surf ‘n’ turf page 2

I prefer the tight close-up shots.

 

Depending on the tide and access to the beach/foreshore, a minimum of 400mm focal length is needed, 600mm is ideal and 800mm is best if you can afford it. Hiring for a few days is a viable option. There is no need for a fast, f2.8 lens as there are no distracting backgrounds to worry about, just a wave and the sky. In fact, having a dramatic wave spray in focus along with the surfer and his board can enhance the shot. I recently hired a Canon prime 400mm f5.6L USM lens for use during a week-long international surfing event, the O’Neill Cold Water Classic at Thurso, Caithness.

ABOVE: This is James Gunn’s winning shot from 2010, with a slightly different crop. Page designers rarely crop an image the way the photographer might. The 200 mm focal length gives plenty of room for the leap of the forwards.

Shutter speed needs to be fast, at least 1/1600sec, in order to freeze the water spray. With bright sunshine it is best to underexpose the shot (-1ev compensation) in order to avoid “burnt out” white spray. I tend to use high-speed continuous shooting mode, AI servo, Auto WB and normal evaluative metering on my Canon EOS 7D. I use the single, centre focus point as it is the fastest and have extended its area using one of the options on the 7D.

ABOVE: James Hook bursts through the Scotland defence right in front of the post. In the uncropped image the massively padded goal posts intrude from the left. The sponsors would love the shot, most editors would crop it!

Try to avoid dull and grey days as the pictures just do not stand out. Bright sunshine really gives some ‘pop’ and means that low ISOs can be used, thus keeping the noise down.

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