10 SURF PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FOR BEGINNERS USING DIGITAL & 35MM FILM
Waimea Bay, Hawaii on Kodak Portra 400 Film by Karl Mackie
Surf photography is an exhilarating yet challenging genre that combines the dynamic motion of the ocean with the fast-paced action of surfing. Whether you’re shooting digitally or with 35mm film, capturing the perfect surf shot requires a blend of technical skill, creativity, and an understanding of the environment.
Here are 10 essential tips to help you get started on your surf photography journey:
1. UNDERSTAND YOUR GEAR
Before you go to the beach, become familiar with your camera settings. If you're using a digital camera, get comfortable with manual mode, especially the settings for shutter speed, ISO, and aperture. For a 35mm film camera, make sure you understand the film speed and how it will impact your photos.
Understanding your gear will give you more control over the final image.
2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT LENS
When capturing surf photography, a telephoto lens is often the preferred choice, enabling you to capture dynamic action from a distance without the need to be in the water. A versatile option for this purpose is the 70-200mm lens, which delivers excellent results for both digital and film photography.
For more immersive shots, consider using a wide-angle lens, such as a 24mm or 35mm. Incorporating both a telephoto lens and a wide-angle lens can add depth and dimension to your storytelling through images.
“INCORPORATING BOTH A TELEPHOTO LENS & A WIDE-ANGLE LENS CAN ADD DEPTH AND DIMENSION TO YOUR STORYTELLING THROUGH IMAGES”
3. MASTER SHUTTER SPEED
Surf photography requires fast shutter speeds to freeze the action. For digital cameras, aim for a shutter speed of at least 1/1000th of a second. With 35mm film, this means using faster film (ISO 400 or 800) to ensure you can maintain a high shutter speed in various lighting conditions.
Using a faster shutter speed to shoot surfing is essential because it allows you to freeze the action in your photos. Surfing is a fast-paced sport with quick movements, from the surfer riding the wave to the splash of the water. A faster shutter speed, typically captures these rapid movements sharply, preventing motion blur.
This means you’ll be able to capture crisp, clear images of the surfer in action, whether they’re carving through a wave or catching air. Without a fast shutter speed, the dynamic nature of surfing would result in blurred, less-defined images, missing the sharp details that make surf photography so compelling.
Fistral Beach, Newquay on Kodak Portra 800 Film by Karl Mackie
4. USE BURST MODE
Surfing is all about capturing that perfect moment – the spray of the water, the peak of a wave, or the surfer mid-air. Burst mode (or continuous shooting mode) is essential for digital photography, allowing you to take multiple shots in quick succession. This increases your chances of getting that one epic shot.
Most traditional 35mm film cameras do not have a burst mode like. However, you can achieve a similar effect manually with an automatic film advance mechanism. Some motorized film cameras allow you to take consecutive shots rapidly by holding down the shutter button, with the camera automatically advancing the film between shots.
One downside of using film is that it has a limited number of exposures, usually 24 or 36 shots per roll, so you need to be aware of how quickly you're using up your film. Moreover, shooting rapidly requires faster shutter speeds to ensure that each frame is sharp and not blurred by movement. While you won't achieve the same frame rate as with digital burst modes, it's still possible to capture sequences of surfing, using this method on a 35mm film camera.
5. KNOW THE SURF SPOT
Before you start shooting surf photography, it’s crucial to spend time observing the surf spot. This initial observation allows you to familiarise yourself with the specific characteristics of the location. The following points are key to capturing great shots.
Get to Know the Waves
Every surf spot has its own unique wave patterns, breaks, and rhythms. Some spots might have long, peeling waves that are great for capturing fluid motion, while others might have shorter, more powerful waves perfect for action-packed shots. By watching the waves, you can understand their timing and how they break, which will help you predict where the most exciting action will happen.
Understand the Surfers
Each surfer has their own style, skill level, and preferred lines on a wave. By observing them before you start shooting, you can anticipate their movements, identify the moments when they’re likely to perform impressive maneuvers and capture those peak moments. Knowing which surfers are more aggressive or creative in their riding can guide you in framing your shots for maximum impact.
Find the Best Angles
The right angle can make or break a surf photo. By walking around the spot and checking it out from different perspectives, you can find the most visually interesting angles. This might be a low angle that emphasizes the height of a wave or a higher vantage point that captures the surfer against the backdrop of the ocean. Consider where the sun is, as lighting will affect the clarity and drama of your shots.
Understand the Break
The “break” refers to where the waves start to form and crash. Understanding how the break works at your chosen surf spot helps you anticipate where the action will be. Some breaks are consistent and predictable, while others are more chaotic. Knowing the break allows you to position yourself in the right spot to catch the action as it unfolds, ensuring you’re ready when the perfect wave comes along.
Air, Fistral Beach by Karl Mackie
6. PLAY WITH COMPOSITION
When experimenting with composition, think of your photo as a story you’re telling. Instead of just focusing on the main subject, like the ocean, consider how the surrounding elements can add layers to that story.
For instance, including the shoreline in your photo can create a natural border that draws the viewer’s eye toward the sea. Distant cliffs or headlands can add a sense of scale and grandeur, making the scene feel more expansive and immersive. The sky, especially during golden hour or with interesting cloud formations, can add mood and drama to your photo, complementing the landscape below.
The natural environment offers plenty of opportunities to enhance your composition. Sand dunes and long grasses, often found in coastal areas, make excellent foreground elements. These can lead the viewer’s eyes into the scene, creating a sense of depth. In photography, “lead lines” are lines that guide the viewer’s eye from one part of the photo to another, and using natural elements like grasses or pathways is a great way to achieve this.
