Surf - Jaws

[pmdcm]

A few more pics from Jaws 7 Dec





http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/4817/imagem120y.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/5634/imagem027a.jpg

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/3804/imagem129.jpg

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/6950/imagem305m.jpg

http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/5995/imagem489.jpg

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/8569/imagem467.jpg

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/5704/imagem402.jpg

[trt-reece]

That first photo is epic! Best of the bunch, especially because of that chopper

[Karl Johnston]

What's the chopper doing?

[beano]

I didn't think the 400 would be long enough for these kinda shots!?! Awesome!

I'm torn between 1&2 for fav. The Chopper adds another element to the shot, but surfwise #2 is the more interesting. ;)

[rowan57]

Chopper would be there to help rescue anyone that got into probs maybe (Obv if you get into probs here it is going to hurt, a lot) ? or is filming? Awesome shots, loving the waves!

[beano]

Jetski's are for rescue, choppers more than likely filming, although i guess they could have a radio to alert the jetski's. ;)

[johendley]

awesome...and there i was, thinking i was a surfer!!! great shots- #1 for me.

[BOUNCINGNRG]

Pretty sick stuff, love the 1st dhot with the chopper. They're about the same size waves we get on the english channel:D

[scsurfdad]

Great shots! Thanks for sharing and keep'em coming.

[slider2828]

Look at the SIZE of those waves... I don't think a 400 would get that... I am 100% sure of that... Maybe 400 with a 1.4x

[beano]

Look at the SIZE of those waves... I don't think a 400 would get that... I am 100% sure of that... Maybe 400 with a 1.4x

That did cross my mind too, but the exif's intact. I know when i use the 400 with 1.4x on my 350D it actually gives the proper focal length ie. 560mm.

[Mark II]

Sick!

Chopper is shooting pics (video most likely). I dont see it providing any kind of rescue ... always a first time though.

The big pond has been so alive this week!!!!

[Peter Ho]

The 2nd pic is lovely. Must have shot at 400mm.

[ckfishel2001]

Sick!

Chopper is shooting pics (video most likely). I dont see it providing any kind of rescue ... always a first time though.

The big pond has been so alive this week!!!!

Heard them talking on NPR about some silly big waves in Hawaii over the past week....in time for a big surf competition......

[82NoMe]

#5 for me.

[ribbie78]

I like the 1st the best. Those are some BIG waves! We don't see waves like that too often on Lake Erie :(

[Morlow]

Wow awesome shots! Those waves are mammoth.

[smokymtnrain]

Nice comp with the 400

[Jaewhy]

nice captures here.

[Cyclop]

Terrific series, well done.

[ChunkyDA]

Great shots, you can just smell the danger with the jetski totin neckbrace guys right there. What is the location?

[PJ]

They are all fantastic! I especially like the feel of #1. As others have already said, the chopper adds a whole new perspective to it all as you don't "usually" see something in the foreground of surf shots.

[ferry101]

First and second one are money!

[MikeFairbanks]

Nice pictures. The Eddie has come and gone in the week that you posted.

Big waves over there.

Yes, the helicopter is for filming. It wouldnt' do any good as a rescue vehicle without a winch and some kind of basket for hoisting surfers. Plus, there are plenty of personal watercraft that would be much better for rescue. Back in the 70s and 80s they used helicopters to rescue guys at Waimea Bay on Oahu, but not anymore. A PWC can get to the surfer much faster.

But, surprisingly, deaths in big waves are quite rare. Deaths in the sport of surfing are extremely rare. You might get a couple of deaths per year in Hawaii and maybe a couple in California, and a lot of times they find out about other health problems that contributed.

Even big waves like those at Jaws rarely hold people under for more than fifteen seconds or so.

Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu currently holds the record for most deaths. It's not due so much to the size of the waves but the depth of the water. Guys hit the reef sometimes and break a neck or back. It generally (Pipeline) takes about one life per year, and rarely from simple drowning. Almost always from a severe injury that renders the surfer unconscious, followed by drowning.


Finally, what's interesting to note is that the higher the vantage point of the photographer, the smaller the wave will appear. Pictures shot at water level or from the beach will show the waves as much larger. The angle in surf photography is a huge factor. Jaws is rarely shot at water level (for obvious reasons). It would be very difficult to do with a decent lens, and any small lens isn't going to cut it out there.

[jimz66]

Great action shots. I think that the chopper gets in the way of the subject matter though. That's my opinion. Man I wish I was healthy enough and lived near waves like that I would love to sure.

[MikeFairbanks]

The chopper has a cam mounted to it.

Some guys use RC choppers. Crazy.

[LBaldwin]

It's weird, but I was just watching the movie about big wave surfers that includes the first towed surfer contest, in 03. One guy got smashed for over 150 yds under water!!. I think this tops Mav's for height..

Great shots here tho the OP did a great job. Hawaii is still king for large surf, on most days. Cyclops and Mavricks are no slouchs.

[BT-S]

Excellent set..

I just came home from Maui yesterday, and wanted go to Jaws. Didn't work out, but that must have been a hell of a sight

[daver22]

First is best!

[bigguytf]

Pretty nice pics. About the only thing missing was a picture of Laird Hamilton there in the surf. Had to be a lot of fun taking those.

[20DNewbie]

Love the shots with the chopper in them.

I'd love to see some big wave surfing some day, sadly anytime a storm comes around and kicks up some surf they close the beaches around here. Heck, I'd even like to go out to Cortes just to watch.

[Phiberglass]

Wow, great shots. Loving the first one