The Resume

    (August 12, 1917-February 3, 2011)
    Born in Hermosa Beach, California
    Surfer and photographer
    Photo editor for 'Surfing Illustrated' and 'International Surfing'
    Photos collected in 'Leroy Grannis: Birth of a Culture'
    Inducted into the International Surfing Hall of Fame (1966)
    Called 'the godfather of surf photography'

Why he might be annoying:

    He was nicknamed 'Granny.'
    He did not take up photography until he was in his 40s, when his doctor told him to find a relaxing hobby after he developed an ulcer while working for Pacific Bell.
    He left surf photography in 1971, complaining that the introduction of lighter boards made it easy for younger 'smart alecky' kids to take up the sport.
    He took up hang gliding, until he broke his leg in 1981.

Why he might not be annoying:

    As a teen, he carved his first knee board out of a six-foot slab of pine.
    He was a pilot with the US Army Air Corps during WWII.
    He was married to Katie Laverne Tracy (who he courted with a tandem surf ride) for 69 years until her death.
    He developed a water-proof camera box that attached to the front of a board so he could stay close to the action and avoid returning to shore to change film.
    Despite his status as an amateur photographer, he had a good eye and a knack for composing interesting shots.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 119 Votes: 52.94% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 11 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 7 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 165 Votes: 49.70% Annoying