I did some surfer photography last year on the west coast of Vancouver Island and I agree with you, it is hard. I'm looking forward to going back again next year!
Hello we hope all is well . Monkey is so cute . Thanks so much for sharing we are sorry we have not connected to you for a few weeks as we were stranded in Malta as our flights were cancelled twice . so we had a few things going on Love and Light Sarah and Glenn
That's exactly what I was gonna say. A bit of a drive for Brendan from Lagos though ;-) I stayed in Peniche 2 years ago. Lots of surfers there as well. But I was there at the wrong wave season.
I liked the out of focus shot. Feels like heat is making the scene hazy. Shooting birds and kids soccer games has got me thinking I could do surf photography. I had opportunity to get the Kite Surfers at Zumba in California and I came away with some nice shots. I was doing handheld because I was shooting fast enough.
Really fun video Brendan! You nicely captured the atmoshere of that stunning evening. Damn, I miss travel, but watching your vids makes it a lot better :)
For changing light try the Fv mode. Set the Av, Tv accordingly and ISO to Auto ISO. Canon put the Fv there for a reason. For minor adjustments the exposure compensation is there. It takes time to like Fv, but it is one of the great tools in Canon mirrorless cameras.
I've looked back at some of my earlier pics and found that I have been following James' advice, I'd been cutting the heads off people so you can't see how tall they are. Same right?
That does look quite challenging, but at least you can have fun watching the surfers at the same time! That was always a highlight of mine when I have visited the coast of California in the past.
You will have to try and get up to Nazare when they have the monster waves. Really great video....you did mention at 400mm shooting at 1600. Was that for action sports? With my Sigma 120-400 I stick to a 2x factor (wildlife and stationary birds) for focal length vs shutter speed...am i shooting too slow? And Monkey is too cute!
Hello Brandon. First off I want to tell you that I love your videos. As a wildlife photographer (no this is not to tell you what you're doing wrong. But to maybe give you some helpful hints) when you're shooting action or fast moving birds. Single point focus, continuous focus, manual mode with auto ISO (set your max ISO to how ever much grain you're willing to accept) shutter speed to 1/4000 and your aperture to how much you want the background to be in focus. And ditch the tripod and hand hold the camera. And don't let your finger off the shutter button. Put the blogging camera on the tripod. By doing this your success rate should go way up.
how do you find the curved monitor for editing? Does it make it hard to gets lines straight? Also, is your screen in front of the window? I don't think that's a good idea cos the bright in the background messes with your eyes and you can't judge contrast properly
Yeah, I've been using surf-forecast. But since I wasn't planning on surfers, I was just checking swell and the two are different (due to the type of breaks , I think).
Were you exclusively shooting from the tripod or did you go hand held and back button follow focus at some point? Which sounds like I'm saying you should have, but I'm not.
I was always on the tripod. Mostly because the swells were kind of crazy and I didn't want to lay in the sand and get hit. But also because holding a camera that long is hard haha
Been in the exact same spot and took photos of surfer pretty much exactly three years ago, but the sea back then was way calmer and not that many surfers in the water. Really like the first shot with the motion blur. Very abstract but really nice!
So nice to hear you call your grandfather 'Opa'. No doubt, this is because of your Dutch descent! Simba doesn't look very messy though. Thumbs up from the Netherlands 👍👍
There was some really really cool shots in there ! I have the same feeling sometimes after a photo shoot... I think I have nothing good, and then on the computer you find a few gems.
Ok Brendan, wildlife you use continuous burst shooting; apply that to your surfers, you''ll get more keepers, do it hand held, anchor yourself 3 points! Use your cross body strap for this kind of work. Just remember your reciprocals for the 100-400 lens and you should be good. Last piece of advice, breathe. I loved the motion blur image that was kick ass!
Watching all the Nazaré videos comming out now from last week is definitively more exiting. So this seems to be only the wrong beach. How far is Nazaré away from your spot?
