BEST of On The Road
"The Endless Winter"

April, 2008

"Aloha" and welcome to this edition of On the Road. "COWABUNGA DUDE!" Did you know that some of the best California surfing is done during the winter months. I didn't know this either, but it's true. Winter Pacific storms bring big waves to the west coast, and so this winter I found myself on the shores of the big blue getting a little taste of the good life these high caliber athletes live. Several jobs unrelated to the coastal craze sent me packing to California these past few months and when I found some spare time I went looking for surfers to photograph. Here are a few images I thought to be "Dank."

Image #1 West Coast Cut ... Meet Ralph West, a San Diego legend and real "Crusher" whose "Fierce" surfing abilities draw many "Gapers." His "Aggro" approach to the Pacific Ocean waves make for great action images. Ralph's "Rippin" style creates "Boss Bonus" maneuvers which are handled in "Epic" fashion by the Nikon D3 and its 3D Auto Focus Tracking system and my choice of 51 focus points. Nikon D3, ISO800, 1/1600 at f8, 3D Tracking with 51 points, Nikon 200-400mm G VR Zoom Lens with TC17E 1.7 Teleconverter, WB 6670K, Picture Control VIVID, Lexar 8G Flash Card.
Image #2 Surfer West ... Here's Ralph inside the "Barrel" during a "Dawn Patrol" back in December. Cool temperatures of 47 degrees and windy conditions gave me a "Hadjama Brah", but didn't seem to affect Ralph's ability to "Score" some surf at full throttle. Nikon D300, ISO500, 1/4000 at f6.3, 3D Tracking with 51 points, Nikon 70-200mm Zoom Lens, WB Auto B1, Picture Control VIVID, Lexar 8G Flash Card. Ralph stayed with this "Tube" so long it nearly turned into "Tunnel Love."
Image #3 Surf's Up ... The view from the Ocean Beach Pier is "Da Bomb", especially early in the morning on a cold day in January. Nikon D300, ISO500, 1/3200 at f6.3, 3D Tracking with 51 points, Nikon 70-200mm Zoom Lens, WB B1, Picture Control VIVID, Lexar 8G Flash Card. The Nikon 3D Focus Tracking system is so accurate that it stayed locked on this "Wacko" during his entire ride, even after he got "Diddy Mowed" and all I could see was the "Fibro". This wave produced some "Awesome Scubetubular."
Image #4 Twisted Surfer ... From the Ocean Beach Pier the view of those surfers who dare to challenge the pylons of the pier is so "Sick" that it gives the impression that a helicopter was used to get the picture. Nikon D300, ISO400, 1/2500 at f6.3, 3D Tracking with 51 points, Nikon 70-200mm Zoom Lens, WB Auto B1, Picture Control VIVID, Lexar 8G Flash Card. This "Cavefish" was "Dunzo" at avoiding "Brainfreeze" on a cold January afternoon.
Image #5 Storm Surfer ... This Dawg is on the "Take Off" making a "Fade" and possibly "Going Deep." A fast shutter speed is usually the norm for action images, but sometimes I like to live on the edge like the "Kahunas" and slow my shutter speed way down in an effort to get some creative imagery and a more artistic feel to the action. Slow shutter speed pictures of fast action sports can be a low percentage shoot that might only produce 1 good picture out of 30 attempts, but it's the one good one, the one that is "Totally Rad" that makes it worth the effort. Nikon D3, ISO100, 1/15 at f10, 3D Tracking with 51 points, Nikon 200-400mm G VR Zoom Lens with TC17E 1.7 Teleconverter, WB Auto A6, Picture Control VIVID with Contrast and Saturation +3, and Hue -3, Lexar 8G Flash Card. "Whoahhhhh Dawg" way to dominate the "Offshore."
Image #6 Days End ... The end of each "Ricked" day comes all too quickly for both the "Kahunas" and for me. This image of a "Garshed Dude" also makes use of a slow shutter speed. I wanted a slightly dreamy look to the image so I used the slow shutter speed which allowed the water and athlete to have some motion blur, just enough to be dreamy, but not too much to be distracting. Even though it was sunset and the color of the ocean was already beautiful I still decided to increase the overall warmth of the image using a high Kelvin WB setting of 10,000K for a super golden glow...."Righteous." Nikon D3, ISO100, 1/6 at f16, 3D Tracking with 51 points, Nikon 200-400mm G VR Zoom Lens with TC17E 1.7 Teleconverter, WB 10,000K, Picture Control VIVID with Contrast and Saturation +3, and Hue -3, Lexar 8G Flash Card.

Photographing this sport was "Cooleoeol" for me. I plan on returning periodically to the area and hope to continue making some surfing pictures. I always find it beneficial to try something new. Getting out of my normal sports box provides a challenge, makes new imagery, and is "Da Kine!"

Well, I hope you have enjoyed this little taste of the west coast and the endless winter ................................ Mahalo Dawgs and Dudettes, "Go Deep." Dave

NOTE: Surfing terminology definitions can be found on www.rippinh2o.com and click "surfer lingo" under Site Links.