Surf photos, any tips?

[fishface]

I'm a bit of a keen photographer and a keen surfer and recently came up with a brainwave (see if anyone can guess).

Anyway I'm wondering if anyone has any experience or tips at all that they would like to share. I have a camera and housing already is there anything else that I need? (fins, bouyancy aid etc) Or is there anything that you recommend that I do?

D

[tomcat360]

dont hesitate and wait to the last second


....that basically should go for life as well, although they are rather contorary in a way. I mean as in, dont hesitate because the wave is too big, or dont hesitate out of the way, just tell them what you are doing and wait til they are on your head. fins seem like they would help

[hawaiiSUCKSexceptsurf]

guys here ride sponges or "boogie boards" while doing that. atleast the amateurs do. man thats what i need to do. goggles maybe? get some good beneath or behind the wave action.

[hawaiiSUCKSexceptsurf]

perhaps they should make a leash to attach it to your arm. i dont trust a strap

[fishface]

I thought about a boogie board but I also thought that if I have some guy bearing down on me and I want to try and get the best shot then I'll prolly have to dive out of the way sharpish.

I have a wrist leash.

Any ideas about what camera settings I should use (this is getting a bit technical!)

[PapaW]

Try a few of the threads here --> http://magicseaweed.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=12
Alot of guys doing it profesionally there.

Also speak to the guys on the KBB forums http://www.kernowbodyboarding.co.uk as they also are heavily into it.

[sinistapenguin]

Not that I'm a professional or anything, but we often take the disposable cameras out on smaller days.

When we do that it's just swimming with the camera. Unfortunately you have to position yourself practically in the impact zone to get good shots, but with no board it's not such a worry!!

[Stone Fox]

I'm pretty new to surfing, but I can give you a little piece of advice about waterproof cameras, whether disposable or not - Keep one eye on the waves! I was lying on my board, about to take a photo of my mate on a wave when I realised that he was almost level with me...

Looked front and found myself face to face with about 4-5 foot of angry foam...

pressed the shutter button and took the photo about 1-2 seconds before the wave knocked me off my board like I'd swipe a fly off my leg... (both hands were on the camera)

Managed to keep the Camera, and the photo was pretty cool! I'll post it if anyone is interested.

On a more helpful note, I know virtually nothing about photography and very little about surfing - I bought a 5 pound disposable water proof and the photos turned out brilliantly. Just don't photo into the sun!

[sinistapenguin]

I agree with Stone Fox.

Unless you're trying to be a professional, I'd go with the disposables - you can get some great shots and it doesn't matter too much if you lose it.

My mate's just got a sony cybershot digital camera with a waterproof case. He can't wait to get some photos and movie clips, but I'd be terrified of taking a £400 camera (that wasn't designed for it) out in the water!!