Here's my 2 bits worth. Hand hold camera, up the iso somewhat, single point back button focus and use high continuous shooting, 5 frames or more, 10 to 20 per second is even better. Works for wild horses west of RMH. Big Horn sheep, Goats, Grizz and Bald Eagles in Jasper. Love your videos of your new home. Give me a shout if you ever make it back to Rocky.
Great video! Surf photography is tough for sure. My favorite of the images you showed was the bodyboarder shot at 12:22 beautiful wave, beautiful composition and light. As a lifelong bodyboarder/waterman, I can imagine myself on that wave, something that a good photo does. The panning shot was really nice too. Great job.
I wondered if you'd get those Atlantic Waves we had last week here in Cornwall. I had a really exhilarating day photographing them, on my birthday no less! I did find the resulting fatigue editing down the resultant 2000 images to just a handful quite tough. but it was worth it!
Those photos you didn't get look great🤔 It must be frustrating spending time on the beach in the sun😎 listening to the waves hitting the shore and allowing your imagination to run wild 🏄♀️🏄♂️. That being said the Canon 100-400mm is a great lens 👍👍 one of my favorites😍
Not being judgmental, these are actual questions/statements: Stopping down the aperture? Like f/4? My lens is f/5.6 max at 400mm. Or do you mean a more narrow aperture like f/8, which I would then definitely not be able to lower the iso. Can't get closer to have a background. Physically impossible. The water is there. I mean, without getting in the waves. What's the best focal length for surfing? Personally, I don't think there is one. It's whatever distance/scene you're trying to capture. Thanks!
The big waves and best surf photography opportunities in Portugal are in Nazare. Go there when these types of swells are predicted. Look it up on line You will be amazed.
Beautiful shots despite your first impressions. If you ever get back to California try Rincon Beach south of Santa Barbara. Similar surf but in a much more intimate setting and nearer to the surfers.
@@BrendanvanSon today I did Kitesurf handheld photography almost on the top of my car in Lisbon, but in case the chair is always inside the car. Hugs and stay safe
One thing I have learned about surf photography is that they move their arms before moving their bodies, so you can antecipate what they will do next. Great vid!
This was pretty cool mate - different. I don't know if it was hard but maybe difficult would be a better word I think. Hey have you done a video on what you do with your images? If you keep them all and where do they live and what you might save etc? That second last image was awesome.
Love the photos. Love those glasses! I had red frames back in the day. Now that I'm retired and doing the artsy-photo-vlogger thing, I might go back to hipster frames myself. Also, surfer fails can make good images. P.S. - that "cut off the top" trick works with trees and waterfalls, too. I remember Mads Peter Iverson mentioning it during an Iceland video.
I love the representation of scale when you have the cliffs behind them. I really like the 12:21 like you said it leaves that imagination to how big that cliff is behind them. And honestly, 16:56 isn't bad, really to me it's that blend of the fast pace of humans against the stillness of earth itself. There's some deep interpretation with that shot.
If it wasn't difficult it wouldn't be fun ... ;) Leave the tripod and handheld that lens (I have one and the IS is awesome). Raise that Shutter Speed, Crank up that ISO on Auto and use Topaz Denoise AI if necessary. Great photos.
Thanks for the video, Brendan. It is good to get out on a beautiful day and try something different. I believe you were successful with getting some awesome shots! By the way, when is the marriage going to happen? I remember that you and Jodi got engaged, but maybe I missed the marriage announcement....
Chris is able to get the shots he wants because he is on assignment with professional surfers. You said it doesnt have much with the surfer themselves which couldnt be any less accurate. On top of the surfers he works with being highly skilled professionals he can also communicate with them as to what he wants to accomplish and they work together to get that shot. It is a totally different ballgame than what you are doing in this video. Chris is playing t-ball, you are switch hitting fast pitch with an eyepatch on.
Some time ago I stopped watching BvS’s videos because for some reason I became fixated on how he wears that stupid cap backwards ALL the time, even indoors at night. Nothing has changed!
I hope so! I feel like I'm pretty demanding already - in terms of what I actually use. I just share a lot. But, having more time should mean more time to really focus on improving.
