surf photography
Before you begin shooting, study the light.
As photographers, we should all be fairly obsessed with the study of light and how it interacts with our subject (s). Surf photography frequently includes a lot of light for the photographer to work with, not only the time of the light, but also the direction. Examine how the light is hitting the water before you begin shooting. Examine the way the light is bouncing off the waves and off the surface of the water with a critical eye straight in front of you. Look in each direction, and depending on the time of day and your specific location, you will notice that there may be a LOT of reflection on the water in one direction. In the opposite direction, you will notice far less, if any, reflection. If you want to get good quality photos of someone surfing, shoot from an angle away from the beach, in a direction where there is no reflection. Another important aspect of light is the quality of your water/waves, as well as how the sun shines on or through the water. In surf photography, the water is frequently an incredible part of the image. Know the difference between back light and front light. Morning light and evening light, and also moonlight. Experiment and try new things with surf photography, and find out what works and looks best to you.
Surf photography camera
You'll need a good camera for surf photography,, if you want to capture good surf photography. I use the Canon R5 for surf photography. This model is used by many surf photographers to capture they're surf photography. Its super fast, and also high resolution. I primarily use the Canon 70-200mm lens, as well as the 24mm and 50mm prime lenses.
Fast shutter speed
In order to photograph surf in general, use a fast shutter speed for surf photography, even increasing my ISO if I need more light, unless you want to experiment that is, in which case you can always slow it down and see what you get. Surfing is a very dynamic and fast-paced sport. I strongly advise shooting in manual mode so that you have complete control over what your camera captures. The most powerful images are those that truly halt the action. Water spray from a surfboard or a surfer's facial expression will be much more impressive if they are tack sharp. Of course, there are exceptions to any 'absolute' statement. However, unless you are intentionally attempting to achieve a blurred effect for motion, or unless you have another artistic intention driving a slower shutter speed (which I do - see some of the images in the ‘Water’ collection, I would recommend attempting to stay at 1/640 or higher, but be as fast as you can. The clarity of the water spray, as well as the tack sharp image of someone surfing, will make for exceptional photos.
Tripod
When you need stable images for surf photography, a tripod is essential. Even though a tripod isn't something that a surf photographer will use very often, it's still an important part of the photographer arsenal that we always mention in our articles. Both Gitzo and Pro-Master are excellent choices.
Use a long lens
It makes a huge difference to have the right tool for the job. In this particular case, a lens with a focal length of at least 200mm or even 300 mm or 400 mm will make a HUGE difference. I shoot with the Canon R5. I have an interest in both surf photography and wildlife/bird photography, so the 70-200mm works great, I also use water housings, helicopters, 24mm wide angle prime and sometimes a 50mm prime, try everything and find out what works for you and go have fun.
Camera Bag
A camera bag is frequently included on the generic list of surf photography equipment items to purchase before going out on a shoot. However, this is due to the fact that it is quite significant. I use the Wotoncraft camera bag, which is an excellent choice that is also very durable.
Surf photography aperture
When shooting surf photography on the beach, there is usually a Huge amount of light. When photographing a surfer, the goal is usually to capture a super-sharp, detailed image. It's a good idea to do some research and figure out where your lens will give you the best sharpness. The better your lens, the less of an effect this will have, but it's always a good idea to aim for a mid-range aperture setting if the lighting situation allows. The advantage of a mid-range aperture is that you will have more depth of field flexibility. If you shoot with the aperture wide open, the depth of field will be very narrow, and the surfer will easily slip out of focus.
ISO
For most surf photographers, this statement is ALWAYS true. The lower your ISO, the less noise there will be in your image. Because beach/surf photography usually has a lot of available light, you should be able to keep your ISO at the very low side. The canon R5 can handle some ISO though, I regularly get it up to 640 ISO without a noise issues, which gives some extra speed. Just look close in post, zoom in and check it out and also run a large test print.!.. If it looks good.. IT’S GOOD!
Laptop and Phone
Laptop and Phone We understand that you probably won't be bringing your laptop on a shoot when you're trying to capture a few surf photos, but a laptop and a phone are still important pieces of equipment to have! What do you think the post-processing game will be like without them? They are well-deserving of a spot on this list. The Canon R5 has built-in WiFi, so you can send images directly to your phone or laptop.
Maintain a level horizon
Be aware of the horizontal line in the frame of your image if you are shooting in a direction that will result in the horizon line being in your shot. Photographers sometimes like to play with that line in order to create a "funky" or "artistic" perspective of things. A non-level horizon line should be a deliberate choice that is rarely used. It will generally appear 'odd' to have the horizon off-kilter. There will be exceptions, as with any "rule" or "suggestion" dealing with the subjective opinion of art. But, at the very least, be aware of the horizon and respectful of the powerful aesthetic impact (for better or worse) that occurs when the horizon line is not level. You can always straighten things up in Adobe Lightroom too with a few quick clicks, but to get the most quality and least cropping, try and get as straight as possible in camera.
Choose a great location
Surfing and surfing photography vary greatly depending on where you take photos around the world. If you are photographing the 'trash waves' on the east coast of the United States, you are in a very different setting than if you are on the North Shore of Hawaii with the enormous epic waves. Each location offers incredible opportunities for creativity and excellence, but some locations may require a bit more creativity and technical mastery to create a truly captivating surf image than others. Serious surf photographers, like serious surfers, will become serious travelers.
always Shooting RAW
I recommend shooting in RAW+Jpeg mode so that when you transfer the file to your phone, it is of sufficient quality to edit with mobile apps and share on Instagram/social media. Photographers who want to print their surf photos frequently use a Mac and Adobe Lightroom. I'm used to using Lightroom, and it's a great tool for adjusting photos and ensuring you can back them up and find them when you need them.
narrate a narrative
Any outstanding photograph's most captivating feature is the narrative it conveys. This might be a tale of wild tropical waves or a masterfully executed high-stakes stunt. However, the most authentic moments of narrative can often be found in the most unforced, unscripted, and unassisted states of being. It's possible that the most meaningful gift that surf photography has to offer is capturing photographs of people having a good time, at peace with their surroundings, and reveling in an activity that they actually like. Trust yourself though, art is subjective and trust what you like and put it out there!
It's time to go out and shoot
Every artistic endeavor is punctuated by sporadic bursts of knowledge acquisition. As a beginner, it is quite easy to become an amateur. To become a truly inspiring surfer, one must devote a great deal of time and effort to their craft. The more you learn about surf photography, the more you'll appreciate the sport, its history, and the camaraderie among those who participate in it. A true "Zen" can be found while surfing and also while out there practicing surf photography, and capturing those fleeting moments that appear to defy gravity.
All images photographed by Lukas Griffin.
