Surf Photographers United

Dealt by the Devil – by Ben Lee

Mark Broadbent — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 07:45:02 +0000

The following is an article by forum member Ben Lee, as posted on his blog – http://benleewontsing.blogspot.com and is re published with his permission.

First of all, I love my job. Getting the opportunity to take photos of my good friends in an environment that very few are lucky enough to witness could be called payment in itself………

Unfortunately this form of payment doesn’t help with providing food to eat, gear upgrades, mobile phones, petrol and maintenance of the automobile and internet bandwidth for sending off files and following weather. This isn’t even taking into account the time spent learning the skill, hours working and the dangerous situations every surf photographer faces at some stage. I don’t want to put negative spin on this at the moment; I take photos because I absolutely love it. I enjoy seeing my good friends getting the exposure they well and truly deserve.

I was lucky enough to grow up in a time before the digital onslaught, when every man and dog didn’t possess a camera that could shoot 8 frames a second, a good autofocus system, USB cord and a email address. In these days my biggest influences such a Phil Gallagher, Tim Jones and others were able to make a living from it. These guys had a system, it may not have been perfect, but it worked. This resulted in us being lucky enough to witness a abundance of amazing images from a variety of different countries. This inspiration is what led me into the industry.

Today there are still photographers battling away trying to make a living. Unfortunately the industry of today is very different. We as photographers and aspiring photographers are lucky enough to have three beautiful bodyboarding magazines in Le Boogie, Movement and Riptide to exhibit our most prized recent work. But the magazines are not where the heart of the problem lies. Because magazines have there own set rates, there is order and control throughout the selection and editing process of the submitted work,. The bulk of income for a Surf/ Bodyboard photographer has always come from advertising work. We as experienced photographers try to keep a set of universal rates to base any quote to a client from. Without these rates then we start seeing full page and double page adverts getting sold for $200 or a board and pair of fins. I highly doubt Mr Gallagher’s wife would be too impressed if he came home and lumped a brand new bodyboard on the table for dinner that night!

The purpose of this article is to educate. If you’re a young photographer and a worldwide company approaches you and offers you a free board in exchange for your hard work, say NO! The temptation will always be there to say yes; exposure, seeing your work in print, future contacts etc etc ect, whatever you want to tell yourself. I can guarantee that before the said company has approached you, they would have approached a more experience photographer with the same offer that was most likely laughed at and turned down. But just be warned, if decide you sell a photo to one of these companies for a free bodyboard or some form of clothing, the next time around they will offer you even less. If you do accept the offer put forward, please know that as a consequence of your actions the guys you have sought inspiration from in the past have been bent over and screwed as a result of your deal.

Ive had a lot of frustrating and hard times in my few years spent in this industry, but probably my most gutting one happened today, ill try to explain the best I can without naming names. I am fortunate enough to have a good friend that is rapidly climbing the ranks to the elite group of Australia’s Bodyboarders. Over the past few years he has shown amazing persistence and hard work ethic to chase his dream. I’ve been spending the same amount of time and countless dollars following him overseas and roaming the countryside. The past week has seen me negotiating with his major sponsor for a new double page advert in future magazines. I was offered the usual product in exchange for use of the image and politely declined, all the while keeping up negotiation with the client. Today I received news that a said friend received the same offer of a free bodyboard and jumped at the deal. This person is the perfect example of what is wrong in the Bodyboarding today. Not only have I lost out on all the hard work from the previous few months, the rider is also let down by receiving a advert that does not truly reflect the hard work and commitment he has put in. In this case there are no excuses, the said person has been floating around in this industry for the past few years, just not very successfully.

If ANY young photographer out there wants to know more about the industry or would like a copy of rates to base their own off, please get in contact with me. I’m always happy to lend a hand.

7D bodyboard footage from Edward Saltau

Mark Broadbent — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:44:28 +0000

Check out this video from forum member Edward Saltau. It is a video resume of New Zealand bodyboarder, Ben Mackinnon. Shot primarly on a Canon 7D.

Ben Mackinnon, New Zealand. from Edward Saltau on Vimeo.

Ben Mackinnon, New Zealand. Bodyboarding Resume.

Why put cinema lenses on a HDSLR?

Mark Broadbent — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:40:10 +0000

This is a great video with a discussion between Vincent Laforet (who basically started the DSLR for filmmaking thing) and Illya Friedman, who runs hotrod cameras that does major modifications to HDSLR’s.

As a disclaimer I personally own a modified PL mount 7D (pic above) and feel that it is the best way to go if you want to use such a camera on a professional film set. There is still a place for using standard stills lenses, and there is some amazing work being done with them, however there are trade offs.

Thinking of Modifying your HDDSLR to a PL Mount? from Vincent Laforet on Vimeo.

Tokina AT-X 16-28 F2.8 PRO FX Announced

Mark Broadbent — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 06:35:56 +0000

Tokina AT-X 16-28 F2.8 PRO announced for Nikon and Canon -

PRESS RELEASE (from translation):

sample images: http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kenko-tokina.co.jp%2Ftokina%2Fatx16-28.html&sl=ja&tl=en

This class is aimed at the lens as you aim for higher performance, higher price is usually along with it. However, AT-X16-28 FX PRO F2.8 is common sense that break with excellent optical design, but easy reach of prices, extremely high optical performance. The imaging capability to ensure stable across the screen.

