Surf Photography

tr1cky

tr1cky

tr1cky

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Joined
7 Jun 2010
Posts
447
Location
Wales
Well as a hobby I surf and I also have an interest in surf photography as I have several mates that I can get some crankin shots of! I have a 450D but only with a stock lense and a wide angle.

Anyone on the forums do this type of photography? If so post some of your stuff in here!! Also anyone got a suggestion for a good lense to get me started off? I dont want to spend a lot on it tho as I most likely wont be selling the images.

Post your surf / water sports pictures !!
 
When I lived in California I surfed a little and took my camera. Depending on location obviously they are at different distances. I found 300mm to be ok but wished I had a bit more.
And Since the surfers will tend to move in towards you the ability to zoom is more useful than in many other applications.

I reckon the canon 100-400 is optimal, but a good 70-300 will suffice for less budget. 200mm wont really be enough.


I have only shot surfers a few times at Santa cruz though.
 
I've done a little, will dig some shots out when I'm home. Good shots are hard to come by generally - if you're shooting from shore you need a decent long lens, I liked the Nikon 200-400 and it's popular but anything like a 70-300 will be a good starting point.

Not much help really - I was never particularly good at it...
 
How about a 300 f/4 and a 1.4 TC. Probably a better bet than a 100-400. I know from a few surf competitions I've walked through in Cornwall a lot of people are standing in the water using 500+ primes.

Obviously though if you don't want full frames something like a 70-200 would work.

300 f/4 can be got for £400-450 used
1.4TC ~£190
70-200 f/4 ~£370-400
 
Cheers for the feedback guys, would love to see some of your shots. I think a budget of 400 would be maximum so maybe I could pick up something second hand.

As for the lighting conditions as it is now coming into winter now itll be mostly overcast. There are a few local photographers I could speak to and maybe buy one of there old lenses!

Not keen on the in water photography - it's a bit keen and if im gonna be in the water id prefer to be on a board :P
 
Amp34 said:
How about a 300 f/4 and a 1.4 TC. Probably a better bet than a 100-400. I know from a few surf competitions I've walked through in Cornwall a lot of people are standing in the water using 500+ primes.

Obviously though if you don't want full frames something like a 70-200 would work.
Click to expand...

As mentioned, telephoto zooms are almost uniquely useful here, but a 300 + TC14 would do at a push. I'd rule out the 70-200 though, even on a crop body shooting from some rocks in the water it wasn't really enough at the long end (it's a good one for a second body though if you're taking it seriously!). For fun stuff I think whatever the Canon equivalent of Nikon's brilliant value 70-300 VR is you best bet.

In feature terms, good AF is a must and VR/IS is highly desirable as a tripod won't always be an option...
 
bigredshark said:
As mentioned, telephoto zooms are almost uniquely useful here, but a 300 + TC14 would do at a push. I'd rule out the 70-200 though, even on a crop body shooting from some rocks in the water it wasn't really enough at the long end (it's a good one for a second body though if you're taking it seriously!). For fun stuff I think whatever the Canon equivalent of Nikon's brilliant value 70-300 VR is you best bet.

In feature terms, good AF is a must and VR/IS is highly desirable as a tripod won't always be an option...
Click to expand...

Wow yeah, the 70-300 VR is great value, I will have to look for the canon alternative. £315 new is just what I would be looking for.

Edit: I believe it is the Canon 70-300 IS
 
bigredshark said:
As mentioned, telephoto zooms are almost uniquely useful here, but a 300 + TC14 would do at a push. I'd rule out the 70-200 though, even on a crop body shooting from some rocks in the water it wasn't really enough at the long end (it's a good one for a second body though if you're taking it seriously!). For fun stuff I think whatever the Canon equivalent of Nikon's brilliant value 70-300 VR is you best bet.

In feature terms, good AF is a must and VR/IS is highly desirable as a tripod won't always be an option...
Click to expand...

Just going by what I've seen "pros" using in big competitions, all of which appear to use big primes. :)

70-200 would be a nice focal length for the "surfer in waves/sea" shots as I mentioned, not looking at full frame shots with them in.

OP personally for £400 I'd go for a 300 f/4 used, no IS but then you'll be needing a fast shutter speed anyway (and probably using a tripod/monopod most of the time). It's also a damn sight sharper than the 70-300 at the 300 end and it has a lot faster AF.
 
This is a 4.5MP crop from a 6MP photo taken at 300mm on a D70 (1.5x Crop). The location is a beach about 30 minutes north of Santa Cruz where you can walk out on a rock ledge to get close tot he surfers.

He is looking away as I use the photo for stock, and the composure just sucks as I took about 7 years ago now but it gives you the idea of the kind of reach you need.

4964440195_ecb83f95f2_z.jpg
 
Shots would probably be up to a 100 metres.

Nice shot D.P that would be the kind of thing I would be wanting to shoot!
 
All the best surf photography I've seen are shot IN the water. Reason being that is an angle you don't get to see as a spectator and which ultimately makes it more special.
 
Yes I know that in the water shots are more impressive (sometimes) but that's not what I am interested in. Its a hole new ball game, you have to get full water housing kit, flippers, even thicker wetsuit than I already have as I wont be moving about as much as I would be if I was surfing, and the ability to swim for long enough without a float.

But if anyone has in water shots post em up!!
 
Some I took recently of wakeboarding, though I was in the boat :p
Shot with 18-105mm VR lens, could have done with 200mm though...
DSC_4187.jpg

DSC_4159.jpg

DSC_3991.jpg

DSC_4080.jpg
 
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