In order to capture the images showcased in a new exhibit of photographs at T Galleria by DFS Hawaii, local photographer Zak Noyle spent eight hours in the ocean at Waimea Bay.

And it wasn’t just another typical day in the bay; Noyle was in the water Feb. 25 as the official photographer for the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau, a surfing competition that was held for only the 9th time since 1985. The contest takes place only when waves are expected to be consistently clean and with faces of 40 feet high during daylight for at least six to eight hours. Noyle was also the only photographer allowed in Waimea Bay to shoot the contest the last time it ran in 2009.

Some of Noyle’s favorite photos from that day in February are on display in Waikiki through August, with prints available for sale and the proceeds donated to the Eddie Aikau Foundation to help perpetuate Aikau’s legacy. Noyle and some of the surfers who were in the water that day — including Eddie’s younger brother, Clyde — attended an opening reception May 7 to sign autographs and meet fans.

In addition to the photos, the Waikiki exhibit features equipment Noyle used in the ocean that day, including a Canon 70D camera and 24-105 lens, an SPL water housing and custom fins. Koa Rothman provided the surfboard he used as the contest’s youngest participant, and one of the inflatable ocean safety vests that debuted this year is on display as well.

Along with shooting the Eddie, the 30-year-old Noyle also works for Surfer Magazine as a staff photographer and was one of 162 people selected to take part in a recent Apple iPhone advertising campaign, which plastered spectacular pictures he shot at Makapuu and Queen’s beaches on super-sized billboards around the world.

Noyle spoke with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser this month before jetting off to Nicaragua to photograph more surfing action.

Question: How often are you in Hawaii these days?

Answer: At least two to three weeks every month. I’m constantly on the go for the rest of the summer. It’s a lot of fun.

Q: How does this exhibit compare to others you’ve done?

A: It was such a historic and crazy day. To have it in a viewing place where it is now, it’s on the world stage. To be the one who was in the water shooting it all day, it was such a special thing for me.

Q: Did you know you were going to be in the water for eight hours straight?

A: Yes and no. I didn’t know what was going to happen. I knew I didn’t want to get out of the water. The fact that it hasn’t happened in seven years, why would I want to miss one wave? You could potentially miss the best wave of the entire day. Why even tempt that?

Q: How did you prepare yourself for this year’s Eddie?

A: I had a big three weeks before that. I was in Micronesia (and) ended up going to Japan to snowboard. Every day I’d be monitoring it constantly, but I only ended up staying three days. I got back (to Hawaii) the night before. I was pretty exhausted. The whole day before, I just hydrated heavily. I just knew it was going to be a long day.

Q: What did it mean to you being the only photographer in the water that day?

A: I don’t think I got the jitters. It’s Waimea Bay. I was diving under waves that had 60-foot faces. No matter what, it’s scary. It was just incredible I was able to do it again. It’s more about what it all stands for. To me, that’s what makes it more chicken-skin.

In the morning everyone was real focused. And then in the afternoon everyone had loosened up. The whole vibe changed. Everyone was there to honor Eddie more than anything.

Q: How has the photo landscape changed since you started taking pictures?

A: With more and more people wanting to do surf photography, it’s made me push in a direction of expanding it and getting more creative. I’m going to new places I’ve never been, so I’m super excited. There’s always new possibilities to go and create.

Read Jason Genegabus’ blog inthemix.staradvertiserblogs.com for more of his interview with Zak Noyle. Contact him via email at jason@staradvertiser.com.