4 Tips to Help You Take Better Surfing Videos and Photos
For many video enthusiasts, shooting surfing forage is one big challenge they look forward to. On one side, the prospect of capturing some great moments on camera looks tempting. And on the other side, the difficulty of handling the camera while shooting the waves can look daunting. So, if you are planning on shooting a surfing video anytime soon, then the below tips will definitely help you get better at it.
Positioning
The first thing you have to decide when taking surfing videos and photos is the position of the camera. The best spot where the camera should be in is right at the top of the surfers, just parallel to the wave at the moment it is breaking off. Ideally, you should focus on capturing the picture in a way that it shows where the surfer is heading off to. Generally, a wide angle lens is suitable for shooting surf videos.
Exposure
An important thing to look for when dealing with surfing shots is the exposure of the camera. Keep in mind that you are shooting water mostly during bright sunlight. As such, if you do not set the exposure correctly, then there is a great risk that the flare from the water might make the picture look too bright and unappealing. So, always check the histogram of the camera to ensure that the brighter portions of the shot are not getting clipped. Otherwise, you will lose out the details on the water. You might also have to use ND filter to deal with the issue. So, be sure to have them with you when going to capture surfing footage.
Master The Settings
Be very sure that you have complete mastery over the settings of the camera. This is because an ideal shot can come into your sight at any moment when you are shooting surfing videos. As such, if you are not too adept at quickly changing the settings of the camera, then you might miss the shot. Maybe you have to change the exposure a bit or focus it on another spot. Whatever be the reason, if you are not able to change the settings instantaneously, you will be left fumbling with the settings and will definitely miss out on what could have been a great surfing video.
Safety Protocols
Be very careful when using your camera for surfing videography. If you get too close to the water, then the waves can crash into the camera and take it down to the bottom of the beach. Now, even if the camera is far away from any waves, the salt water from the ocean can spray into the camera from time to time. This can not only affect the lenses, but also the internal components of the camera, even damaging it permanently in some cases. So, set up necessary safety protocols to ensure that your camera is completely protected from even a drop of ocean water. This will ensure that you are able to shoot some incredible surfing footage without causing damage to the camera in any way.