The zoom ratio has been 1.75 times the numbers of this class as a lens rather modest. Zoom ratio can be limited, however, uniformly in the performance of all focus areas. Despite wide-angle zoom lens has been designed considering the telephoto end to the description.

Lens Construction 13 group are 15 pieces of high curvature in P-MO placed second lens aspheric lens. Incorporate a wide range of subjects at once. Glass aspheric lens and a corresponding correction in the second lens captured the light path. 抑E込N are minimized and distortion, and coma.

More prone to chromatic aberration at wide-angle lens, with a dispersion close to the glass fluorite SD (FK03) and thorough correction. The color shift is less likely to cause even a Kiwa in brightness of the subject. The unit is a newly developed drive system SD-M (Silent Drive-Module) chip. DC and noise reduction as a sealed structure integrated motor and reduction gear. GMR sensors and higher resolution (magnetic sensor precision) by using a more precise focus control and AF has achieved a faster.

Willingness to work together is the essence of the very latest technology to update the image of the previous wide-angle zoom. This immediately brought out into the field lens now, let’s try with real power.

Follow the Light Foundation “Flame Grant” Finalists Announced

Mark Broadbent — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:27:02 +0000

Below is a press release from the Follow the Light Foundation. Congratulations particularly to forum member Morgan Maassen for being a finalist in this years awards. This follows 2009 winner, forum member Ray Collins.

FOLLOW THE LIGHT FOUNDATION CHOOSES THE FIVE FINALISTS FOR ITS PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD GRANT

Winner to be announced at the Shorebreak Hotel during the US Open of Surfing in August SAN CLEMENTE, CA — July 2, 2010 — Follow The Light Foundation (FTFL), a non-profit that continues to fuel the dreams of the world’s most talented young surf photographers, announced its 2010 finalists today after an evening of review and deliberation. This year’s installment of young visionaries include: Ryan Tadao Foley from Hawaii, Matt Lusk from North Carolina, Morgan Maassen from Santa Barbara, Billy Watts from San Diego and Corey Wilson from Santa Barbara.

The winner of the $5,000 grant will be announced during the US Open of Surfing at the Shorebreak Hotel in Huntington Beach on August 3. “We’re very excited about the talent level of this year’s finalists,” said legendary photographer and judge Aaron Chang. “And to celebrate their skills around this year’s US Open will make it even more special.” The FTLF was founded after iconic photographer Larry “Flame” Moore’s passing to ensure that up-and-coming surf photographers continue to get the recognition and support they deserve. Flame — legendary Photo Editor of SURFING Magazine for more than three decades — made it a priority to teach and inspire anyone with a passion for photography. This grant helps keep that legacy alive. Details can be found on the FTLF website. (folllowthelightfoundation.org) Now in its fifth year, the FTLF awards ceremony is part of the world’s largest action sports festival. The US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach will reach all kinds of people, but there is no better place to showcase the best rising talent in the surf photography world.

In years past, FTLF grant winners like Todd Glaser, Chris Burkard and Ray Collins have continued to change the game in what is possible in surf imagery. “The Follow the Light Foundation was a huge boost to my career,” says SURFER staff photographer Todd Glaser. “It not only was a dream come true, but it helped give me the confidence to keep following my vision. I couldn’t be more honored to be part of it all.” Come August 3, a new artist will get his due recognition.

The reception begins at 7:00PM, The Shorebreak Hotel, 500 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92648, www.shorebreakhotel.com. A limited amount of VIP tickets can be pre-purchased for $20 each at www.followthelightfoundation.org. The first 200 general admission registrants are free of charge. Please register on a first-come basis for this event on Facebook at our Follow the Light Foundation “Flame Grant” page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Follow-the-Light-Foundation-Flame-Grant/128942323802095?ref=ts The Follow The Light Foundation is proudly supported by Hurley, Swell.com, Surfing, Surfline and Oakley.

SPU is back!!!

Mark Broadbent — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 01:09:01 +0000

Yes, we are really back online and nearly back to 100% functionality. There will be some tweaks over the coming week or two as people are using the site and no doubt find problems

A few changes:

New home page -

There is now an SPU home page which will become the public face of SPU. This is where I (and hopefully other contributors) will start posting various bit of industry and general photography info. Start making SPU a bit of a one stop shop for matter related to surf photography. It will also be the place to get membership information. All more specific business documents and other downloads will remain member only features.

Member/Business directory -

I’ve been working on this today however it isn’t quite ready (but will be soon). This is where all PAID members will be able to upload full contact details, biography as well as a few sample shots. This will be for members actively looking for photography work. You never know who will come across the site.

Competitions -

The are coming, really!! Will upload more details soon however I plan to launch the first one on the 1st of August.

Subscriptions -

Since there has been so much down time I will be adding several months onto everyones membership. This may take a few days as it is a manual process. For members with expired accounts I will announce a new date by which subscription renewals will be due.

Buy and Sell plugin -

This is still playing up. Once fixed I will be re-installing it.

Twitter and Facebook -

Yep, jumping on those bandwagons too -

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Surf-Photographers-United/110703862300408

http://twitter.com/SPUonline

Well, thanks again for being patient. I’m sure there will be a glitch or three in coming days but I’ll do my best to keep all running smoothly…

Cheers,

Mark