These photos are actually great, but is it me or are in these images all the highlights blown out? Maybe that's because of the backlight. Also @JamesPopsys is right about cutting of the top of cliff (and I might gift you something to cut of your beard, Santa). And don't forget: the rule of cool.
It was all backlit, so some might be a bit blown out. Me personally, I don't care about dynamic range as much as others. If it's blown out, and there was nothing of interest there anyways, I don't mind.
you are absolutely right about the background making the shots SO MUCH better! EPIC shots!!!
I love that second to last pic in this video. It looks like a painting. Just too cool.
I did some surfer photography last year on the west coast of Vancouver Island and I agree with you, it is hard. I'm looking forward to going back again next year!
Captured so beautifully, awesome stuff
I love all your photos, but that out of focus surfer one is actually really cool. It's showing movement which is great
Hello we hope all is well . Monkey is so cute . Thanks so much for sharing we are sorry we have not connected to you for a few weeks as we were stranded in Malta as our flights were cancelled twice . so we had a few things going on Love and Light Sarah and Glenn
You should go to Nazare. Apparently, the surf season with waves over 10 meters has now started there.
That's exactly what I was gonna say. A bit of a drive for Brendan from Lagos though ;-) I stayed in Peniche 2 years ago. Lots of surfers there as well. But I was there at the wrong wave season.
You can easily get 20+ meter waves at this time of the year, same in February.
New drinking game ... have a shot every time Brendan says 'It's really hard' in this video! LOL!
Great video. Nice to see you step (way) out of your comfort zone.
I liked the out of focus shot. Feels like heat is making the scene hazy. Shooting birds and kids soccer games has got me thinking I could do surf photography. I had opportunity to get the Kite Surfers at Zumba in California and I came away with some nice shots. I was doing handheld because I was shooting fast enough.
loved the music in this particular video
I hadd a similar experience in Bermuda trying to photograph kite surfers; much more difficult than photographing birds.
Really fun video Brendan! You nicely captured the atmoshere of that stunning evening. Damn, I miss travel, but watching your vids makes it a lot better :)
Wow some of them were just brilliant. I loved it. Another great video with good instructional content and fun.
I can’t wait for your videos.
Bunny rabbits and photography. This is the video I SHOULD have been watching on November 3rd while life here sorted, or unsorted, itself.
Lov'n the 3rd shot, lik'n the panning shot nice one Brendan.
For changing light try the Fv mode. Set the Av, Tv accordingly and ISO to Auto ISO. Canon put the Fv there for a reason. For minor adjustments the exposure compensation is there. It takes time to like Fv, but it is one of the great tools in Canon mirrorless cameras.
The motion blur photo at the end was class.
Sweet! That first motion blur pic though! Woah!
That light kept getting better and better. It did look hard but super fun nonetheless.
I've looked back at some of my earlier pics and found that I have been following James' advice, I'd been cutting the heads off people so you can't see how tall they are. Same right?
Some cool shots there! And interesting tip on cutting off the cliff tops!
That does look quite challenging, but at least you can have fun watching the surfers at the same time! That was always a highlight of mine when I have visited the coast of California in the past.
Monkey looks like the perfect pet. He is adorable
You will have to try and get up to Nazare when they have the monster waves. Really great video....you did mention at 400mm shooting at 1600. Was that for action sports? With my Sigma 120-400 I stick to a 2x factor (wildlife and stationary birds) for focal length vs shutter speed...am i shooting too slow? And Monkey is too cute!
I liked those last two photos a lot. It showed the movement of the surfer and the waves. The second to last one reminds me of a painting. :)
Next day where there's good surf, I'm going to do a whole video on this. It turned out way better than I expected.
The out of focus surfer is brilliant. Love it
Thanks Mark, I'm going to make a series about it, I think!
