Surf photography by a Swansea photographer

Sunset breaks over the horizon, painting the sky with a fiery orange glow.  For those who aren't content with just riding waves, there's also surf photography! The art of capturing the beauty and power of the sea, immortalising the magic of the moment and sharing it with the world. And for those who love surf photography and surfing, Swansea is a great place to start.

With its stunning coastline and surf spots, Swansea is a natural playground for surf photographers. From the classic point and reefs of Langland Bay to the legendary Llangennith, there's no shortage of epic surf photography opportunities around the Gower. When it comes to surf photography in Swansea, there's no one better to learn from than the local photographers who have spent years perfecting their craft. These photographers have developed a deep understanding of the best viewpoints to shoot from and the unique challenges it presents, and they know how to capture that magic on film.

One of the most popular techniques used by surf photographers in Swansea is drone photography. Drones allow photographers to capture stunning aerial shots of surfers riding the waves, with the rugged coastline stretching out in the background. It's a unique perspective that few other types of photography can offer. But drone photography is no easy feat. It requires skill, precision, and a deep understanding of the technical aspects of both photography and flying drones. The winds can be strong in Swansea, and it takes a skilled pilot to navigate the drone through those gusts and capture those perfect shots and all within the battery limits of the drone while you wait for a surfer to not only make a drop but get in the zone also with a cut back or air.

Another popular technique used by surf photographers in Swansea is the use of zoom lenses. Zoom lenses allow photographers to get up close and personal with the action, capturing every drop, every turn, every moment of pure stoke. But like drone photography, zoom lens photography presents its own set of challenges. The constantly changing conditions of the sea mean that photographers need to be able to adapt quickly to changing lighting conditions, wave sizes, and surfer movements. It takes patience!

 Last year we headed down to the surf mecca that is Hossegor in the South of France with the aim of getting some surfing and some surf photography done. We were blessed with classic huge waves that only Hossegor can serve up. Here are some of my favourite images from the surf and photography trip. My go to lens is the 70-200mm Nikon and with me shooting on a D850 body it allows me also to crop in without losing resolution, which means I don't really need a huge 400mm lens either.