Surf Photography

So I'm really hot and heavy on the idea of doing Surfing Photography and I can't stop thinking about it. My first major obstacles are going to be getting a really big lens and a water housing for my camera so I can get in the water with the surfers and take pictures close up. Due to the cost of the big lenses I think I will stick to renting them for now and put some money into a water housing.

I've been searching the web far and wide for information on housings and I was surprised to find several manufactuers making them. One that really caught my eye is the Mike Waggoner Custom. I've been in contact with Mike over the past couple days and I think I'm going to do it. I'll be able to use the housing with all the types of the sports photography I'm doing including kitesurfing and wave surfing. Looks like the final cost with all options I want will be somewhere around $2100. I'll have to send both my camera body and lens of choice to Mike so he can begin creating the housing. What he will do is put the camera in a vacuum bag and then create a perfect mold using carbon fiber that will fit my camera like a glove. I'll have to wait until after the New Year so I can save up some money.

I have a couple friends who live and surf in Santa Cruz and they are more than willing to take me out into the water and teach me how to read the waves and where I need to be to get the action shots without getting eatin up and spit out by the waves.

I can't wait...

Comments

[loren]

sweeeeeet

[craig]

Hi...yeah I know how you feel on searching for the right housing....I live down under in Australia and I had a taste of surf photography in the water for 4 months in indo......let me tell you the reason your probably always thinking of getting close up in the action and taking shots.....it goes off.....the whole processis win win win.....I have gone digital and currently am waiting for my latest camera to be housed...cannon rebel.....I have been chatting with flame in the US and he still believes the best shots are still on film....and I would have to agree on that for now....but digital present instant communication with the surfer in the zone and when your travelling with your laptop and top make printer.....freelance surf photography travel around the world goes off.....so hope to see you out there one day.....your thoughts and passion are taking you too great adventures and great crew from around the world......oh....tip......good fats diving fins and train with your strength in swimming......to get the best shots get in there...enjoy
your sincerly Craig

[sean labrie]

hey next time you want a housing at half the cost and twice as strong check us out. just about everyone in santa cruz uses spl. thanks sean.

[maja_cliche]

i think wot you are doing is awesome...i wanna have something to do with photography in my future...i am only 16 but keen interested...some surf photos i have seen are so amazing and capture every little detail so well...go for it mate...see you in the wave.
kindest regards.

[thornton]

In your research for surfing housings, did you find any other options thatn sps and wags?
I am looking for a 10d housing for the winter so i have time before choosing.
I already shoot raceing sailboats but need to get in the water. I figure a surfing housing will give me options on what i shoot.

regards

[will]

Hey everyone
I'm a photography student and surfer way down here in nz. I am currently doin an assignment on the history of surf photography but i am finding it hard to find info. if anyone could help me out it would be greatly appreciated thanks
Will

[Dan Payne]

Looks like there are a lot of us in the same boat here.

Im from england and am looking for water housings to use in surf.

I have checked out so many companies, including spl (sean labrie company). He was very helpfull indeed with very quick responses.

At the moment I am still checking every avenue before making a decision.

As I dont want to ruin a camera I have spent a small fortune on.

I already have a canon eos 30 and was going to get the eos 10d, but think I may actually get the eos 1d mk2 as I want to start making some money off this hobby.

Also want one for a camcorder but not sure what camera to get yer.

[Matt Hipsley]

Hey,
Im from Australia and keen to get into surf photography. My mate has just recently brought a housing for his video camera. He got it from www.epiccam.com and it goes off. Best thing ever. Ive been thinking about getting a housing for a still camera but cant find a cheap but decent one. I dont know wether to get a SLR or just use my digital camera but it has shutter lag. Can anyone help me?

[Giuseppe Repetto]

Hello, I'm Italian Surf Photographer.
I have constructed my Water Housing for the Canon Eos 50e. I use always this Housing that works very well. But now I have intention to change to my Housing acquiring one Aquatech for the eos 1v, 3, 1d, 1Ds, 1DII. It has also like accessory the possibility to mount the external Speedlite.
This Housing is big and therefore I thought to acquire the model for the Canon Eos 30, why it has the Pistol smontabile Grip, easy to transport.
The price of the Housing for the Canon Eos 30 comprehensive of Pistol Grip and Front dome for Fish eye is about 1,100 USS. I task is convenient and practical.

[Giuseppe Repetto]

I forgotten to write that in my Website I have inserted a section dedicated to the Water Housing for all the systems.
http://www.photorepetto.com/Digital/Pagine/Giuseppe%20Repetto%20Photo%20Digital.htm

Keep Surfing
Giuseppe Repetto
http://www.photorepetto.com/

[matt]

Me and one of my mates are thinking of having a go at building our own still camera housing as we cant find a cheap enough one for surfing. We are thinking of basing our design around the epic video camera housings but with a pistol grip and getting seperate shutter release button and adding it to the pistol grip. We have got a design but we now are stuck on what materials to build it out off. Epic makes there casings out of Polycarbonate. Does anyone know where to get some Polycarbonate tubing and a flat sheet in Australia? or of any other sort of materials that would be suitable to make this housing out of?

[dominic]

I live in Costa Rica,I use an eos 30d with a 15mm fish eye lens,I have been involved in rodeo and extreme kayaking,photo journo work and am now going to do surf photos,I have been trying to find the best value housing for this rig.A lot of scuba type housings around,but at trip over the falls in double overhead hermosa is inevitable,I need something robust and shipable to Costa Rica..Any ideas?

[Thomas]

I go to the beach a lot with my buddies and was looking for a housing. I also would like to be able to take it up snowboarding, so it has to be light and small. I have a sony TRV27 video camera. Please email me with any help.
Thanks, Thomas

[angus]

hello everyone, thomas jan/12. i have a housing for a trv which is solid as they come but light. operated by reed switches. have had it out in some big surf 10ft+ and its been fine. i'm changing to stills for a bit so if your interested get in touch. its on ebay at the moment for a mere £80. it cost £400 new. cheapest i could find anywhere and its done me proud. have a look at www.birchleyproducts.co.uk if your thinking about a housing anyway. angus