EPIC South Shore Swell on Oahu, Hawaii

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keoniahlo
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p.1 #1 · EPIC South Shore Swell on Oahu, Hawaii

WOW. That's about all I could say when I arrived at Kaka'ako Park on Saturday. This past week, the south shore of Oahu, Hawaii has seen some of the largest waves in recent history. I was there to catch it on "film". Shots taken with my D300 or D700 and 400 f2.8 or 200-400 f4.0. Check the exif info on each shot to verify the cam/lens combo. Please C&C and let me know if you think any of these shots would meet sportsshooter's standards to join.

See the entire gallery at: http://keoniahlo.com/p562178867

Aloha,
Guy Keoni Ahlo, Sr.
http://www.keoniahlo.com

Jun 29, 2009 at 11:40 PM

disci
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p.1 #2 · EPIC South Shore Swell on Oahu, Hawaii

Lovely shots Keoni.

I love the clarity and sharpness of them all. I also like how the set of four contains a tighter shot along with the more traditional crops.

Thanks for sharing.

Regards

D

Jun 30, 2009 at 01:02 AM

keoniahlo
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p.1 #3 · EPIC South Shore Swell on Oahu, Hawaii

Thanks, D!

I didn't need to do much PP on these, mostly contrast (black level in Lightroom, it was windy and hazy) and crop. I'm falling in love with that D300 + 400 2.8 AF-S II combo. The cam was $1,100 and the lens $4,000, both used. For ~ $5K, I've got a pretty sweet surf and soccer setup...and if I'm too close, I switch to my D700 FF.

BTW, does anyone know how I can get some of these into a few surf publications? Are these good enough?

Aloha,
Keoni

Jun 30, 2009 at 01:39 AM

ZENGHOST
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p.1 #4 · EPIC South Shore Swell on Oahu, Hawaii

Wow...that was Kaka'ako? I've never seen it that big over there before. Nice shots.

Jun 30, 2009 at 02:45 AM

PParker
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p.1 #5 · EPIC South Shore Swell on Oahu, Hawaii

Some very nice work Keoni. I think a couple of your shots are excellent and worth publishing.

I would find the target publications you think may be interested in your work, and then e-mail the editors to establish contact. Go to a book store and head to the magazine rack and look for magazines that publish similar material as you shoot.

Also pick up a copy of the 2009 or 2010 if available, of the Photographers Market books while you're there.

If you don't already have one, I would pick up a 1.4 X Teleconverter (Not sure what magnification Nikon has for your lens models) .

I used to body surf Makapuu in the late 70's (sometimes double head height if the swell was big enough) and these images brought back some really great memories of my youth.

Congrats on your new setup and keep up the good work.

Pete

Jun 30, 2009 at 01:21 PM

keoniahlo
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p.1 #6 · EPIC South Shore Swell on Oahu, Hawaii

Thanks for the great tips, Pete. I, too, used to body surf/boogie board at Makapuu when I was younger. Truthfully, I was a Sandy's freak, I loved that huge drop, barrrel and POUND action! I must have consumed at least a pound or so of sand over my lifetime from eating it out there! I remember once when I face-planted so hard on a drop that back of my Navel Orange Duck Feet fin hit the back of my head--and I'm not that flexible!

BTW, I do have a 1.4x but it's having the mount inspected at Nikon, it was sort of tight on the body side (overly). I really could have used it on that day, but at least I had my trusty D300 crop sensor cam on hand.

Thanks again and if you ever visit, drop me a line. I'll take shots of you tearing it up at Makapuu ;-)

Aloha,
Keoni

Jun 30, 2009 at 11:12 PM

G. Todd Kalif
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p.1 #7 · EPIC South Shore Swell on Oahu, Hawaii

#1 makes me remember surfing the big waves although I've never been on a surfboard.

Jun 30, 2009 at 11:55 PM

HAYNBUCKEYE
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p.1 #8 · EPIC South Shore Swell on Oahu, Hawaii

Bruddah Keoni...some killer shots! You're making me miss home just like Mike Rogers.

Like 1 and 2 bestest! I'd like to see if you can clone out the buoy.

You related to Kawika Ahlo?

Jul 01, 2009 at 04:37 AM

keoniahlo
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p.1 #9 · EPIC South Shore Swell on Oahu, Hawaii

Howzit, Haynbuckeye! Thanks for the kind words, sorry if I make you miss home ;-). Yes, I am related to Kawika--where is he at these days? I have a huge family here, ALL Ahlos are related. Oh, here, just for you brah:

Aloha,
Keoni

Jul 01, 2009 at 04:54 AM

HAYNBUCKEYE
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p.1 #10 · EPIC South Shore Swell on Oahu, Hawaii

Much bettah!

Kawiks was couple years behind me at Punahou. No clue where he is; he stay your family not mine!

Jul 01, 2009 at 06:44 AM

Niner
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p.1 #11 · EPIC South Shore Swell on Oahu, Hawaii

Nice shots... Point Panic? Very nice, I hope more swells come to the South Shore this year.

Jul 01, 2009 at 07:48 AM

John Power
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p.1 #12 · EPIC South Shore Swell on Oahu, Hawaii

Why the wet suits? Isn't that water warm?

Jul 01, 2009 at 06:45 PM

John Reynolds
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p.1 #13 · EPIC South Shore Swell on Oahu, Hawaii

John Power wrote:
Why the wet suits? Isn't that water warm?
My guess is:
a) abrasion protection from the board
b) flotation
c) water is warm but still below body temp so long exposure can be a problem
d) none of the above

I'd like to hear from someone more knowledgeable though.

Jul 01, 2009 at 08:07 PM

GeorgeR
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p.1 #14 · EPIC South Shore Swell on Oahu, Hawaii

John Reynolds wrote:
John Power wrote:
Why the wet suits? Isn't that water warm?
My guess is:
a) abrasion protection from the board
b) flotation
c) water is warm but still below body temp so long exposure can be a problem
d) none of the above

I'd like to hear from someone more knowledgeable though.

Can't tell for sure from the pictures but they are likely just shirts or rashgaurds, not wetsuits. Adds protection from the sun for people like me too.

Jul 01, 2009 at 09:18 PM

Michael Sangio
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p.1 #15 · EPIC South Shore Swell on Oahu, Hawaii

Keoni,

As for a C&C. These images are nice but it looks like you were shooting at a time of the day when most pros would have packed it in. Looks like they were shot in mid-day sun which can be pretty brutal on image quality. And you ask if any of these are worthy of publishing. That could be another post in it's self. You have shots that everyone else on the beach has, what makes your images anymore publishable? As for the Surf Magazines, they get so many images that are emailed to them that are not even opened. They have to feed their own Photographers. The islands have some of the most talented Surf Photographers that shoot every swell that rolls through. Mike Rogers & Jamie Ballenger to name a couple bring in some of the best quality images on the island IMO. Even though they have publish quality images they are very rarely published. It is very exclusive club that is hard to crack. Mike is a regular on FM and produces some of the best surf images that you will find on this site. If you really want to improve.... listen, respect and learn!

Michael

Jul 02, 2009 at 01:10 AM

keoniahlo
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p.1 #16 · EPIC South Shore Swell on Oahu, Hawaii

Thanks for the great feedback, Michael. The sun was, indeed, brutal. I guess I should have spent some time and post-processed these. Maybe I will do so and repost later.

In regards to publishable images, I only asked because the local news station keeps emailing me for more surf shots. They probably do that with all the local surf photographers, but when they started featuring my shots regularly, it got me excited. I'll admit, I have a lot to learn!

Aloha,
Keoni

Jul 02, 2009 at 02:19 AM


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