Surfing in Scotland - Thurso

These were taken at the O'neill Highland Open surfing competition. Location is Brims Ness near Thurso, Caithness. Canon 40D with Sigma 135 - 400mm lens on a Manfrotto tripod.

last one is my favorite. if the people were in focus in some of these, they would be outstanding. The colors on your pictures are so nice. any special pp?

Shutter speed much to slow. 125 and 200 is not fast enough for surfing (one only at 400)
Your 40D will stand shooting at higher than ISO100.

Up the ISO and shutter speed next time, then you will have a much better chance of getting good pictures.

Action wise you've posted some good shots, just a shame about the movement.

Thanks for the valuable comments. I will give these a go (I'm still new to surfing) I do like movement in my shots, though (I play in a band and like the crowd to be blurred - for me it adds a sense of ENERGY/speed & emotion) We will see how tomorrow goes.

david888lee wrote in post #5404405
last one is my favorite. if the people were in focus in some of these, they would be outstanding. The colors on your pictures are so nice. any special pp?

I start with "Shadow / highlights", add lots of highlights/almost no shadows, Level adjust (bring up the whites / balance), Unsharp mask, try an autocolour to test for tints, also dodge & burn selectively / re-sample to 800 and sharpen.

They are blurry but parts are still sharp. They're not the standard surf shot and it would help to have the riding sharp as well as the board (in #2) but the motion of the wave is evident which is pretty cool. Your water colors are great but the faces are a little red.

I agree on the shutter speeds. Personally, I use ISO 400 and 1/2000 sec on an old 350D

Therefore, with a 40D you should get excellent results.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

Here's one from today with the ISO and shutter speed upped in value. I do love the detail on the flat surface of the wave.

If you are going to use lower shutter speeds, I would pan with the surfer. That will give you a stronger chance for sharpness...but you will get a totally different kind of motion blur.

1/500 - 1/1000 should be good for most images to have the surfer sharp as been said.

Much better 1/2000 at ISO 400 did the trick OK

Yes, I think I'm a convert to the totally frozen type of action shot (Hi ISO/shutter speed etc) The energy of the big waves and pose of the surfer gives all the emotion I feel. I do love the incredible detail on the surface of the water and spray. Roll on next year (pun intended!!)

The higher iso make it much more sharp. Nice job

Good job on the new shot! Good work!!

I prefer motion in most sports shots that involve speed or power, either in the subject or background or both. Frozen images are interesting but can take on a sterile appearance if that's all you view. Maybe some variety - blur and still is the way to go?

Yes I agree, a mixture of both is the way I will proceed. Here is a couple of shots taken during the final on 29/04/2008 at Thurso East, Caithness. The sun was setting straight into the camera (40D) which made for some great light I feel. My 400mm Sigma lens was at it's limits. Adam Robertson from Australia was the winner. (as well as the prize money he gets a Scottish battle sword!! - love to see that getting through customs). Sorry, I didn't take my flash . . . . .