Zak Noyle's Guide to Surf Photography

Learn surf photography from one of the best surf photographers on the planet. Renowned lensman Zak Noyle teaches how to: compose images in the water, shoot beach breaks, reef breaks, and point breaks, optimize your settings, shoot action, speed blurs, select lenses, use proper etiquette, develop client relationships, keep safe, and transform your passion into a successful business from his lifetime of knowledge shooting award-winning imagery in the ocean.

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No matter your skill level or equipment, taking your photography to the next level is challenging.

It's never been more competitive to distinguish yourself as a photographer. The difference between creating good and great imagery requires dedication and a sharp eye. Zak Noyle offers a lifetime of insights that help you refine your approach, process, and positioning to improve your creative results and your career opportunities.

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Learn how to turn your passion for surf photography into a career from the world's best.

"I’m going to share with you guys all of these tips, tricks, and back-end business to allow you to take your photography to the next level." - Zak Noyle

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Students are pumped on their results.

- Miles T.

Website

"WOW! I have really enjoyed all of this information, it's been so helpful when I'm in the spot in the water. Surfing and shooting surf photography are equally fulfilling to me now, thanks in large part to this course. My pictures are getting better. I'm shooting with a Canon EOS R5 and found the gear/setting breakdowns especially helpful. The information provided here is gold."

"Photography allowed me to create this lifestyle and to be able to create a career path that I never even imagined." - Zak Noyle

Get lifetime access to 13 video lessons designed by Zak, two downloadable worksheets, a quiz to test your knowledge, assignments designed to improve your work, and an official certificate of completion upon successfully finishing the curriculum. Zak also provides gear suggestions and insights that will improve your approach to surf photography to yield better creative and commercial results.

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Approved by the World's Best

"To me, Zak is among the top three best water guys in the world. It’s always awesome to see him in a big barrel with me! Haha :-) It’s great what he has done for modern-day photography at Pipeline and teaching the next generation."

Jamie O'Brien, Pipeline Master

"Zak Noyle is truly a 1 of a kind type of guy. His willingness to share his knowledge with people around the world is just one of his special qualities. He has such a kind approach to life, and his determination to keep inspiring in such a positive way. Zak truly embodies the definition of Aloha.

Mike Brophy, RVCA Marketing

Join Zak on a shoot in Waikiki.

The course also documents Zak's approach to a shoot in the field with stylish longboarder Kani Stewart. Observe Noyle's approach to water shoots in real-time and watch him debrief and breakdown his results – what went well, what could be improved, and how to continue to evolve for the next one.

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Great photography starts with passion.

"Why do I shoot water photography? Why do I love being in the ocean and shooting and creating these images? It's a love for the ocean," Zak says. "It's a love for being able to share these images and these moments with people that won't be able to see them with their own eyes. It's being able to capture something and freeze that water, being able to share it." Zak shares his expert insights into how his love for the ocean has created a fulfilling livelihood.

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Zak Noyle's Guide to Surf Photography Trailer

1 min
65.2 MB

Welcome

Zak Noyle sets the stage for what's to come.

Intro to Zak Noyle's Guide to Surf Photography

2 mins
135 MB

Preview

Before You Shoot: Safety and Gear

Zak Noyle details safety and gear tips essential to uplevel your surf photography.

Know Your Limits and Be Prepared

8 mins
558 MB

Safety Tips for You and Your Gear

5 mins
301 MB

Zak's Recommended Gear for Water and Surf Photography

11 mins
731 MB

Taking Your Surf Photography to the Next Level

Zak covers everything from shutter speed and exposure to rethinking your approach to shooting different types of waves.

How to Shoot Reef Breaks, Beach Breaks, and Point Breaks

12 mins
871 MB

How To Optimize Your Settings: Shutter Speed, Focus, and Exposure

4 mins
240 MB

How to Get the Shot: Composition, Lens Selection, and Etiquette

9 mins
646 MB

The Story Behind the Shots: Get Creative with Fisheye and 50mm Lenses

4 mins
220 MB

In The Field

Zak takes us in the field at Waikiki Beach to apply some of the photography lessons shared in his course.