Hello Brandon. First off I want to tell you that I love your videos. As a wildlife photographer (no this is not to tell you what you're doing wrong. But to maybe give you some helpful hints) when you're shooting action or fast moving birds. Single point focus, continuous focus, manual mode with auto ISO (set your max ISO to how ever much grain you're willing to accept) shutter speed to 1/4000 and your aperture to how much you want the background to be in focus. And ditch the tripod and hand hold the camera. And don't let your finger off the shutter button. Put the blogging camera on the tripod. By doing this your success rate should go way up.
I am so missing Portugal. A couple of years ago I got a few shots of surfers from Praia Nova I was happy with. Such a beautiful country!
It really is an amazing place!
how do you find the curved monitor for editing? Does it make it hard to gets lines straight?
Also, is your screen in front of the window? I don't think that's a good idea cos the bright in the background messes with your eyes and you can't judge contrast properly
Awesome change of pace episode with surf photography! I really liked the photos you shared...well done!
Glad you liked it!
I’ve never given a moment’s thought to surf photography before, but those were some pretty awesome shots!
Fun video with beautiful photos! If you look for a website or app that shows surf report, you may be able to see when the largest swells are expected.
Yeah, I've been using surf-forecast. But since I wasn't planning on surfers, I was just checking swell and the two are different (due to the type of breaks , I think).
16:19 min... your best photo ever, out of focus?? its a moving object and it worked simply great!!! 👍 P.s.- Gillete should sponsor you 😁
Yeah that's the great thing isn't it. Sometimes out of focus makes for a better image. I really love that photo.
hahaha. LOL @ gillete.
@@BrendanvanSon what hugo means is that the photography is actually in focus,but it has a nice moving effect. I like it
fantastic work man! realy enjoyed it!
Awesome location, loved the video
Were you exclusively shooting from the tripod or did you go hand held and back button follow focus at some point? Which sounds like I'm saying you should have, but I'm not.
I was always on the tripod. Mostly because the swells were kind of crazy and I didn't want to lay in the sand and get hit. But also because holding a camera that long is hard haha
Cowabunga!!🏄♀️🏄♀️👍
Oh well hello there! When are you planning to release your upcoming book?
Aiming for Christmas. More realistically, next Christmas.
@@BrendanvanSon sounds great! Really looking forward to it!🙌
Monkey is adorable, your photos are amazing and we have similar glasses. :D
I use a monopod with a small ball head for bird photography. I think it might work for surfers as well.
You're probably right. A monopod would have worked.
Hi Brendan, thanks for the vid, I liked it! Would some kind of filter help with the haze over the water?
Thanks again.
I did use s polarizer. It definitely helped.
Been in the exact same spot and took photos of surfer pretty much exactly three years ago, but the sea back then was way calmer and not that many surfers in the water. Really like the first shot with the motion blur. Very abstract but really nice!
So nice to hear you call your grandfather 'Opa'. No doubt, this is because of your Dutch descent! Simba doesn't look very messy though. Thumbs up from the Netherlands 👍👍
You could have made the video with Monkey and left it there, nothing cuter than seeing that bunny run after you.
There was some really really cool shots in there !
I have the same feeling sometimes after a photo shoot... I think I have nothing good, and then on the computer you find a few gems.
Motion blur looked kooool!
Yep, sand, sea and shorts, not too bad a life BvS. Loved the second from last image (moving pano), could see that on your gallery wall 👍
Thanks Scotty! And, yes, I think that one will definitely be in the gallery!
Ok Brendan, wildlife you use continuous burst shooting; apply that to your surfers, you''ll get more keepers, do it hand held, anchor yourself 3 points! Use your cross body strap for this kind of work. Just remember your reciprocals for the 100-400 lens and you should be good. Last piece of advice, breathe. I loved the motion blur image that was kick ass!
Watching all the Nazaré videos comming out now from last week is definitively more exiting. So this seems to be only the wrong beach. How far is Nazaré away from your spot?
3 hours
Here's my 2 bits worth. Hand hold camera, up the iso somewhat, single point back button focus and use high continuous shooting, 5 frames or more, 10 to 20 per second is even better. Works for wild horses west of RMH. Big Horn sheep, Goats, Grizz and Bald Eagles in Jasper. Love your videos of your new home. Give me a shout if you ever make it back to Rocky.
