Surf Photography

by Ryan Curtis, age 15

Website: www.flickr.com/photos/ryan_c

 

Surf photography is extremly competitive, At a single surf competition there could be up to 100 photographers, all trying to get into magazines, or sell to clients. So you gotta step it up a notch to beat all the rest.

 

Land shooting

Gear:

Telephoto

Tripod/monopod(optional)

 

1. Study the waves, if the waves are going left and the surfers are going left, go left of the surfer.(same with right)

2. Dont be afraid of the water, if you dont have a 1600mm lens dont sweat it just go knee high into the water and theres your mm right there!(but be careful if theres shorebreak!!!)

3. Find a different angle, get low to the ground, climb a lifeguard stand, whatever!(play with exposures, longer exposures can bring awesome photos too.)

4. Donts: dont go on a peir; butt shots are ugly, dont park yourself infron of other photogs. Dont bombard professionals.

5. Talk to everyone, get tips, find people that may want to buy your photos. Surfers love photos.

6. Time of day, sunset and sunrise, are great, but most of the time you want the light hitting the subjects face.

 

Water Shooting

Gear: Water Housing or camera

Standard, fisheye, or wideangle lens, and telephoto if you have the port for them.

fins

helmet(optional)

 

1. Make sure your an excellent swimmer, currents, rip currents, waves, know the waves and how to surf or body board.

2. Know your camera, your settings, your buttons, perfomance, and ability of your camera should be second nature.

3.Study the waves, if the waves are going left and the surfers are going left, go left of the surfer.(same with right)

4. Study the surfers, watch for the good ones, and stay out of the way of bad ones, could injure you badly.

5. Try to get on the line the surfer is on.

6. Surfers will do anything to get the shot, so be prepared for all times for something crazy, airs over your head sprays in your face, being in the same barrel as the surfer etc.

7. Talk to the surfers so they know your there, otherwise you may be a speed bumb in the wave *ouch*

8.  Time of day, sunset and sunrise, are great, but most of the time you want the light hitting the subjects face.

9. Play with exposures, longer exposures can bring awesome photos too.

10. Surfers will want these photos, give them your number, your website, contacts whatever! Thats why I got business cards printed, I just slipped a couple in their boat, car, or bag.

 

 

Most of all have fun doing land or water shooting, you will soon become well known in the line-up!