Advance notice, Uncle Jaffa's Beginner Surf Photography.

[jaffa1949]

Surf Patrol asked and I put my hand up , to post a thread on the beginners guide to surf photography and maybe video.
I'm a beginner along the way and I'm still in the FAQ myself stages with some of the stuff I do but I plan to research and answer questions thereby increasing my knowledge and yours.
A couple of my thoughts, I always plan to take good shots at the camera stage and not do a lot of covr up work ing photoshop or whatever.
I use a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera EOS550D and an EOS400D I have various lenses ( more about that later).
I plan to introduce you to going from little clicky do everything smart phones and cameras to the cameras that professional photographers use even it is at the entrance level of shooting.
I am going to work at a budget level so that yo may be able to buy into that level.
I will favour no particular brand or computer platform ( I work from a Mac) but talk on basic techniques, I might also get it wrong but I have enough humbleness to eat pie and let someone else offer a guide post in the wilderness.
You can FAQ as often as you want, if I don't know the answer I go have a look and come back.

A generic warning here, this may not get you to professional level, people will want your pictures especially if it enhances their ego, ask them to pay a little to support your passion.

Costs
Camera, lenses, filters, computer, paper good and medium ( doesn't your work deserve the best display), printing if you go to bigger than your printer. Inks the list goes on , so you see why they need to pay a little.
Choices shoot your friends or surf with them that's another cost>
Enough for now
Put your FAQs up and we'll begin>

[drowningbitbybit]

...and then I'll come along and be completely contrary and confuse everyone

...then Jimi will come along and confuse things a bit more





Seriously though - good on you Jaffa for taking up the challenge

[jaffa1949]

I'll arrange it so both you and Jimmy get FAQ or two too!

Digital photography has killed at least one great, pick up line "come into the dark room and we'll see what develops!"

Anyway we'll see what develops!

[surf patrol]

The limit of my knowledge is pretty much point and shoot. I have a Canon SX1 IS which is pretty much idiot proof for taking snaps. I'd like to see if I can get some surf shots out of it. On the plus side, it can shoot at 4fps, and does have a 20x optical zoom.
I'd like to find out more

Can a smart phone really get a good surf shot these days?

(sticked this topic for a bit of exposure )

[esonscar]

I come from an XP1 and Cibachrome background, and just recently ceased as a semi pro for a rather huuugggee online retailer (still there but new role) so I'm looking forward to Jaffas exploits and writings on Surf Photography to bring me an insight I currently do not posses [with all the ups and downs too I hope!]

[jaffa1949]

I come from an XP1 and Cibachrome backround, and just recently ceased as a semi pro for a rather huuugggee online retailer (still there but new role) so I'm looking forward to Jaffas exploits and writings on Surf Photography to bring me an insight I currently do not posses [with all the ups and downs too I hope!]

This is getting scary but I'm still OK with it. one interesting thing that is starting to show its head is that various models have different names in different countries.EEEK

[Jimi]

I've just put together a bit of a primer on surf photos too, so hopefully when all our powers combine we will have the most comprehensive photography advice on the interweb!

http://filteredlights.com/surf/guide.pdf

Downloadable from my own site as pdf file.

[chrismuellet8492]

That is a great, unselfish thing to do Jaffa. I currently downright suck at snapping shots and look forward to getting some good info from you.

[jaffa1949]

I've just put together a bit of a primer on surf photos too, so hopefully when all our powers combine we will have the most comprehensive photography advice on the interweb!

http://filteredlights.com/surf/guide.pdf

Downloadable from my own site as pdf file.

That is one very useful PDF Jimi.

The basic Jaffa posting is now available just read down further and is covering the comparisons of the little boxy clicky things and why they don't rate for surf photography.
If you want shots like this read on

Dog Reef .Indo secret surf spot.

[surf patrol]

Jimi's guide is up on the main site at http://www.surfing-waves.com/surf-photography.htm.
Great stuff Jimi, many thanks.

[Jimi]

no worries! layout looks good too

[drowningbitbybit]

Jimi's guide is up on the main site at http://www.surfing-waves.com/surf-photography

I was really hoping there was something I could vehemently disagree with in there, but there wasn't

[Jimi]

Phew! I was a little worried what you'd think dbbb!

[surf patrol]

now kiss

[jaffa1949]

My beginners guide works on the KISS system

[esonscar]

Okay - I promised myself I would no but into this topic but . . . GREY CARDS - GREY CARDS! Buy a photographic grey card, take an exposure reading offof this and hey presto - enough light information to make a decent photograph. As you get used to the Grey Card you'll be be able adjust the manual settings on any camera to get the shot you want. If the Grey Card reading shows the light is too dim - it's too dim end of - not your fault, then stop taking pics and go home to Photoshop for the ultimate image.

This is literally the first video I found on Utube about Grey Cards . . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ8lPKmYGc4

[jaffa1949]

Hi why did you promise yourself you wouldn't butt in? That video is a great piece of information, Uncle Jaffa only know some beginner's stuff so every hint helps, me and somebody else along the line.
I have no problems being shown if I'm wrong, again because it helps.
Gray cards everybody correct your exposure and figure out your white balance and temperatures.
Check the video

THANKS

[drowningbitbybit]

One small correction to that video... if you're using spot metering then you don't need to fill the frame with the card, you can just select that spot when you do the metering. This is important if what you're photographing isn't in exactly the same light as where you're taking the photo from.
...it also stops you putting a shadow over the card as you hold it without realising...