Schools Out - Surfs Up

[Barry Beckham]

This has been quite a battle to create something that matched the subject, without being obvious with the choice of music. Wipeout or a Beach Boys track are those obvious choices I wanted to avoid.

Music is a Queen Track called Schools out, Surfs up . Top of this page for PC and Mac

http://www.beckhamdigital.co.uk/slideshows_3.html

[deskjet1uk]

Hello Barry,

as ever you have produced a really good show and also as ever, fantastic photography. I really like the sound track.

My son and partner have just gifted each other wet suits for Christmas and plan to visit Scarborough the week after new year with me tagging along to hopefully take some shots of them so your show is excellent timing and given me some idea's and inspiration.

Once again the timing of slides to music is first class, I particularly like the transformations.

Regarding the photography, great exposures as always.

Makes me want to take up surfing, but not in the cold north sea here in the UK.

regards

ralph

[Barry Beckham]

Ralph

I expect surfing has more appeal when the sea temp is closer to 24c than 14c :rolleyes:/> I have been amongst surfers in Australia for 4 years, but the conditions need to be right to capture some good shots. You need a bright sunny day, but that gives you exposure problems holding the contrast and highlights, but not all surfers have the skills to make good subjects. Then you need the right location or the surfers are either too far out or always coming straight at you.

For a subject that is so common here, I found this show difficult to shoot and create.

[trailertrash]

Brilliant Barry. Thats a keeper. I love the fast pace and the images within the larger images. I envy your imagination.

[deskjet1uk]

Ralph

I expect surfing has more appeal when the sea temp is closer to 24c than 14c :rolleyes:/>/> I have been amongst surfers in Australia for 4 years, but the conditions need to be right to capture some good shots. You need a bright sunny day, but that gives you exposure problems holding the contrast and highlights, but not all surfers have the skills to make good subjects. Then you need the right location or the surfers are either too far out or always coming straight at you.

For a subject that is so common here, I found this show difficult to shoot and create.

Hi Barry,

I really appreciate the advice you have given me and hopefully it will also help others, looks like my tripod will get its feet wet.

I'm hoping we do have some sunshine on the day but I have been concentrating on exposures and am refusing to use the auto setting on my camera, so fingers crossed.

regards

Ralph

[Barry Beckham]

Ralf

A tripod is not so good for this type of photography, you need the freedom to hand hold. Set your camera focus to AI Servo, set your drive to continuous and if the surfers are moving right to left, set your focus point on the right. That way you are in control of composition, framing and you can follow the surfers as they move.

Just do a couple of test shots with your camera to shutter priority and once you can see from the LCD that the exposures are OK, then forget the exposure and concentrate on panning with the surfers and getting the shots sharp. If you can shoot later in the day, you will get the shutter speeds you need without that real harsh light of midday shooting. Good luck.

PS, you will need to shoot 500 to find 50 good ones, if your lucky :blink:/> Some times you get a great sharp shot, but the surfer is too static.

[Barry Beckham]

TrailerTrash

Select the music first and let that guide and inspire you, that's what I do. The images are them produced from Raw files one at a time

[deskjet1uk]

Ralf

A tripod is not so good for this type of photography, you need the freedom to hand hold. Set your camera focus to AI Servo, set your drive to continuous and if the surfers are moving right to left, set your focus point on the right. That way you are in control of composition, framing and you can follow the surfers as they move.

Just do a couple of test shots with your camera to shutter priority and once you can see from the LCD that the exposures are OK, then forget the exposure and concentrate on panning with the surfers and getting the shots sharp. If you can shoot later in the day, you will get the shutter speeds you need without that real harsh light of midday shooting. Good luck.

PS, you will need to shoot 500 to find 50 good ones, if your lucky :blink:/>/> Some times you get a great sharp shot, but the surfer is too static.

Hi Barry,

Thank you for your reply and further advice.

I'm getting used to the camera now and I,m sure my photography is coming up to scratch.

I did not intend to use the tripod, I should of said ill get the waders on.

I intend to take my laptop along and view your sequence again prior to shooting and if I get 50 good ones ill be thrilled and ill make sure I have an extra card with me.

thank you again

ralph