Southern California Surfing

[zach]

I went down to the break after work to shoot some of the locals. Here are 2.

http://fonesplicr.smugmug.com/photos/20934891-L.jpg

http://fonesplicr.smugmug.com/photos/20935521-L.jpg

Hope there is enough "action" in these!

[PaCiFiSt]

There is plenty of action in them - at least for me - I like those pictures..

[tumbleweed]

Great shots! The water looks amazing.

[dÄb]

Perfect timing on that second shot. Love it.
David

[sixshot]

Second one is great. Definately enough action...

[Noni]

I really like the colors on #1, but there's something about #2 which I like a bit more.

Thanks!

Best-
Noni

[SurfKahakai]

What settings were those shot at and with what lens? Is that actually the color of the water or did you play with it in photoshop? My surfing photos never turn out that nice.

[zach]

Thanks everybody, it's comments like these that keep you going!

SurfKahakai, That color is pretty much right on. It was a late afternoon and the sun was making the waves backlit so to speak. It is also a real shallow break, but I don't know if that makes a difference.

Settings~
ISO 400
Tv 1/2000
Av F11

Lens~
Canon 300 f/2.8L IS(not mine, just a rental for the weekend)

[mdm]

I like no. 1 it shows a nice color of the wave, also it's a bigger face he is surfing on. Could be the same wave ,just at the start. The way the sunlight is makes me want to get the dust off my board.

[SurfKahakai]

How close were you to the surfers? Even my best shots from the a pier don't look that good. I use a 100-300mm and it looks pretty soft sometimes.

[zach]

How close were you to the surfers? Even my best shots from the a pier don't look that good. I use a 100-300mm and it looks pretty soft sometimes.

Those shots are fullframe. No cropping. My best guess would be 30-40yds. I shot from a jetty. It is a great place to get close. I gotta tell you that lens is way sweet, a tad sharper than my 100-400L. I did USM, but only slightly. If you are ever in San Diego, go to south Mission Beach.

[SurfKahakai]

I'll be moving to SD to complete school in about a year. I'm looking forward to the warmer water.

Tell me what you think about this photo. It was shot using my 100-300. This is full frame at 300mm. Any tips? Oh and if that 100-400L isn't sharp enough for you I'd be reluctantly willing to take it off your hands :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/surfkahakai/10Apr1.jpg

[zach]

Good luck on school down here. Where are you going to go?

That shot looks pretty good to me. I think it all has to do with how close you can get to the surfer. Shooting from the jetty gets you pretty close, and I think that helps. I don't know that I'm one to give tips, but I was shooting in continous mode and that seemed to help catch guys in the middle of their moves.

Oh and if that 100-400L isn't sharp enough for you I'd be reluctantly willing to take it off your hands :)

They would have to be cold,dead hands!:lol:

[Steve Parr]

Zach, is that Ocean Beach? I've taken a lot of shots off the pier...

Steve

[SurfKahakai]

Good luck on school down here. Where are you going to go?

SDSU...it's cheap, near the ocean, and has Air Force ROTC. Those are my requirements.

[zach]

Zach, is that Ocean Beach? I've taken a lot of shots off the pier...

Steve

Steve, just accross the jetty at South Mission. OB has good opportunities also.

[zach]

SDSU...it's cheap, near the ocean, and has Air Force ROTC. Those are my requirements.

Nothing wrong with SDSU. I've got a cousin that's a Prof there in the Art Dept.

[Tdragone]

Lol.

Not to be off topic; but I live in SD (was born here) AND went to SDSU AND was in AFrotc.

Yes it is 'near the ocean' but it is still a drive. Don't let the brochure fool you completely. There are a LOT of nice things to shoot down here though.

Zach; where dod you rent the lens? Was it @ Georges Camera or somewhere else?

-Tom D.

[zach]

Zach; where dod you rent the lens? Was it @ Georges Camera or somewhere else?

-Tom D.

Yes, it was Georges. I've had nothing but good experiences with them.

[kawter]

man I LOVE backlight waves!!! great set!

[zach]

man I LOVE backlight waves!!! great set!

That is one of the reasons I like going to this beach after work. Gotta love daylight savings.

[DwightMcCann]

I like these a lot ... particularly the translucency in the water and apparent closeness, both of which go to support the action. Good job!