Fundamentals of Capturing Waves in Photography
In the heart of Tahiti, renowned watersport photographer Ben Thouard has been capturing the dynamic beauty of the ocean for eight years. Specialising in surfing, Thouard's passion extends to various ocean subjects, showcasing the energy and power of the waves in striking images.
Equipped with a camera, lens, surf housing, and flash housing, Thouard's toolkit is essential for his underwater photography. Aquatech underwater housings, known for their versatility, form a cornerstone of his equipment. For wave photography, Thouard uses two Aquatech housings—one for a Canon EOS 1DX mII with a 24mm lens and another for a Canon EOS 5DSR with a 50mm lens. The 50mm lens, in particular, allows for capturing more details, reflections, and shapes of the waves.
The art of wave photography demands a deep understanding of wave dynamics to avoid dangerous situations. Timing, searching for great waves, waiting for the right conditions, and countless hours swimming in the waves with a camera are all crucial elements of the process. Thouard's work is celebrated for his close engagement with waves, shooting directly in and around breaking waves. He leverages natural light and filtering techniques, using red filters to maintain vibrant underwater colours, and employs video stabilization to counteract camera shake caused by water movement.
Unique moments in the ocean happen in a split second, and Thouard's work highlights these fleeting instances. Shooting waves during early morning or late afternoon provides more reflections and details on the water's surface. The right angle can result in reflections of the sun on the wave, making the photo more interesting.
One of Thouard's most notable works captures a wave at its tallest during a sunset, using a Canon 1DX with a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II and Aquatech Delphin 1D housing + P215 front port. Another captures a wave at its tallest, right before it breaks, using a Canon 1DX with a 300mm f/4 and Aquatech Delphin 1D housing + P215 front port.
Thouard's work is not just about capturing the power of the waves; it's about conveying the energy of the ocean through wave shapes. His fascination with empty waves leads him to spend a lot of his time shooting them, appreciating their unique forms.
To see more of Ben Thouard's work, visit his Instagram page at www.instagram.com/benthouard, Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Ben.Thouard.Photography, or website at www.benthouard.com.
[1] [Link to an example of Thouard's work] [2] [Link to another example of Thouard's work] [3] [Link to a video featuring Thouard's work] [4] [Link to an interview with Thouard] [5] [Link to a feature on Thouard's work]
- Ben Thouard, a sports photography expert, uses Aquatech underwater housings for his gear, essential for capturing the dynamic beauty of the ocean, specifically underwater waves.
- The photography guide's toolkit includes cameras, lenses, surf and flash housings, enabling him to produce impressive images showcasing the power of the waves in different colors.
- Timing, searching for great waves, and waiting for the right light conditions are crucial in Thouard's wave photography, with red filters maintaining vibrant underwater colors and video stabilization counteracting camera shake.
- One of Thouard's notable works involves a tall wave during sunset, captured using a Canon 1DX with a 70-200mm lens and Aquatech Delphin 1D housing + P215 front port, while another showcases a wave moments before breaking, snapped with a Canon 1DX and 300mm lens.
- Aside from capturing the power of waves, Thouard's mission is to convey the energy of the ocean through wave shapes, particularly focusing on empty waves with unique forms.
