Surf photography does not always require a large camera, expensive telephoto lens or specialist water housing. A GoPro can be an incredibly capable little camera for capturing surfing, particularly when you are close to the action.
Whether you are photographing yourself, friends, surf lessons or simply trying to capture the atmosphere of a Yorkshire surf session, a GoPro gives you something a larger camera often cannot: the ability to get right into the water.
Why Use a GoPro for Surf Photography?
The biggest advantage of a GoPro is its size.
A GoPro is:
- Small and lightweight
- Waterproof when used within its specified limits
- Easy to carry in the water
- Relatively inexpensive compared with professional camera equipment
- Capable of very wide-angle images
- Excellent for video
- Great for capturing photographs from inside the wave
- Easy to mount on boards and other equipment
The wide-angle lens is particularly useful for surf photography because you can get extremely close to the surfer while still including the wave, sky and surrounding environment.
Choosing the Right GoPro
Modern GoPro cameras are considerably more capable than the early models.
For surf photography, look for features such as:
- High-resolution still photographs
- High-resolution video
- High frame-rate slow motion
- Good electronic image stabilisation
- Waterproof construction
- Wide-angle lens options
- RAW photography, where supported
- Time-lapse and burst modes
If you already own an older GoPro, don’t automatically assume you need to upgrade. Older cameras can still produce excellent photographs in good light.
The biggest improvement with newer cameras tends to be image quality, stabilisation, low-light performance and video capabilities.
GoPro Settings for Surf Photography
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is simply pressing the shutter button and hoping for the best.
A little preparation can make a huge difference.
Photo Resolution
Use the highest practical resolution available.
Surf photography contains a lot of fine detail:
- Water droplets
- Spray
- Foam
- Surfboard details
- Facial expressions
- Wave texture
Higher resolution gives you more flexibility when cropping the image afterwards.
Wide Angle
The standard wide-angle GoPro view is excellent when you are very close to the surfer.
It gives photographs that distinctive GoPro look, making the wave appear large and dramatic.
However, remember that wide-angle lenses can make subjects further away appear very small.
The closer you get, the better the image usually becomes.
The Most Important Rule: Get Close
With a GoPro, distance is your enemy.
A surfer 20 metres away might look tiny in the photograph.
A surfer one or two metres away can completely fill the frame.
This is one reason GoPros work particularly well for in-water surf photography.
Instead of standing on the beach trying to photograph a surfer 100 metres away, you can position yourself in the water and capture the surfer as they approach.
But there is an important safety consideration:
Never put yourself in a dangerous position simply to get a photograph.
You need to understand the break, currents, wave size, surfers around you and your own swimming ability.
Learn to Read the Wave
Before getting into the water with your GoPro, watch the surf.
Spend 10–15 minutes looking at:
- Where waves are breaking
- Where surfers are taking off
- Where waves reform
- Where the current is moving
- Where surfers paddle back out
- Where sets are coming from
- Which direction the waves are travelling
This can help you choose a position where you can get good photographs without constantly fighting the ocean.
Shooting From Inside the Water
This is where the GoPro becomes particularly interesting.
You can photograph surfers from:
Above the water
Keep the GoPro just above the surface.
This can produce dramatic images with the wave towering behind the surfer.
At water level
Hold the camera almost directly on the surface.
This gives photographs a very immersive look.
You can often capture:
- Surfer
- Wave face
- Spray
- Sky
- Horizon
all in one photograph.
Underwater
Point the GoPro upwards as the surfer passes over you.
This can produce some fantastic perspectives, particularly when the sun is behind the surfer.
Half above and half below
If your GoPro and housing setup supports it, experiment with split-level photographs.
These show the underwater world and the wave above the surface in the same image.
Getting clean split shots can be difficult because water droplets on the lens can ruin an otherwise excellent photograph.
The Secret to Better Water Shots
The biggest problem with water photography is often water on the lens.
A single large droplet can cover the surfer’s face.
Before entering the water:
- Clean the lens thoroughly.
- Make sure there is no salt or grease on the lens.
- Avoid touching the lens once you are in the water.
- Give the camera a quick shake after entering the water.
- Consider a lens treatment designed for water use if appropriate for your equipment.
Don’t use household products or random chemicals on the GoPro lens.
Photographing a Surfer Coming Towards You
This is one of the easiest techniques to practise.
Position yourself safely where you expect the surfer to travel.
As they approach:
- Watch the surfer rather than the camera screen.
- Keep the GoPro pointed towards the surfer.
- Start recording or shooting before they reach you.
- Keep moving with the surfer.
- Try to keep the surfer’s head in the upper or central part of the frame.
- Continue shooting as they pass.
Don’t stop immediately after getting one photograph.
