With warmer weather approaching, it's the perfect time to head down to the beach and try your hand at one of photography's most beloved action subjects — surfing. Surf photography is exciting and rewarding, but like any action genre, it takes a little time and the right equipment to get right. Here's our concise guide to get you started.
Dipping Your Toes in the Water
The equipment you choose will depend on your budget and your approach. If you want to get up close to the action and get your feet wet, you'll need a waterproof camera or an underwater housing to protect your gear from the surf.
Waterproof compact cameras are a great starting point — purpose-built to handle splashes, drops, and submersion without a second thought. For capturing video, an action camera like the latest GoPro is hard to beat, helping surfers and photographers alike relive their best moments in stunning quality.
Under some circumstances, the best approach is to stay safely on land. This reduces risk to your gear, but you'll need to find a way to get a tight frame on your subject. A mirrorless camera with a telephoto lens of 200mm or longer is a popular choice — giving you the reach to fill the frame from the shore. A superzoom compact camera is another option, offering long magnifications without the need to swap lenses.
Making a Splash: Essential Tips
Learn your camera's basic settings — Understanding shutter speed, aperture, and ISO before you hit the beach will make a real difference to your results. Check out our Simple Guide to Shutter Speed as a starting point — fast shutter speeds are essential for freezing wave action.
Take plenty of photos — With memory cards offering huge storage at low prices, there's no reason to hold back. Shoot in bursts and review often — the winning shot is usually one of many.
Wait for the right light — Lighting is everything in photography, and surf photography is no exception. The golden hour — shortly after sunrise or before sunset — produces warm, directional light that makes waves and water come alive. Midday sun creates harsh contrast and glare off the water, so plan your sessions accordingly.
Ready to gear up? Browse Ted's full range of waterproof cameras, action cameras, and telephoto lenses online, or visit your nearest Ted's store for personalised advice.