Bodyboarding Photos: Yanchep

Surf photography.

Here in Australia, we're bombarded with it since we're little grommets in high school, images of zinc-covered, blonde-haired men riding waves by standing on pieces of fibreglass or lying on bits of high-tech foam - plaster the magazine racks.

I had always wanted to try my hand at such imagery, and today I got a shot at It. I joined a few young guys, almost past their prime years of 'grommet-hood' (a technical term for young, frequently annoying young surfers). 

We headed out early, really early, considering the temperature in Perth at the moment and the fact that the sun is rising as late as 7am. We arrived in the sleepy town of Yanchep (although I'd probably call Yanchep a suburb at this stage of Perth's incredible urban sprawl!) just before sunrise, in the gloomy hours when flash staves off the blurry images that would result otherwise.

These first few images where shot at about F4, ISO 400, 1/5 second - so you know it was dark!

The main reason i wanted to head out with the boys this morning was to try out my newly purchased EWA-marine underwater housing. I had bought it a few months ago, but had never found a chance to use it. I'll try and write up a more in depth review of it later on - but suffice to say, the thing is cumbersome. Other than that, the thing stood up really really well against the frequent swirling currents i found myself in as i was dumped again - and again. Each time i emerged from the turbulent waves where i was introduced to the sandy bottom, I was stunned to see my camera dry and protected - It's a weird feeling when you're cold, soaking wet and at the mercy of the ocean.

I really have a newfound respect for surf photographers, this stuff is tough - and a workout to boot!