The best frame might be the one immediately before or after the moment you expected.
Use Burst or Continuous Shooting
Surfing happens quickly.
A surfer can go from standing to falling in just a few seconds.
If your GoPro offers a burst or continuous shooting mode suitable for your model, use it when you are trying to capture a specific moment.
This is particularly useful for:
- Turns
- Re-entry
- Aerials
- Spray
- Take-offs
- Wipeouts
- Barrel shots
You can then select the strongest frame afterwards.
Video Can Be Even Better
One of the biggest strengths of a GoPro is that you can record video while still getting useful frames.
High-resolution video can be extremely useful when photographing fast-moving surfing.
You can record the entire wave and later extract individual frames.
This is particularly useful when photographing:
- Beginners
- Surf schools
- Children’s lessons
- Surf competitions
- Friends surfing
- Your own surfing
However, a video frame is not necessarily equivalent to a dedicated high-resolution photograph. If your final image needs significant cropping or large printing, dedicated still photography may give you better results.
GoPro Photography for Surf Lessons
A GoPro is particularly useful for surf schools.
Instead of photographing from the beach, you can potentially get into the water with the students and capture:
- Their first successful wave
- Standing up
- Turning
- Falling off
- Friends surfing together
- Instructor helping a student
- Behind-the-scenes moments
The photographs can feel much more personal than conventional beach photographs.
Always obtain the necessary permission from the surf school and participants before photographing lessons commercially.
Photographing Beginners
Beginners are often easier to photograph than advanced surfers because their movements are slower and more predictable.
Look for moments such as:
The paddle
Capture the anticipation immediately before the wave.
The pop-up
This can make a great sequence.
Standing up
Try to capture the moment they successfully get to their feet.
The ride
Follow them along the wave.
The wipeout
Don’t automatically delete falling photographs. Some of the most entertaining surf images are wipeouts.
Photographing Advanced Surfers
Experienced surfers move much faster, so anticipation becomes extremely important.
Try to predict:
- Where they will turn
- Where they will hit the lip
- Where spray will appear
- Where they will exit the wave
- Where they might attempt an aerial
Don’t simply follow the surfer.
Try to predict the photograph before it happens.
Use the Wave as Part of the Photograph
A common beginner mistake is concentrating entirely on the surfer.
The wave is just as important.
Try to include:
- The lip
- Spray
- Wave face
- Foam
- Sky
- Horizon
- Beach
- Other surfers
A surfer surrounded by a huge wave can tell a much stronger story than a tight photograph of the surfer alone.
Experiment With Different Angles
Don’t spend the entire session shooting from the same position.
Try:
Low angle
Put the GoPro close to the water.
This makes the wave appear enormous.
Behind the surfer
Capture the surfer paddling or riding away.
In front
Position yourself safely ahead of the surfer.
Side-on
Follow the surfer as they travel along the wave.
Underwater
Look upwards as the surfer passes overhead.
From the beach
A GoPro doesn’t have to be in the water.
You can use it for:
- Beach atmosphere
- Surf checks
- Surfers entering the water
- Wetsuit preparation
- Boards
- Surf clubs
- Coastal landscapes
Surf Photography in Yorkshire
Yorkshire provides some excellent opportunities for GoPro surf photography.
Locations such as Scarborough, Cayton Bay, Whitby and Filey can produce very different conditions depending on swell, wind and tide.
Yorkshire’s North Sea conditions can change quickly.
You may experience:
- Small clean summer waves
- Larger autumn swells
- Powerful winter surf
- Strong winds
- Choppy conditions
- Clean offshore mornings
A GoPro is particularly useful on smaller days when you can safely get close to the action.
Always check conditions before entering the water and be aware that larger winter surf can make carrying a camera considerably more difficult.
Winter GoPro Surf Photography
Winter can produce some spectacular photographs.
The combination of:
- Larger swell
- Dark skies
- Sea spray
- Powerful waves
- Low winter sunlight
can produce dramatic images.
But winter also creates additional risks.
A GoPro is small, but that doesn’t mean the ocean is safe.
Consider:
- Water temperature
- Your wetsuit
- Gloves
- Boots
- Currents
- Larger waves
- Shorter daylight
- Wind chill
Your priority should always be getting home safely rather than getting one photograph.
GoPro Accessories Worth Considering
You don’t need every accessory GoPro sells.
For surf photography, the most useful equipment is usually:
Floating hand grip
Extremely useful.
If you drop the GoPro, a floating grip can help keep it on the surface.
Wrist strap
Adds another layer of security.
Waterproof housing
Depending on your GoPro model and the conditions in which you are shooting, additional housing may provide useful protection.
