Surf photography tips 2025
Surf photography is a challenging yet rewarding genre of photography. Capturing the beauty of a surfer riding a wave is an incredible experience and a great way to show off your skill. But like any other type of photography, there are certain tips and tricks to ensure you get the best shots possible. In this blog post, we’ll cover some essential surf photography tips to help you achieve the best results.
Firstly, you’ll need to select the right equipment. To help you get the best results, here's a guide to the best cameras for surf photography. The first camera you should consider If you’re looking for something a bit more compact, you should consider a mirrorless camera. Mirrorless cameras are lightweight and offer many of the features of a DSLR in a smaller package. They are also generally more affordable than DSLRs. The Sony Alpha a6500 is a great option for surf photography. It has a 24.2 megapixel APS-C sensor, an ISO range of 100-25600, and an autofocus system with 425 points. It also has 4K video recording capabilities and an electronic viewfinder. Finally, if you’re looking for something even more compact, you should consider an action camera. Action cameras are designed to be rugged and waterproof, making them ideal for photographing the waves. The GoPro Hero 11 Black is a great option for surf photography. It has a 12 megapixel sensor, an ISO range of 100-3200, and a wide range of video recording options, including 4K at 120 frames per second. It also has a 2-inch touchscreen display, allowing you to easily review your shots. DSLRs are a little older now but they still offer a wide range of features and options, making them ideal for surf photography. They are fast and responsive and can capture clear, detailed images. They also offer a wide range of lenses, allowing you to capture different perspectives depending on your needs. When it comes to DSLRs, you have a lot of options. The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is a great option for surf photography. It has a 30.4 megapixel full-frame sensor, an ISO range of 100-32000, and a 61-point AF system. It also has 4K video recording capabilities, allowing you to capture video footage of the waves. No matter what camera you decide to use for your surf photography, the most important thing is to practice and experiment. Different cameras have different capabilities, so take the time to learn what each one can do. With a bit of practice, you’ll soon be capturing stunning surf shots.If you plan on shooting in the water, make sure to use a wide angle lens to capture the full scope of the scene. If you want to shoot from the beach, a telephoto lens will allow you to focus on the surfer. Additionally, you should consider using a waterproof housing or a waterproof camera bag to protect your camera from the saltwater and sand if you are shooting in the water.
Next up is settings, first, it is important to set your camera to its highest resolution possible. This will ensure that you can capture all the details of the waves and the action of the surfers. You should also set the ISO to its lowest setting to prevent any graininess in the photos. When it comes to shutter speed, you want to find a balance between capturing the movement of the waves and the surfers and avoiding motion blur. For the best results, use a shutter speed of around 1/1000th of a second when shooting in bright conditions, and 1/250th of a second when shooting in lower light. Aperture is also an important factor to consider when shooting surf photography. You want to have enough depth of field to get a sharp focus while still capturing the motion of the waves and surfers. For the best results, use an aperture of f/8 or smaller when shooting in bright conditions and f/5.6 or larger when shooting in lower light. When it comes to white balance, the best setting for surf photography is usually cloudy or shade. This will help keep the colors of the waves and surfers more natural. If you have a camera with manual white balance settings, you can also try selecting a custom white balance to get the most accurate results. Finally, it is important to use a polarizer filter to reduce glare and reflections from the water’s surface. This will help to make the colors of the waves and surfers pop, resulting in vibrant and eye-catching images.
When it comes to the actual technique of taking surf photos, timing is key. It is important to anticipate the wave and be ready to snap the shot as soon as the wave starts to crest. This means that you will need to be aware of the movement of the waves and be able to quickly adjust your shutter speed and aperture settings to capture the perfect shot.
Lighting is also an important factor in surf photography. Try to avoid strong direct sunlight, as this can create harsh shadows and overexposed images. Instead, use the light from the sun setting or rising for softer and more balanced light. The golden hour is usually the best time of day for surf photography. Lighting can make or break a surf photography shoot. Poor lighting can result in dull, flat images that lack detail, colour and impact. But with the right lighting, your images can take on a whole new level of life and drama. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your surf photography lighting:
1. Natural light. Natural light is often the best light for surf photography. The early morning and late afternoon hours provide the most ideal lighting conditions for capturing the best surf shots. During this time, the sun is low in the sky and you can use its warm light to create dramatic shadows and highlights.
