HaliSowle

Contemplation

Surfer taking a few minutes rest

Surfer taking a few minutes rest
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Aperture f/10.0 ISO 640 Shutter 1/1000

upload_date

Jul, 2013

Views

801

Likes

+41

Awards

Contest Finalist in Water and Sand Photo Contest

Peer Award

+17

Superb Composition

Top Choice

Outstanding Creativity

Absolute Masterpiece

Exceptional Contrast

Jaw Dropping

Great Find

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 30 rank

Top 10 rank

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 20 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

I took this photo on Second (Sachuest) Beach, in Middletown, RI

Time

This was taken in the fairly early morning, during a period where we had a pretty good swell gracing the shore. There were lots of surfers in and out of the water.

Lighting

The light was fairly overcast and soft, with a lot of light reflecting off the water and the spray.

Equipment

I was using a Canon 5DM3, and a Canon 500mm f/4.0 lens.

Inspiration

I love shooting surfers, it is so dynamic, they move so beautifully with the water riding the wave or doing tricks. But there is another side, it's the quiet contemplation of a surfer before he goes into the water as he stretches out and gets the feel of the ocean. I saw this surfer sitting in the zone and couldn't resist taking the shot.

Editing

I processed this image in lightroom and then converted it to monochrome in Silver Efex Pro2. There wasn't much color in the shot to start with and black and white really makes me focus on the solitude of the image.

In my camera bag

I think the question is better said what I don't have in my bag, when we go places I can't believe how much photography gear I pack. For a normal trip I have my favorite lens - the Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro, the 70-200 f/2.8, 24-105 f/4 and the 16-35 f/2.8 and of course the big gun - the 500mm f/4. I currently shoot with a Canon 5DM3 and for wildlife a 1DMIV. I have lately gotten into infrared shooting and have a Canon 7D converted to a 720nm IR spectrum.

Feedback

If you want to shoot surfers go out and do it as often as possible, talk with them and find out what conditions are best (off-shore wind, long period swell), learn the lingo and learn how to read the charts, and if you can get in the water yourself to know what the surfers feel like, it will teach you good timing, when the action occurs and how best to catch it. But also be alert for shots like this one, look along the beach, find surfers going in or getting out of the water, shoot their boards and their expressions. There is so much to shoot at the beach when the surf is up.

See more amazing photos, follow HaliSowle

HaliSowle

HaliSowle

Contemplation

Surfer taking a few minutes rest

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow HaliSowle

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