Educational Area
Welcome to the Educational area of Mentawai Surf Photos
The entries that follow are designed to inform you about our services, so that we get the best possible photos of your surf sessions. Please read through each section and inform yourself about how we work and how you can get better photo coverage.
Thank you again for choosing [...]
Glamour Shots
When it comes to our first tip we hate to go glamour shots on you, but it is recommended that you stand out as much as your style will allow. For some of you that will be electric blue rashy, yellow shorts with red flames and multi colored boards with sticker placement just so (don’t laugh [...]
Cursed
We know some of you think that you are cursed. It seems that everytime you’ve tried to get some surf shots you just didn’t have a good session, or maybe the surf gods didn’t send any waves while the camera was focusing on you.
Well now the hex is over because in the mentawai islands it [...]
Photography 101
During your surf charter we will shoot your sessions using different angles with a variety of camera configurations depending on the light, the surf conditions and other factors. It is our goal to shoot from the best position at each spot while varying the angle to achieve a wide range of images for your portfolio. [...]
The Reality of Missing Shots
An unfortunate fact of taking photos is missing shots. It happens to the best surf photographers in the world (and yes, it even happens to us at mentawai surf photos!). Just like the fact that you will probably have a few wipeouts during the trip, we in turn will occasionally miss a few shots along [...]
The ‘Pro’ photo shoot
Did you know that when Kelly or Andy or Taj (or any other pro known by a single name) is on a boat trip in the Ments they are restricted from the water until all the cameras are set up? Sometimes this process takes half an hour or more while the pros wait for [...]
Water Taxi Karma
At most breaks you will be dropped off at the take off zone by the boat’s dinghy or ‘water taxi’ for your surf session. The photographer may also use this same dinghy for shooting depending on the break. Each time your bro wants to go surfing and/or return to the main boat there is a [...]
“Did you get the shot?”
“Did you get it?” “Did you get it?!” All surf photographer’s have heard this hundreds of times. In fact, our group of seasoned photogs have heard it so many times it just rolls of their back. But don’t be surprised when they don’t have the answer you are looking for.
You see, when a set comes [...]
Pull your head in matey!
Please be aware of where the photographer is when you are paddling back out after catching a wave. Sometimes we swim or sit (on a bodyboard) in the channel and paddling right in front of the photographer may block the shot.
Think of your photographer as the priority buoy back when you surfed in the WCT or [...]
Space, a final frontier
After each session your photographer will need to download, back up and sort the photos from the shoot. This is a crucial step in the process that takes time and concentration.
We know you want to see that barrel you were inside of and the wipeout your mate copped, but we ask for some space to [...]
Now Hiring
Great moments will happen on the boat and on the land during the charter and we may not always be there to shoot them. For example, while we are on land shooting a session someone else may be reeling in a tuna from the back of the boat! A great moment that we wish we [...]
Therapy Session
Sometimes that one missing shot is like the fish that got away – you will always think it was bigger and better than it really was! Don’t put yourself (or your photographer) through it. You’ll drive yourself crazy thinking about it and need photo therapy after the trip! Some magic moments weren’t meant to be captured but [...]
Your Portfolio
After each session your photos are sorted into your own portfolio which will build over the course of the trip. Each night around dinner time a slideshow of the day’s sessions will be presented (if you are the designated trip DJ please bring your ipod or favorite surf music CDs to play along with the [...]
Additional options and Photo ideas
1. Memory Devices
Trips come standard with CD/DVD’s delivered within 2 weeks following your surf charter. To take your images home immediately you may purchase a personal reusable Flash Drive or external memory for the entire group. You may buy these devices on your own, but you risk incompatibility (most of us use Macs), the hassle [...]
