The Best Camera Settings for Surf Photography & Videography
My name is Evan Olbricht, and I’m a professional surf and lifestyle photographer based in San Diego, CA. Over the years I’ve shot everything from small local sessions to competitive surf events, and one of the biggest questions I get is: What are the best camera settings for surf photography and video?
The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to your settings, but there are some tried-and-true settings that will set you up for success, whether you’re shooting from land or in the water.
1. Shutter Speed
Your shutter speed is the foundation of sharp surf photography.
1/1000 s or faster is the sweet spot for freezing surfers, water droplets, and wave peaks.
In lower light, you can dip to 1/800 s, but be careful of motion blur.
For creative effects, experiment with 1/8–1/2 s on a tripod to capture motion blur in the waves.
2. Aperture
A balanced aperture keeps your shots sharp and flexible.
I recommend f/5.6–f/8 for most surf photography because it gives you plenty of depth of field while keeping your images crisp.
In low light, dropping to f/4-5.6 helps maintain shutter speed, but be mindful of background blur.
3. ISO
ISO controls your camera’s sensitivity to light, and managing it is key for surf conditions that change quickly.
On bright days, stick to ISO 100–300 to keep your images clean and noise-free.
During overcast mornings or evening sessions, ISO 400–800 helps maintain fast shutter speeds.
If you’re shooting in Shutter Priority mode, Auto ISO is a great option that takes care of adjustments for you.
4. Autofocus
Surf photography is all about tracking unpredictable motion.
Use Continuous AF (AF-C or Servo) so the camera tracks the surfer as they move.
Choose multi-point or dynamic-area AF rather than single-point because it’s more forgiving with fast action.
5. Shooting Mode
Both beginners and pros can benefit from these modes:
Shutter Priority (S/Tv): You control shutter speed, and the camera balances aperture and ISO.
Great for sunrise or sunset with tough and fast-changing lighting conditions.
Manual Mode: Great once you’re confident and the light isn’t changing constantly.
6. White Balance & Metering
This might be a hot take, but I usually keep it simple.
Auto White Balance: I don’t want to waste time adjusting in the water, and it gets the job done.
Evaluative/Matrix Metering: Best for balancing the highlights of crashing waves with darker shadows in the lineup.
7. Gear Tips: Lens & Housing
Settings matter, but so does the gear you use to protect your camera and frame your shots.
For in-water shooting, I use an AquaTech housing paired with the Canon RF 70–200mm f/2.8.
From land, I recommend a 70–200mm or 100–400mm telephoto lens. This gives you the flexibility to shoot both close-up barrels and surfers further down the line.
Quick Reference Settings
Here’s a summary you can use before your next session:
Shutter Speed:1/1000 s or faster
Aperture: f/5.6–f/8
ISO: 100–300 daylight; 400–800 in low light
Focus Mode: Continuous AF/Servo + multi-point
Shooting Mode: Shutter Priority (S/Tv) or Manual
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Evaluative/Matrix
Final Thoughts
The best way to learn these settings is to get out there and shoot. Conditions in the water change constantly, and the more you practice, the more second-nature adjusting these dials will become.
I hope this helps set you up for your next surf session. If you want more surf photography tips and behind-the-scenes insights, you can check out my YouTube channel, where I share tutorials, gear breakdowns, and my personal workflow.
