It happens to everyone who surfs, and anyone who surfs regularly and says they have never had a heavy
wipeout is lying to ya. It's part of the surfing game. Some are more spectacular than others but when photographing the action it's always worth keeping your lens trained on the surfer as he is either taking off or after his ride appears to be coming to an end.
If he creams in on the take off be prepared for it, alternatively if he has reached the end of his ride the surfer might decide to end it in a spectacular way by launching himself off the lip so keep following with your lens throughout.
Knowing that the take off is one of the more critical moves the surfer is going to perform try and pick up the surfer as he lines himself up and gets ready to start paddling for the wave and keep him in your view as he starts to paddle. This can be harder than it sounds depending on the break your photographing. Many of the breaks I have photographed are problematic because once the first couple of waves in the set have broken then the view of the remaining in the set can be restricted. Add to this a crowded line up and it becomes difficult.
But it's worth pursuing because wipeout shots are dramatic, especially on a heavy wave. I maintain a folder in my photo archive that I keep stocked with wipeout shots, surf magazines always like to see them so it's well worthwhile keeping one.
Also keep an eye out when it's a windy day because a strong offshore can catch the board after the wipeout and lift it right up to the full extent of the leash making a dramatic shot, just remember to leave space in your shot when your framing to ensure you get the board in.
People really do get into some weird positions when they're wiping out so try and capture that, don't be afraid to keep your camera on continuous shooting mode and 'hose' them down as the action happens and they go flying through the air, your almost guaranteed to get some good shots.
So, pick the surfer up early, follow them throughout their ride, right to the very end but remember, be prepared, when it happens it will happen very fast so be ready for it. Concentrate on your focussing, your more than likely going to be shooting on autofocus so keep the focus point on the surfer. This takes practice, you can almost put money on losing your focus as you follow the surfer just as he reaches the most critical part of the ride. But stick at it. You'll get some good stuff.
It happens to everyone who surfs, and anyone who surfs regularly and says they have never had a heavy wipeout is lying to ya. It's part of the surfing game. Some are more spectacular than others but when photographing the action it's always worth keeping your lens trained on the surfer as he is either taking off or after his ride appears to be coming to an end.
If he creams in on the take off be prepared for it, alternatively if he has reached the end of his ride the surfer might decide to end it in a spectacular way by launching himself off the lip so keep following with your lens throughout.
Knowing that the take off is one of the more critical moves the surfer is going to perform try and pick up the surfer as he lines himself up and gets ready to start paddling for the wave and keep him in your view as he starts to paddle. This can be harder than it sounds depending on the break your photographing. Many of the breaks I have photographed are problematic because once the first couple of waves in the set have broken then the view of the remaining in the set can be restricted. Add to this a crowded line up and it becomes difficult.
But it's worth pursuing because wipeout shots are dramatic, especially on a heavy wave. I maintain a folder in my photo archive that I keep stocked with wipeout shots, surf magazines always like to see them so it's well worthwhile keeping one.
Also keep an eye out when it's a windy day because a strong offshore can catch the board after the wipeout and lift it right up to the full extent of the leash making a dramatic shot, just remember to leave space in your shot when your framing to ensure you get the board in.
People really do get into some weird positions when they're wiping out so try and capture that, don't be afraid to keep your camera on continuous shooting mode and 'hose' them down as the action happens and they go flying through the air, your almost guaranteed to get some good shots.
So, pick the surfer up early, follow them throughout their ride, right to the very end but remember, be prepared, when it happens it will happen very fast so be ready for it. Concentrate on your focussing, your more than likely going to be shooting on autofocus so keep the focus point on the surfer. This takes practice, you can almost put money on losing your focus as you follow the surfer just as he reaches the most critical part of the ride. But stick at it. You'll get some good stuff.
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