thetradewindsgallery

bethany 2

NIKON D3S

Aperture f/8 ISO 400 Shutter 1/1600 Focal Length 7000/10

upload_date

Apr, 2016

Views

364

Likes

+12

Awards

People's Choice in Life is better when you surf Photo Challenge

Winner in Watersports Photo Challenge

Magnificent Capture

Top Choice

Superb Composition

Peer Award

All Star

Absolute Masterpiece

Superior Skill

Top Ranks

Top 20 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

This was taken on the north end of Maui during the month of January when the swells are larger.

Time

This was truly a lucky shot because the surfer, Bethany Hamilton, lives on Kauai but was on Maui shooting a video this day. My son and I were driving the coast of Maui looking for shots to take. It was about 2:00 in the afternoon and we happened across a group of surfers hitting the big waves on the north end. Once we settled in with our monopods we noticed who was surfing so we stayed around a got some shots.

Lighting

The lighting for this shot was full sun during the afternoon. It was shining from off to the left of the photo which lit up the surfers perfectly. I would like to say I planned it that way but I just lucked into the right situation at the right time.

Equipment

This was shot using a Nikon D3s with a Nikon 200-500mm f5.6 lens and a Nikon 1.4 tele-converter all mounted on a monopod.

Inspiration

I was in paradise looking for photos to take and luck was with me. To see Bethany Hamilton surfing was a real treat and to have the right equipment with me at the right time made it even better. The inspiration for this photo was being in the right place at the right time.

Editing

I adjusted the contrast and cropped the photo in CS5.

In my camera bag

On a trip to Hawaii I have a little bit of everything in my bag. When I go to Maui I shoot landscapes, underwater and action shots so I carry everything I think I might need. That includes a 16mm fisheye f2.8 lens, a 20mm 1.8 lens, a 16-35mm f4 lens, a 28-300mm lens, a 200-500mm f5.6 lens, a 1.4 and 2x tele-converter, two camera bodies, an Ikelite underwater housing for the D800 with two Ikelite underwater strobes, a tripod and a monopod and a lots and lots of memory cards.

Feedback

To capture a good surfing shot you really need the right equipment. You need to be able to shoot fast, at least 7 frames per second and you need to have the reach to get the shot you need which means having a long (and sometimes expensive) lens. You need to have the correct angle on the shot so the sun is lighting the subject and waves so you can see the details. In a lot of instances you just need some luck. With surfing the waves have to be just right and that doesn't happen every day which means the surfers aren't out all the time. Watch the surf or get an app for you phone so that you can check several locations near you to see where the best surfing is.

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thetradewindsgallery

thetradewindsgallery

bethany 2

Behind The Lens

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