2023 started off with a bang on the West Coast. Big waves, er towering monsters, were providing dramatic moments as the watermen and waterwomen paddled out to meet these challenges day after day. Photogs were clicking away from the shore and we were producing awesome images on a daily basis. Then the ocean went flat. What to do?

This is the surfer’s dilemma. When you are at work or school, the swell is big; when you have the coveted day off, the Pacific backs off. The photog’s dilemma is similar, but with the added element of the sun. When the sun is out, the potential for stellar pictures exists but when the clouds or drizzle appear, color disappears. So what happens when the sun is out, but the surf is small? A lot!

Shooting surfing in small waves can still yield incredible results. My solution is generally to zoom in. With a closeup perspective, the viewer becomes more focused on the actual movement of the surfer and, perhaps if you’re lucky, their expression. Details emerge that you might not see in a more traditional pulled back perspective: Droplets of water frozen in mid air; the placement of the surfer’s foot; the concentration showing on their face.

The up close view also has the affect of bringing the viewer into the action. When the viewer sees how the spray shoots off the tail of the board and where the surfer’s eyes are looking, the viewer immediately feels the tension and maybe even mind-surfs the next turn. This unconscious involvement in the action is what separates a good image from a great one.

So how to get close? If shooting from land, this requires a long lens. I shoot with Canon gear and my go-to shore lens is a 500mm fixed focus lens. Depending on how far from shore the surfers are, I may also ad a 1.4x multiplier that gives me the equivalent of 700mm of glass. Not only does this allow me to get close with crystal clear precision, but it also condenses the depth of field, resulting in a very tight action shot. Secondly, a tripod is essential for image clarity. The weight of my camera and lens makes it virtually impossible to hand hold the setup. I use a tripod with a gimble mount that allows me to smoothly follow the action up and down and side to side with no restriction.

So next time the sun is up, but the surf is small, don’t despair. Hit the shores, bring out the big lens, and get close!

For more cool images, please visit “Sessions” on my website by clicking HERE