Anti-fog inserts
Very useful when moving between different temperatures.
Spare batteries
Cold water can reduce battery performance.
Spare memory card
High-resolution video can consume storage surprisingly quickly.
Tether
A secure tether can help prevent losing the camera, but make sure anything attached to you cannot create a snagging hazard.
Protect Your GoPro From Salt Water
Salt water is one of the biggest enemies of equipment.
After a surf:
- Remove the camera from the salt-water environment.
- Rinse it according to the manufacturer’s guidance.
- Pay attention to doors, seals and mounting points.
- Allow everything to dry properly.
- Inspect the lens.
- Check the charging port and battery compartment are clean and dry before opening where applicable.
Don’t leave salt water sitting on your equipment.
Salt crystals can build up around:
- Buttons
- Doors
- Mounts
- Hinges
- Seals
Editing GoPro Surf Photographs
A good GoPro photograph can often be transformed with some simple editing.
Start with:
Crop
Remove distracting areas and improve the composition.
Exposure
Correct images that are slightly too dark or bright.
Highlights
Recover detail in bright spray and clouds.
Shadows
Bring back detail in darker areas of the wave.
Contrast
Add some contrast to make the wave stand out.
White balance
Water can sometimes look unnaturally blue or green.
Correct the white balance until the image looks natural.
Sharpening
Use sharpening carefully.
Too much sharpening can make water droplets and wave foam look unnatural.
Don’t Over-Edit
Surf photographs already contain a huge amount of detail.
It can be tempting to push:
- Clarity
- Contrast
- Saturation
- Sharpness
too far.
The result can look artificial.
Try to make the photograph look like the scene actually looked rather than turning every wave into an HDR image.
GoPro vs a Larger Camera
A GoPro and a Sony camera with a telephoto lens serve very different purposes.
| GoPro | Larger Camera |
|---|---|
| Excellent close to the action | Excellent from the beach |
| Extremely wide angle | Can use long telephoto lenses |
| Small and lightweight | Larger and heavier |
| Easy to carry in water | Requires specialist water equipment |
| Excellent video | Excellent high-quality stills |
| Great for immersive images | Better for distant subjects |
| Relatively inexpensive | More expensive |
| Great for beginners | Greater control for experienced photographers |
The best option isn’t necessarily one or the other.
They can work extremely well together.
For example, you could use a Sony 200–600mm from the beach to capture distant action while using a GoPro in the water for immersive photographs.
A Great Two-Camera Surf Photography Setup
For a surf photographer, this can be an excellent combination:
From the beach:
Long telephoto camera for detailed action photographs.
In the water:
GoPro for close-up and immersive photographs.
This gives you two completely different perspectives of the same surf session.
You can then combine them into a gallery showing the whole experience.
10 GoPro Surf Photography Shots to Try
- Surfer coming directly towards the camera
- Surfer passing close to the camera
- Low-angle wave shot
- Surfer underneath the lip
- Spray exploding towards the camera
- Underwater view of a surfer
- Split water/air photograph
- Wipeout
- Surfer paddling into a wave
- Surfer riding away towards the beach
Don’t worry about getting all ten in one session.
Pick two or three techniques and concentrate on them.
Common GoPro Surf Photography Mistakes
Staying too far away
The surfer becomes tiny.
Solution: Get closer when conditions and safety allow.
Pointing the camera at the water
It is surprisingly easy to lose your subject.
Solution: Keep the camera moving with the surfer.
Forgetting the horizon
A tilted horizon can make an otherwise good photograph look wrong.
Dirty lens
Salt droplets can destroy an image.
Running out of battery
Always check your battery before entering the water.
Running out of storage
High-resolution video uses a lot of space.
Taking only one shot
Surfing happens quickly.
Shoot sequences or record video when appropriate.
Ignoring safety
The best photograph isn’t worth putting yourself or another surfer in danger.
The Most Important Skill
You don’t need the latest GoPro to take great surf photographs.
The most important skills are:
Wave knowledge + positioning + timing + composition.
Learn where the wave is going.
Learn where the surfer is going.
Get yourself into the safest useful position.
Then wait for the photograph.
The camera is simply the tool.
Final Thoughts
A GoPro can be one of the most enjoyable cameras for surf photography.
Its biggest strength isn’t necessarily image quality compared with a professional camera.
It’s access.
You can put a GoPro into places where a large camera would be difficult, expensive or impractical to use.
For Yorkshire surfers, it can be a brilliant way to document sessions from a completely different perspective — from the beach, at water level or right inside the action.
And remember:
Don’t just photograph the surfer. Photograph the wave, the spray, the atmosphere and the experience of being in the ocean.
That’s what can turn a simple GoPro photograph into a great surf photograph.
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