2. Artificial light. Artificial lighting can be used to supplement natural light and create interesting effects and textures. If you’re shooting at night, you can use strobes or lights to add drama and depth to your shots.
3. Reflections. One of the best ways to add drama to your surf photography is to use reflectors and diffusers. These can be placed in strategic positions to reflect light onto the wave and surfer, creating interesting highlights and shadows.
4. Filters. Filters such as graduated ND filters can be used to balance out the bright sky and darker water. This will help to bring out the details in the wave and surfer and create a more realistic image.
5. Clouds. Clouds can add a great sense of atmosphere to your images. If you’re shooting on a cloudy day, try to position your surfer in the brighter patches of light created by the clouds.
This will help to create a more dynamic and interesting image. These are just a few tips to help you get the best out of your surf photography lighting. With the right lighting, you can create amazing images that capture the beauty and motion of the waves and surfers. So take the time to experiment and find the best lighting that works for you and your images.
Composition is also key for good surf photography. To capture the action, here are some of our top tips:
1. Use the Rule of Thirds The Rule of Thirds is one of the most basic, yet powerful, composition techniques. When composing your image, try to place the main subject of the image along one of the imaginary lines that divide the frame into thirds. This creates a more visually appealing and balanced image.
2. Get Close to the Action In order to capture the most dynamic moments in surfing, you need to be close to the action. Get in the water, or as close to the edge of the surf as possible. This will help you capture the speed, power, and emotion of the wave and the surfer.
3. Shoot from Different Angles Shooting from different angles can help to create more interesting and dynamic images. Try shooting from above the wave, or from the side. You can also experiment with different focal lengths to create different perspectives.
4. Include the Environment When shooting surf photography, it's important to remember to include the environment in your images. Include the beach, the ocean, or the sky to give your image a sense of place. This will help to create a more immersive and powerful image.
5. Simplify the Composition Simplifying the composition of your image can help to draw attention to the most important elements. Try to eliminate any distractions and only include what is necessary to tell the story.
6. Capture the Emotion Surf photography is all about capturing the emotion of the moment. Look for expressions, movements, and gestures that express the joy and exhilaration of the experience. These are just a few tips to help you create better surf photography compositions. With practice and experimentation, you'll be able to create stunning images that capture the beauty and power of the surf.
Once the images have been captured, the next step is the editing process. Editing surf photography images can be quite a challenge, since surfers are often surrounded by bright light reflections, deep shadows, and high contrast scenes. It’s important to be able to make the most of the images and bring out their best features.
The first step in editing surf photography images is to adjust the exposure. This will help to reduce any noise caused by the bright sunlight and bring out the details in the wave. It’s important to be careful not to overexpose the image, as this can cause unwanted highlights and shadows.
The next step is to adjust the contrast. You can use the ‘Levels’ tool to adjust the blacks, whites, and midtones of the image to give it more contrast. This will help to bring out the details and make the image more vibrant.
The third step is to adjust the colors. You can use the ‘Hue/Saturation’ tool to increase the saturation of the image and make the colors pop. This will help to give the image more life and bring out the deep blues and greens of the ocean. The fourth step is to sharpen the image.
You can use the ‘Unsharp Mask’ tool to make the details of the wave stand out and give it a more defined look. Be careful not to overdo it, as this can cause unwanted artefacts in the image.
Finally, you can add a vignette to the image to give it a more dramatic look. This can be done by using the ‘Vignette’ tool to darken the edges of the image and focus the viewer’s attention on the wave. These are just a few of the steps that can be taken when editing surf photography images. With a bit of practice and patience, you can create stunning images that capture the beauty and power of the ocean.
Overall, surf photography is a great way to capture the beauty and power of the ocean. With the right equipment and some knowledge of the tips and tricks mentioned above, you’ll be able to take amazing photos of surf spots and shorelines. So get out there and start taking some surf-tastic photos!