When you’re shooting in Cornwall during the summer, the vibrant landscape offers plenty of material to work with. The golden hues of the sand, the rich greens of the grasses, and the contrasting blues of the sky and sea can all contribute to a visually compelling composition. By thoughtfully including these elements, you can create photos that feel dynamic and full of life, transporting the viewer to the very place where you captured the shot.
Watergate Bay by Karl Mackie
7. SHOOT IN THE GOLDEN HOUR
The soft, golden light during sunrise or sunset is perfect for surf photography. The low angle of the sun creates long shadows and highlights the texture of the waves. This is especially important when shooting with 35mm film, where lighting is crucial to getting the right exposure, and here is why:
Magical Lighting
The golden hour—typically the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset—offers soft, warm, and diffused lighting that enhances the natural beauty of your subject. This light is less harsh than the midday sun, reducing shadows and providing a pleasing, even illumination across the scene. On 35mm film, this warm light is beautifully rendered, giving your images a rich, glowing quality that’s hard to replicate at any other time of day.
Enhanced Colours
The film has a unique way of capturing colour, and during the golden hour, these colours become even more vibrant. The warm tones of the sun accentuate the natural colours of the ocean, the surfer, and the sky. This creates a stunning contrast between the golden hues of the sunlight and the deep blues and greens of the water. The warm light also adds a nostalgic, timeless feel to your photos, which is one of the reasons many photographers love shooting with 35mm film.
Highlights and Shadows
35mm film is known for its ability to handle highlights and shadows with a smooth, natural roll-off. During the golden hour, the interplay of light and shadow is at its most dynamic, and the film excels in capturing this range. The highlights from the sun reflecting off the water and the surfer’s board are rendered with a pleasing softness, avoiding the harshness that digital sensors might produce in similar conditions.
Lower Contrast for More Detail
The golden hour typically offers lower contrast light, which helps in preserving details in both the highlights and shadows. On 35mm film, this translates into images with a smooth gradation of tones and more visible details in the surfer, the waves, and the surroundings. This level of detail enhances the overall storytelling aspect of your photos, capturing not just the action, but the atmosphere of the scene.
Film Grain Adds Texture
The inherent grain of 35mm film adds a beautiful texture to your images, and this texture is particularly appealing during the golden hour. The softness of the light combined with the organic grain of film creates a painterly effect, making your surf photos look artistic and evocative.
Whipsiderry, Cornwall by Karl Mackie
8. EXPERIMENT WITH FILM TYPES
Experimenting with different types of film is an exciting way to explore the unique qualities of 35mm film and to create diverse looks in your photography, especially when shooting dynamic subjects like surfing. Each type of film has its own characteristics in terms of colour rendering, contrast, grain structure, and exposure latitude, which can significantly affect the final outcome of your images. Colour film, like Kodak Portra 400, is great for capturing the vibrant hues of the ocean, while black and white film, such as Ilford HP5 Plus, can add a timeless, dramatic effect to your surf shots. Here are our suggestions for film:
Low ISO Films (100-200)
Low ISO films like Kodak Ektar 100 or Fuji Velvia 50 are ideal for shooting in bright, sunny conditions. They produce very fine grain and deliver sharp, detailed images with rich colours. However, they require plenty of light, so they’re best for midday shooting or when the sun is high.
Medium ISO Films (400)
Films like Kodak Portra 400 or Ilford HP5 Plus 400 offer a balance between grain and light sensitivity. They’re versatile and can handle various lighting conditions, making them great for all-day shooting. The grain is noticeable but still fine enough for detailed work.
High ISO Films (800-3200)
High ISO films, such as Kodak Portra 800 or Ilford Delta 3200, are perfect for low-light conditions like early morning or late evening when the light is soft and less intense. These films will introduce more grain into your images, adding a textural, moody quality that can enhance the drama of your surf photos.
The Walkers II on Ilford 400 Film by Karl Mackie
9. PROTECT YOUR GEAR
Taking your camera gear to the beach can expose it to several risks. Saltwater is particularly corrosive and can damage your camera’s internal components if it seeps in, leading to malfunctions or even rendering the equipment unusable. Sand is another major hazard—it can scratch your lenses, jam buttons, and get into tiny crevices, potentially causing mechanical issues over time. Unpredictable weather, like sudden rain or strong winds, can also increase the chances of water or sand getting into your gear.
To protect your equipment, investing in waterproof housing is essential if you plan to shoot near the water or in wet conditions. This housing creates a protective barrier, keeping water and sand out while still allowing you to capture great shots. Additionally, carrying a microfiber cloth is crucial for regularly wiping down your lenses and camera body, preventing sand or water spots from affecting your images or damaging your gear. These precautions can help extend the life of your camera equipment and keep it functioning well even in a challenging beach environment.
10. PATIENCE
Surf photography requires patience – both in waiting for the perfect wave and in honing your skills. Don’t be discouraged if your first few attempts aren’t perfect. Keep practicing, experiment with different techniques, and enjoy the process of capturing the beauty and thrill of surfing.
Whether you’re shooting digitally or with 35mm film, these tips will help you capture stunning surf photography that showcases the power of the ocean and the skill of the surfers.
Glide, Hawaii by Karl Mackie
If you're passionate about surf photography, join our upcoming Surf Photography Workshop in Cornwall from September 14th to 16th, 2024.
September Surf Photography Workshop
You can find more of my work on Instagram: @karl_mackie, and on my website: karlmackie.com
