Whilst visiting family and friends in Sydney, Australia, I was drawn, with my cameras, to the beach and the surfing – an area of photography that had eluded me during my thirty years downunder.
From the swimming pools at Dee Why and Curl Curl beach, I was able to get close enough to use my Canon EF70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM on one of my 7D’s, and was surprised at how clear the images were. Maybe it’s because I’m used to the grey, dull and flat English weather that I wasn’t expecting such clarity. Well, there was no stopping me now, what with the good light and plenty of action.
I took loads of sharp frozen action shots but after a few hours of those I wanted something more from the images. That’s when I went from a 1/2500 sec down to 1/15 or 1/10 sec to capture a sense of movement. These images, although not crystal clear, have energy and excitement that the ‘frozen’ ones don’t have.
On my last day, packed and ready to return to UK, the surf was huge and the spume was flowing! The rocky shorelines and beach swimming pools were lined with spectators watching the waves pound the rocks and walls. I got some great shots of spray, waves and only brave/mad surfers. Youth has no fear!
I hope with these images to convey the excitement that the surfers experience as they pursue their exhilarating calling!
Enjoy!
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