How to photograph waves and surf

Hi! I've compiled a few tips and tricks I've learned over the last few years photographing surf around West Cork. You do not need expensive gear or lenses to make these types of images. A good zoom would be helpful but not necessary. If you have a good grasp of how your camera works you won't have a problem.

The hardest part of making unique coastal images is making sure all the environmental factors are lined up. Decent swell, ideal wind, good light, right tide are essential. On the rare (quite rare in West Cork!) occasions these factors line up it's up to you to be in the right place at the right time!

1) Check the conditions

We are coming into the best time of year for photographing surf and waves. After the long summer flat spell Autumn usually brings the first proper swells of the season. Hurricane GASTON, currently brewing in the Atlantic, could be our first quality swell! This time of year is still relatively warm and sunrise/sunset is not at a ridiculously early or late hour. Checking the conditions (swell, wind, tide, light, sunrise/sunset times) is half the battle! Magicseaweed is the perfect tool for this.

2) Move around

To get more dynamic photographs of waves try to get off the beach and look for angles that allow you to get an alternative perspective. In the shot below I am parallel to the surfers. This allows the viewer to see what the surfers are seeing. Powerful, barreling surf with the West Cork landscape rising behind.

"September Swells"

3) Get it ALL in

It's important to zoom out from time to time and get the whole scene. Appealing shapes and images may not be obvious until you pull back on the zoom. In the image below I intended to photograph the surfer walking into the surf. I was oblivious to the gorgeous shape the surf was making as the waves wrapped around the sandbar.

"Contours"

5) Panning shots

Panning is when you use a slow(ish) shutter speed while following the subject in your frame. This is a tricky technique that WILL result in many missed shots (make sure to use BURST mode). However the one you get will be worth it. These type of images really add a sense of movement and power that would be lacking from a regular shot.

6) Enjoy yourself!

Photography is more about the process and not just the final product. It really is an excuse to get out into the fresh air and enjoy the sights and sounds around you. If you don't get a shot or the conditions weren't as spectacular as you had hoped, don't worry about it. If getting great shots was easy it wouldn't be as fun! When you do get an amazing shot it will feel so much sweeter.

I hope you find some of these tips useful!

Happy shooting!

Ger.