Do you ever use your phone as a remote and view finder, allow you to step up from the camera 📸
Great video! Surf photography is tough for sure. My favorite of the images you showed was the bodyboarder shot at 12:22 beautiful wave, beautiful composition and light. As a lifelong bodyboarder/waterman, I can imagine myself on that wave, something that a good photo does. The panning shot was really nice too. Great job.
I wondered if you'd get those Atlantic Waves we had last week here in Cornwall. I had a really exhilarating day photographing them, on my birthday no less! I did find the resulting fatigue editing down the resultant 2000 images to just a handful quite tough. but it was worth it!
as you mentioned, i like how you focused on the surfers at 4:00 ;)
Those photos you didn't get look great🤔 It must be frustrating spending time on the beach in the sun😎 listening to the waves hitting the shore and allowing your imagination to run wild 🏄♀️🏄♂️. That being said the Canon 100-400mm is a great lens 👍👍 one of my favorites😍
Not being judgmental, these are actual questions/statements:
Stopping down the aperture? Like f/4? My lens is f/5.6 max at 400mm. Or do you mean a more narrow aperture like f/8, which I would then definitely not be able to lower the iso.
Can't get closer to have a background. Physically impossible. The water is there. I mean, without getting in the waves.
What's the best focal length for surfing? Personally, I don't think there is one. It's whatever distance/scene you're trying to capture.
Thanks!
The big waves and best surf photography opportunities in Portugal are in Nazare. Go there when these types of swells are predicted. Look it up on line You will be amazed.
Yeah, Nazare was actually on my plan for next week. But I think I can't get there because of a new local lockdown. We'll see!
Beautiful shots despite your first impressions. If you ever get back to California try Rincon Beach south of Santa Barbara. Similar surf but in a much more intimate setting and nearer to the surfers.
I've been there actually. It's a cool beach. But there were no surfers when I was there. haha
I think James would look at you funny shooting surfers with a tripod B
Haha, I actually photographed surfers with him in Norway. He laid in the rocks, I enjoyed not having tired arms from holding my camera and lens haha
tshirt by the beach in November … and the weather is the usual sh** in Eastbourne :(
Hi Brendan, great video. About tired legs I use a three leg fold chair, easy too carry and great for knee camera high work. Cheers
Great tip. But with the swell occasionally coming up waist high, it would have been a challenge!
@@BrendanvanSon today I did Kitesurf handheld photography almost on the top of my car in Lisbon, but in case the chair is always inside the car. Hugs and stay safe
One thing I have learned about surf photography is that they move their arms before moving their bodies, so you can antecipate what they will do next. Great vid!
Enjoyed this video Brendan, great to see you out of your comfort zone and still achieving cool images........oh for a day on a beach to play 😁😂😎
Can't complain about it being late October and sitting in the sand in shorts.
11:10 had me laughing out loud. Loved the shots!
This was pretty cool mate - different. I don't know if it was hard but maybe difficult would be a better word I think. Hey have you done a video on what you do with your images? If you keep them all and where do they live and what you might save etc? That second last image was awesome.
Yeah, ages ago I did a video like that called "how I sell my photos" or something like that. I should probably do an updated version.
nice drone footage
Get yourself a remote son! Film with one hand... captures with the other👍🏻❤️🍷🇦🇺
You’ll also be able to dive in the ocean on Xmas! That’s Algarve weather in Portugal. 😄 Cool shots. 🤙🏻
Love the photos. Love those glasses! I had red frames back in the day. Now that I'm retired and doing the artsy-photo-vlogger thing, I might go back to hipster frames myself. Also, surfer fails can make good images.
P.S. - that "cut off the top" trick works with trees and waterfalls, too. I remember Mads Peter Iverson mentioning it during an Iceland video.
I love the representation of scale when you have the cliffs behind them. I really like the 12:21 like you said it leaves that imagination to how big that cliff is behind them. And honestly, 16:56 isn't bad, really to me it's that blend of the fast pace of humans against the stillness of earth itself. There's some deep interpretation with that shot.
