Steve'sDigicams

Walter C · Oct 26, 2010, 10:23 AM

I was out on the pier to do some sunset photography last night when I spotted some kite surfers off in the distance...about 600 yards. I had my 100-400 lens on the camera, but it still didn't get me very close. That's Long Beach in the background, and Rancho Palos Verdes looming behind.

Walter C · Oct 26, 2010, 10:25 AM

One of the surfers came a bit closer -- about 200 yards out -- so I managed to capture this...100% crop. The sun was setting directly behind him.

pboerger · Oct 26, 2010, 11:31 AM

Number 2 is dynamite.

selvin · Oct 27, 2010, 11:58 PM

Walter,
Shot #2 is prime time stuff.

I've spent the same frustrating time watching folks like these in Hawaii just out of reach of my 400mm.

Good work and patience paid off.

Selvin

Ordo · Oct 30, 2010, 8:41 PM

Really spectacular.

Wizzard0003 · Oct 30, 2010, 8:45 PM

Agreed, number 2 is a winner...!

Nice job, Walter...!

pj1974 · Oct 31, 2010, 12:27 AM

Hi Walter

Both good shots... showing this exciting sport. I've done a lot of kite surfing photos over the years, and it's not easy to capture - often because of the distances involved. (I've had a 300mm on my Canon crop cameras, making it 480mm and often still too far off if they're out far!)

I like the fact that I had to 'hunt' for the most distant kite-surfer in the 1st photo (adds interest).

2nd photo shows the 'action' that the kite-surfers themselvs often want to see / show off. I was the official photographer for a state title a few years ago, off an Adelaide beach, and lighting can be tricky (polariser can help with reflections / surf).

Good effort on your behalf with your 5D MkII.

PS - is Long Beach always that hazy? It looks like smog / pollution, or is it dust? I'm quite curious.

Paul

vsch1 · Oct 31, 2010, 7:53 AM

Walter...I love the layers on the first image....water, city, mountains.

Mark1616 · Oct 31, 2010, 8:01 AM

I like them, the first has nice context and the 2nd brings us up close and personal.

I've done kitesurfing shoots with a couple of pros and it makes life much easier if they are aware of the limitations we have to work to (most of us don't have 800mm on hand) so came in much closer. Also if individuals are wanting shots then I will give them suggestions on where to ride for the light etc. Without moving out into the water it's tough to get too close.

Good work

Walter C · Oct 31, 2010, 10:46 AM

Paul and Mark, thanks for your first-hand experience observations. This really is a difficult sport to photograph well for the reasons you mentioned.

Paul, the haze in #1 is partly due to the low angle of the sun together with a bit of smog. Downtown Long Beach is about 25 miles in the distance and Rancho Palos Verdes is about 40 miles away.

Oct 31, 2010, 12:27 AM	#7
pj1974 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 2,917	Hi Walter Both good shots... showing this exciting sport. I've done a lot of kite surfing photos over the years, and it's not easy to capture - often because of the distances involved. (I've had a 300mm on my Canon crop cameras, making it 480mm and often still too far off if they're out far!) I like the fact that I had to 'hunt' for the most distant kite-surfer in the 1st photo (adds interest). 2nd photo shows the 'action' that the kite-surfers themselvs often want to see / show off. I was the official photographer for a state title a few years ago, off an Adelaide beach, and lighting can be tricky (polariser can help with reflections / surf). Good effort on your behalf with your 5D MkII. PS - is Long Beach always that hazy? It looks like smog / pollution, or is it dust? I'm quite curious. Paul Last edited by pj1974; Oct 31, 2010 at 12:34 AM. Reason: PS question

Oct 31, 2010, 8:01 AM	#9
Mark1616 Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 7,456	I like them, the first has nice context and the 2nd brings us up close and personal. I've done kitesurfing shoots with a couple of pros and it makes life much easier if they are aware of the limitations we have to work to (most of us don't have 800mm on hand) so came in much closer. Also if individuals are wanting shots then I will give them suggestions on where to ride for the light etc. Without moving out into the water it's tough to get too close. Good work __________________ [SIZE=1][SIZE=2]Any problems with a post or thread please use the report button at the bottom left of the post and the team will help sort it out.

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Oct 26, 2010, 10:23 AM	#1
Walter C Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA USA Posts: 8,116	Sports -- Kite Surfing I was out on the pier to do some sunset photography last night when I spotted some kite surfers off in the distance...about 600 yards. I had my 100-400 lens on the camera, but it still didn't get me very close. That's Long Beach in the background, and Rancho Palos Verdes looming behind. Attached Images

Oct 26, 2010, 10:25 AM	#2
Walter C Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA USA Posts: 8,116	One of the surfers came a bit closer -- about 200 yards out -- so I managed to capture this...100% crop. The sun was setting directly behind him. Attached Images

Oct 26, 2010, 11:31 AM	#3
pboerger Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mount Shasta, California Posts: 1,525	Number 2 is dynamite.

Oct 27, 2010, 11:58 PM	#4
selvin Moderator Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 7,204	Walter, Shot #2 is prime time stuff. I've spent the same frustrating time watching folks like these in Hawaii just out of reach of my 400mm. Good work and patience paid off. Selvin

Oct 30, 2010, 8:41 PM	#5
Ordo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: BsAs Posts: 3,452	Really spectacular.

Oct 30, 2010, 8:45 PM	#6
Wizzard0003 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Aberdeen, WA USA Posts: 1,085	Agreed, number 2 is a winner...! Nice job, Walter...!

Oct 31, 2010, 7:53 AM	#8
vsch1 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,885	Walter...I love the layers on the first image....water, city, mountains.

Oct 31, 2010, 10:46 AM	#10
Walter C Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA USA Posts: 8,116	Paul and Mark, thanks for your first-hand experience observations. This really is a difficult sport to photograph well for the reasons you mentioned. Paul, the haze in #1 is partly due to the low angle of the sun together with a bit of smog. Downtown Long Beach is about 25 miles in the distance and Rancho Palos Verdes is about 40 miles away.