Jarrod Vero of Mayfield is an operating theatre technician by occupation, but a passionate photographer by hobby.

He's a born and bred Novocastrian, who's been shooting pictures since he was a teenager.

And now, he's a finalist in the National Photographic Portrait Prize, one of 80 selected from among more than 3000 entries. Brydie Piaf, also of Newcastle, is also a finalist in the 2021 prize.

Vero's entry is nothing short of spectacular. Here's Jarrod's version of how the photograph came about.

"The photo was taken on July 16 last year during the east coast low that hit our beaches. The photo came about by being in the right place at the right time through good luck rather than good management.

"I had been at Newcastle beach and Merewether beach most of the day trying to capture the enormous swell and wild conditions, but was a little frustrated, as I like a person or animal in the shots for a sense of scale and to let the viewer imagine what it would be like if it was them in that environment.

"Anyway, I got stuck at Burwood beach and couldn't get back to Merewether via the beach because of the conditions, so I had to walk up the hill and come back down through the residential area of Merewether when I spied a fisherman fully decked out in all the gear heading down the street towards the beach and baths.

"So I thought wherever he goes, I'm going, and when he went out to the pump house at the baths I knew I had a great opportunity to capture something unique and hopefully spectacular.

"As you can see in the photo the weather was extreme - freezing cold, blowing a gale and raining. Fortunately due to weather conditions I was the only photographer around. Taking the photo I was probably 15 meters from the fisherman and I was so focused on nailing the shot I got totally swamped by a few huge waves.

"Fortunately, I got the shot and a whole series of them from different angles that I'm very proud of."

Vero has not been able to make contact with the subject in the photo, and is keen to reach out to him.

Vero's shooting is not a matter of luck, but time and determination.

"I shoot most days and it varies from a few minutes to all day and half the night!," he says. "If I have time, I will stay at the beach or any location for hours just waiting for that special moment.

"I could go hours without taking a photo but then something interesting happens and I just keep shooting until it's not interesting or inspiring any more."

Hunting for a great shot. How do you know when you've got it?

"My criteria for a great shot is that it needs to be unique and emotive." Vero says. "The split second of time captured in that frame needs to hold your attention and connect with the viewer.

"The viewer doesn't know what happened before or after the shutter was pressed, but hopefully the image allows your imagination to tell your own unique story."

Vero's instagram feed (@jav746) features a lot of surf photography, one of his passions. He turns his eye to a few subjects.

"I'm not a surfer, but I absolutely love surf photography as it brings together the amazing beauty of nature, the incredible power of the ocean, and the human element," he says.

"The great thing is that the beach, the ocean, and the surfers are different every day and every wave is different. The light changes, the weather changes, and it's completely natural.

"You as a photographer need to adapt to the conditions and I love that!

"It's also free live sport often at a very high level and you have a front-row pass you get as close as possible or find unique angles.

"With my surf photography I'm trying to capture some of the personality of the surfer or the emotions that they may be feeling or showing. I try to merge this with the movement, power and beauty of the ocean.

"The other genre of photography that I'm passionate about is environmental portraits. It's such a joy and thrill to capture someone doing something that they love and are highly skilled at."

In classic photography tradition, Vero loves to work in black and white.

"I love black and white as it cuts out any distractions and focuses on the subject," he says.

It's hard to argue the point. The proof is in Vero's shooting.

Brydie Piaf's emotional portrait reaches Portrait Prize finals