Lol. Keep em coming.
Need to go to Nazaré next swell dude!!! Congrats for your photos!
Hopefully. I'm not sure if they're in lockdown, though.
Thats where a 600 prime comes in handy for what you was doing, but at 12 grand rather expensive.
I have never seen you without a hat
You’ve never seen his dreadlocks?
@@derekmack I have cornrows now.
Damn fine mountain man beard Brendan, looking forward to meeting up in Antartica if not before!
CRAZY PHOTO!
Cheers!
That quarantine beard though
It's gone now. How sad.
Epic
If it wasn't difficult it wouldn't be fun ... ;) Leave the tripod and handheld that lens (I have one and the IS is awesome). Raise that Shutter Speed, Crank up that ISO on Auto and use Topaz Denoise AI if necessary. Great photos.
Ah... 1:0 to me on the dashboard dust competition, you got an air freshner hanging there... I don't have even that :D
16:19 it's a great shot! Life in motion at 1/5th second..."focus" is pretty much irrelevant in that context
Thanks for the video, Brendan. It is good to get out on a beautiful day and try something different. I believe you were successful with getting some awesome shots! By the way, when is the marriage going to happen? I remember that you and Jodi got engaged, but maybe I missed the marriage announcement....
In May! Hopefully by then we can have friends and family here for it.
Chris is able to get the shots he wants because he is on assignment with professional surfers. You said it doesnt have much with the surfer themselves which couldnt be any less accurate. On top of the surfers he works with being highly skilled professionals he can also communicate with them as to what he wants to accomplish and they work together to get that shot. It is a totally different ballgame than what you are doing in this video. Chris is playing t-ball, you are switch hitting fast pitch with an eyepatch on.
Do you think without RUclips you could live off only photography? I want to become one but I’m not sure it is a good full time job.
I used to do it, yeah. These days with the pandemic it would be hard.
But, that's not to discourage you. There are loads of ways to make money with photography.
@@BrendanvanSon I still have a long time to decide, thank you.
I would give anything to just spent a whole day at the beach photographing.
Shave. ....... Thanks Brendan. :)
DONE!
Now that’s what I call hard, really hard. A bit like digging at the coal face. Enjoy it more Brendan.
Some time ago I stopped watching BvS’s videos because for some reason I became fixated on how he wears that stupid cap backwards ALL the time, even indoors at night. Nothing has changed!
Great
footages are better than photos :D
A hard day on the beach taking photos is better than the best day in an office....
Stretching is good for you!
go to nazare for waves!
Can't get there right now because of the lockdowns... It was on my plans.
@@BrendanvanSon u are lockeddown within portugal? that sux , i know that feeling (austrian here...)
Since you're not pressed for time anymore, do you think you'll be more demanding with your pictures?
I hope so! I feel like I'm pretty demanding already - in terms of what I actually use. I just share a lot. But, having more time should mean more time to really focus on improving.
i belive you have a shark on your sensor man :)
thats what she said, also good video, thanks
haha. It's funny, I was going to drop in a clip of Michael Scott saying "That's What She Said" and then totally forgot.
Sun, sea, sand. surfers and some normality. Very jealous.
Here's hoping it lasts (here), and comes back to normality (for everyone else).
These photos are actually great, but is it me or are in these images all the highlights blown out? Maybe that's because of the backlight.
Also @JamesPopsys is right about cutting of the top of cliff (and I might gift you something to cut of your beard, Santa).
And don't forget: the rule of cool.
It was all backlit, so some might be a bit blown out. Me personally, I don't care about dynamic range as much as others. If it's blown out, and there was nothing of interest there anyways, I don't mind.
@@BrendanvanSon agreed. Better an interesting photo that is a bit blown out, than just a boring photo, that is perfectly exposed
Do you have any idea how many "that's what she said" jokes could be inserted into this video? I lost count......
I was going to drop Michael Scott in a couple times and forgot!!
Shoot kite boarders for a challenge ..... I know your pain,..........