Action Sports Cartel

Hey everyone, my first post here.

I've been working on some slow shutter speed surfing stuff lately, mostly during sunset. Here's one from the other day that, although it's not my personal favorite, seems to be one of the more popular ones. I want to work on doing a small series of these shots, and the intent is to have a smooth, serene look to them. This all started because I was getting bored of the same surf shots that are shot a 1/100s where everything is frozen, I mean it works too in its own way, but I like the way slowing down the shutter can really give a sense of the motion involved.

heck yes! loving the pastel colours, really works well

i'd like to see more attention payed to composition, pretty centered, and the top half is pretty empty.
as for panning, are you doing this hand held? tried a ball head or panning head tripod?

Thanks for the comments, Reuben. The centered composition does bug me. This shot isn't my favorite, but when I posted a few on flickr, this one seemed to get the most traffic, so it seems people like this one over others. I have a similar one that I feel is composed better. As for the empty space up top, I'm liking it, but I actually would have liked to have the horizon even lower, right at 1/3 high. I thought about using my tripod, and probably will on the next outing to see how they turn out. The blur doesn't bother me, it's actually what I wanted. I'm actually going for the surfer to be completely blurred at least to the point that it becomes anonymous, kind of like it could represent anyone who is looking at it and it's not just a photo of some specific person surfing.

hey dustin - great shot - more of these innovative and original shots and i'd be more motivated to spend time on the site! i agree with rueben about the colors - love them. personally it bugs me that the horizon is slightly off true. i don't mind the space at the top and agree with you that even moving the horizon down a fraction could work. would love to see some of the others - especially one with the subject a fraction to the right of the frame. i could not find you on flickr (?) - great job.

love the shot.. wouldn't work if all your photos were like this mind you.. but for this one it's great

It's shots like this that I signed up for. Technically it may not be the best, but it generates new ideas and in that sense, it's awesome.