Getting Started With In-Water Surf Photography

Surf photography is my biggest passion, especially swimming and shooting from the water. I’ve had many people ask me over the years how I do it, what equipment I use and how to get started. I thought I would write up a little guide with tips and things to know if you want to try it out for yourself. If you are a surfer or simply a photographer that enjoys shooting surfers from land, here are some things you need to know before upgrading your equipment and slipping on the swim fins:

1. Get yourself a reliable camera and water housing 

To be able to get a good housing without breaking the bank, you will want a popular camera body such as a Canon or Nikon [1]. It could be difficult to find the right housing for a lesser known camera body. I have a Canon 5d miii and it has been reliable for years now. The best housings on the market in my opinion are SPL water housing and CMT housings. These are both custom made housing to fit your camera and your needs. Some other housings are either strictly for diving photos, or are just not reliable. I have heard many stories of people losing their camera from Aqua-tech housings because there are just a few clamps to put it together that can easily come undone. 

2. Invest in prime lenses

Prime lenses are the best for surf photography, they create amazing depth of field and it is less likely that you will need to buy multiple ports. My top three lenses for the water are my 24mm, 50mm, and 85mm. I usually decide on what lens to use based on how big the waves are or how bad the current is. For example, on a really big day or if there is tons of current I will not use my 24mm because I know I won’t be able to get close enough to the surfer. 

3. Go to your local surf shop and try on different swim fins

Comfortable fins that fit you correctly are a game changer, and this took me years to realize. Make sure you try on all the different brands from Dafin to Churchills. The right size and fit will limit the chances of getting cramps in your feet and moving fast to get the right shot. 

4. Start swimming laps

To shoot surf photographer in the water, you must be a good swimmer and always know what the ocean is doing. If you have access to a pool, start swimming laps to get your endurance up, or just go out on flat days and practice. You have to know where to sit in the inside of the waves to get the right angles when the waves are good. This means constantly kicking and swimming under sets to  get the shot. It takes some serious physically ability. 

5. Find some talented surfers to photograph

Lastly, check the report and get some people to photograph! I find it much easier to get good photos of surfers that know what they are doing. You are less likely to get in their way, or mess up a shot. Shooting surfers that aren’t as comfortable in the water could be dangerous when you are going right up to them to get a shot [2]. 

1. Arney, M. (January, 2015). A Guide to Getting Started at In-Water Surf Photography, with Damea Dorsey. Retrieved April 10, 2019, from, https://surfsimply.com/surf-photography/a-guide-to-getting-started-at-in-water-surf-photography-with-damea-dorsey/

2. Moniz, S. (n/d). 5 Tips for Surf Photography. Retrieved April 10, 2019, from, http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/5-tips-for-surf-photography