Surf's Up!

[Chris Dodkin]

Some 'epic surf' rolling in on the southern CA coast today and Friday - a large storm off New Zealand has pushed 8-12ft sets towards the SoCal coast, and the beaches were being pounded today as the breakers came ashore.

Here's the pier at Oceanside getting a pounding (as people calmly eat ice-cream and watch from above!)

Then I headed south in search of surfers - only the really good (or stupid) ones were out today - I took these at Swami's

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami's_(surfing)

The big surf attracted a lot of spectators, including some rather fetching surf babes

All images Canon 600 f4L with rear-mount CPL filter - Canon 5D2

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Square crop especially for Pete

Takeoff!

 

[Chris Dodkin]

A few more from this evening...

Oceanside Pier - Canon 28-70 f2.8L and 5D2

 

[Pete Askew]

I knew you could do it!!

What a great set of shots Chris and, for some reason - and I wouldn't have expected it, the monochromes work brilliantly. Especially the first B&W pier and the sunsets (as well as the square crop - very nice placing by the way!).

 

[Darren Turner]

balls to the surf & crappy pier............WOWOWOWOW look at the rather fetching surf babes MORE PLEASE

again on serious note great set of shots from you as per usual Chris, first BW of the pier is brilliant, i also love the surfing photos

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Thanks Pete - the sun in the early afternoon shots was a real problem - on the West coast you're basically shooting into the Sun after 11:30 or so, and that effects contrast.

B&W allows you to dial up that contrast, getting a sharper looking image without spoiling the look.

Hoping the sun comes out before 11 today!

 

[Paul Lange]

I think the last 4 are the best, makes me want to get all wet!

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Still pounding the coast today (Friday) - beach erosion is a problem at high tide

 

[Brian Moore]

Excellent set, Chris. Love the surf bunnies! However, that B&W one of the pier at sunset is a real cracker! So's the sepia-like pier shot.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Thanks Brian - that sepia look is actually color - after the sun had set - very muted with all of the sea spray around and some offshore fog banks.

Couldn't resist trying one color shot - and the moon had just dropped into frame top left, so I grabbed it before heading home.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Yeah, spotted the moon... Makes a nice addition to te shot that even though it's so small!
Great series of shots! That one chaps certainly learning to fly!

 

[Vic Shaw]

some nice shots but I really love the square crop 'Takeoff' and I'm more on yourside with the wide crops Chris although , and I have this forum to blame for this, I have found that a square crop is just what it needs

 

[Pete Askew]