HUKAI — The conditions weren't bad at Pipeline on Tuesday.

Consistent 4-foot sets, hollow waves, hardly the usual crowd.

Brian Bielmann stood on the beach, camera in hand, and smiled.

"The thrill of being out there and getting the photos is like nothing I can explain," said Bielmann, a veteran surf photographer who's lived on the North Shore since 1975. "That's why I'm 49 years old and I can't give it up."

Bielmann is the sole Hawai'i photographer to be featured in the Red Bull Illume Image Quest 2006, which goes on exhibit this week in Aspen, Colo.

Three of his photos — one portrait, one underwater image and one surf shot — have been selected for the international action and adventure sports photography competition.

Though his chances of winning are good, Bielmann doesn't care about taking home the Image of the Year title or the $10,000 grand prize.

(Though the all-expenses-paid trip to shoot an athlete of his choice anywhere in the world would be nice.)

"Winning would be the icing on the cake," he said.

For Bielmann, photography is more than just a career. It's a lifestyle.

And despite the gashes, the knocks, the near-death encounters, he couldn't imagine doing anything else.

"Sometimes I feel kinda guilty because I feel like all I'm doing for the planet is making pretty pictures," Bielmann said, standing on the beach at 'Ehukai with his son, Jesse. "But in reality, I just love making pretty pictures. I can't help it."

GRAB YOUR CAMERA

See professional surf photographers — oh, yeah, and pro surfers — in action at the Monster Energy Pipeline Pro on the North Shore this month.

The event, the first professionally rated big-wave surfing contest of 2007, will draw more than 160 competitors from 11 countries all vying for a share of the $75,000 prize purse.

Here's what you need to know to be a professional spectator — or budding surf photographer:

When to go: The holding period runs from Saturday through Feb. 9. Competition will take place on the four biggest and best days of waves within that time frame. For daily updates call 596-7873 (596-SURF).

What to bring: A camera and binoculars. The break is close to shore — one reason why photographers love this spot — so snapping shots from the shore shouldn't be a problem. But bring a long lens, if you can, and something to sit on. It might be a long day.

Who to look for: This event draws major surfing superstars, including defending champ Rob Machado and local big-wave rider Shane Dorian. Also scheduled to compete are Jamie O'Brien, Makuakai Rothman, Pancho Sullivan, Ian Walsh, Jamie Sterling and Derek Ho.

Where to be: Parking is a challenge at 'Ehukai Beach Park, so get there early. Expect the beach to be packed with spectators and photographers.

What else can you shoot: As part of this year's event, there will be an official blessing and welcome ceremony at 3 p.m. Friday at 'Ehukai Beach Park. Competitors and officials will take part in the ceremony, which is open to the public.

BRIAN BIELMANN

Age: 49

Occupation: Professional photographer and senior staff photographer for Transworld Surf magazine.

Resides: Sunset Beach with his wife, Shawna, and their children: Jesse, 13; Teá, 7; and Tai, 6.

Big news: Selected as a finalist at the Red Bull Illume Image Quest 2006 competition. Three of his photos will be on display this week in Aspen, Colo.

HIS FIRST SURF SESSION ON THE NORTH SHORE

In 1975, Bielmann, 17 and with $200 in his pocket, packed his belongings and moved to Hawai'i from Virginia.

As soon as he got to the North Shore — his older brother, Gregg, was already living here — he ran across Kamehameha Highway and paddled out to Log Cabins.

"It was pretty terrifying, actually," he said, laughing. "But honestly, from that moment on, I wasn't going home."

HOW HE GOT STARTED

Bielmann had dabbled in photography, but nothing serious.

He had taken odd jobs on the North Shore — selling shoes, working as a janitor, doing construction — just to keep surfing.

"Then I turned 21 and it dawned on me that I had to become something for a living," Bielmann said. "I couldn't keep working odd jobs."

The following year he bought a camera — a Canon FTb, manual-focus — and started taking pictures of the ocean, the beach, the surf.

He started sending his photos to Surfing magazine. After several rejections, his first photo — a shot of an overweight woman on the beach in the foreground and a surfer in the background at Pupukea Beach Park — was published. The magazine paid him $25.

"For two weeks straight I set up that magazine around the house and looked at it from every angle possible," Bielmann said. "It was exciting."

TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING

In 1981, Bielmann decided to make photography his full-time career.

He lived in Los Angeles for half the year, working as an assistant to photographers. He learned about fashion and product photography, which helped him become a more versatile photographer.

"Honestly, people don't understand that there really isn't a lot of money in (this job)," said Bielmann, who recently started a wedding photography business to supplement his income. "I've done it for a long time, and I have a lot of connections ... But for the young guys starting out, it's hard."

DANGERS OF THE JOB

He's been hit on the head, knocked around and gotten stitches.

But what Bielmann is most worried about isn't getting injured while in the surf photographing waves.

It's drowning.

"More times than I'd like to remember I've gotten held under to the point where I came up almost unconscious," Bielmann said. "You're thinking about being at the record store, playing with your family ... It's funny the things that go through your head."

He remembers hearing about the drowning of fellow surf photographer and noted waterman Jon Mozo at Pipeline two years ago.

"People have died over the years, but I can't remember a photographer ever dying. It was devastating," Bielmann said. "And we knew it was always possible, but you know, until it happens, you think you're invincible."

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.