In the Field: Shooting Waikiki with Longboarder Kani Stewart

2 mins
56.1 MB

Waikiki Shoot Debrief

7 mins
221 MB

Turning Your Passion Into a Career

Zak Noyle has made a living out of his love for photography. Here's his advice for you – no matter where you are on your journey.

How to Build Your Photography Business

10 mins
672 MB

Assignments

Want to improve your photography? You've got to practice. Here are a few assignments from Zak designed to help you on your journey.

Shoot a Shorebreak Image

Intentionally Compose Your Water Photography

Write a Pitch Email

Parting Thoughts

Zak Noyle shares his most memorable photos and takeaways from his photography career.

My Most Memorable Photos

7 mins
459 MB

Zak Noyle's Guide to Surf Photography Quiz

Zak Noyle's Guide to Surf Photography Pro Tips

121 KB

Gear List

4.73 MB

Zak Noyle Photography

FAQs

Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone interested in surf photography. From newcomers with a casual interest in water and surf photography to experienced photographers who want to take their efforts to the next level by rethinking their creative approach and learning how to build relationships that enable a career in capturing ocean imagery. "We're going to share with you guys all of these tips, tricks, back-end business, everything like that to allow you to take your photography to the next level.," says Zak Noyle. "Today it is easier than ever to get into it as it is more accessible. And you will see through this course how you can become a surf photographer."

What will I learn in this course?

In this course, renowned surf and water photographer Zak Noyle shares his treasure chest of insights and expertise. After putting a lot of thought into a curriculum that would benefit as many surf and water photographers as possible, Zak focused on sharing knowledge on the following topics:

Preparation for shooting
Safety tips
Etiquette
Gear recommendations
Lens selection
Optimizing settings: Shutter speed, exposure, focus
Advice on shooting speed blurs and fast action
How to care for your waterhousing
Shooting different kinds of waves like beach breaks, reefs, and point breaks,
Building a photography career
Insights and war stories about his most memorable photos.
Zak also takes you with him on a field shoot in Waikiki with longboarder Kani Stewart so you get to see his approach and review results and takeaways firsthand.
Assignments designed to improve your work
Quiz to test your knowledge
Certificate upon successful completion

The lessons are scalable and have application to any skill level – from beginners to experts. The full, time-stamped curriculum can be viewed above so you know exactly what to expect.

What do I need for this course?

Just an internet connection. Per Zak's recommendations, you don't need the latest high-tech gear to get started. Shoot with the camera you have. Grow from there. Last, you'll need a fistful of courage and commitment to push the envelope creating outstanding imagery in the ocean.

In what currency is the price?

Prices are in USD.

How long do I have access to the course?

For life, brah. If you ever want to reference one of Zak's lessons, just fire it up! By choosing to enroll in Zak's course, you get lifetime access to lessons from one of the greatest surf photographers on earth.

What if I don't like it?

We really hope you love it! And we feel confident you will. There is no instructor better qualified to teach you how to approach surf photography than Zak Noyle. He's also highly entertaining in how he shares his knowledge. Unfortunately, we’re not able to offer refunds. If you’re on the fence, we strongly recommend that you watch the preview videos to get a sense of what the class is like before you buy.

What's not covered?

Zak does not teach how to edit photographs in this course.

About Zak Noyle

Zak Noyle is an award-winning photographer from O'ahu with a lifelong love of the sea. His father, seasoned commercial photographer Ric Noyle, introduced Zak to a camera at an early age, and by the time he was a freshman at Punahou School, Zak was already published in ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Transworld Surf and many more. Zak has also been senior staff photographer for Surfer Magazine and is based in O'ahu where he recently launched Eleven Seventeen Creative, a creative agency that leverages his expertise in surf and water photography.

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