iso 200, f/8, 1/125

As surf photographers, we love and pray for the perfect mix of sunshine, swell, and talented surfers. It can be a frustrating wait as the best swells generally come with stormy skies. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with different tones to create mood in an otherwise bland image. Here is what I found…

iso 200 f/8 1/160

When the sky offers nothing but grey, I still shoot with as high of a shutter speed as possible to freeze the action. This, however, requires a very large aperture to get in enough light. Large aperture means a shallow depth of field. So as long as the focus is spot on, it should work out fine. In editing, I then use the subject for correct lighting and then up the exposure for the background. Depending on the image, I may also temper that background exposure to show the line of the wave with a hint of color. The result is a pretty cool and dreamy image.

ISO 100, f/4, 1/400

Another technique I’ve been implementing of late is what I call the grit. I like to use this when the background and setup is good, but the lighting wasn’t perfect. For this type of edit, I crank up the shadows, texture and clarity while bringing down the contrast. Then I take out all the color other than red, orange and a touch of yellow. I really like how dramatic this look can be with the eye drawn to the skin or wetsuit of the surfer.

ISO 100, f/4, 1/640

With this type of editing, I have radically changed my approach to surf photography. Now there is no such thing as a bad day! Accepting what nature gives and working with the day’s offering has been a fun experiment and has expanded my photography considerable. Don’t be afraid to experiment; the results may really surprise you!