Dirk Erasmus
Dirk's one of our premiere surf photag's, so decided to catch up with him to find out a little more about what makes him tick.....and click. Pretty impressed to discover he's only been shooting for 2 years.
Dirk's the tall ou!
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A young Jakes flying - this shot earned Dirk a Shotbru win
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Q: When did you start doing surf photography, and what got you interested in it?
A: Only started with surf about two years ago. I wanted a zoom and bought one of the “Bigma” lenses, and was looking for something to try it out on and was hooked. It is incredible how a single image can make standing out there for 2-3 hours so worthwhile. Obviously also getting some in the Zigzag is awesome, and makes you want to get out there and shoot some more!
Q: Any favourite spots, conditions, peeps to shoot?
A: I guess Supers must be the favourite spot for anyone in the Eastern Cape, but in PE most definitely Pipe, it might not be the biggest surf out there, but that is where I have produced virtually all my images, thanks to the locals. Favourite surfers? CYOH!
A: Only started with surf about two years ago. I wanted a zoom and bought one of the “Bigma” lenses, and was looking for something to try it out on and was hooked. It is incredible how a single image can make standing out there for 2-3 hours so worthwhile. Obviously also getting some in the Zigzag is awesome, and makes you want to get out there and shoot some more!
Q: Any favourite spots, conditions, peeps to shoot?
A: I guess Supers must be the favourite spot for anyone in the Eastern Cape, but in PE most definitely Pipe, it might not be the biggest surf out there, but that is where I have produced virtually all my images, thanks to the locals. Favourite surfers? CYOH!
ET fly home
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Bruce grabbing rail
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Q: Other than the expected surf shots whilst you’re shooting, ever snapped anything else interesting whilst you were down at the beach?
A: All the time, I guess the funniest must be the bunch of students in the middle last year, pissed students always makes good pictures, and some pics of okes thinking skimboards are easy and don’t hurt.
Q: Rumour has it you’re starting to try out some kite-surfing, how did that all come about?
A: Yeah, I have been photographing kites for about 2 years as well, and got tired of watching them having all the fun. Early days still though, do not have that much time on my hands right now, nice thing is it also does not interfere with surf photography as on the eastern side you only kite during those hated easterlies.
Q: You’re also into shooting the kites – any close shaves yet, seeing as you’re often standing knee deep in the surf with these guys hairing straight at you!
A: Nope, I know when to stand, and when to duck, it all depends who is hanging off the kite. If it is a newby, get out of the water! It obviously also helps if the surfer knows your intentions.
A: All the time, I guess the funniest must be the bunch of students in the middle last year, pissed students always makes good pictures, and some pics of okes thinking skimboards are easy and don’t hurt.
Q: Rumour has it you’re starting to try out some kite-surfing, how did that all come about?
A: Yeah, I have been photographing kites for about 2 years as well, and got tired of watching them having all the fun. Early days still though, do not have that much time on my hands right now, nice thing is it also does not interfere with surf photography as on the eastern side you only kite during those hated easterlies.
Q: You’re also into shooting the kites – any close shaves yet, seeing as you’re often standing knee deep in the surf with these guys hairing straight at you!
A: Nope, I know when to stand, and when to duck, it all depends who is hanging off the kite. If it is a newby, get out of the water! It obviously also helps if the surfer knows your intentions.
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Q: Everyone knows you as the ou with the bright yellow Jeep – what’s the story behind that car!
A: Got it on a special, but it is sold now.
Q: You’re quite a 4x4 nut, any interesting war stories?
A: Too many to list! Yes I am very involved in the 4x4 industry, and have been operating a dedicated 4x4 website since 2006, which has grown to the largest 4x4 site in SA, serving over 2mil pages per month now. So for war stories go visit www.4x4community.co.za (Ed – eish, Millerslocal has a way to go to get to that figure!)
Q: How long have you been in the whole photography gig, and what got you started?
A: Using a mik and druk fairly long, since about early 2000s, but only in 2008 did I take the step to learn more about it. I have some (rather shocking) pictures of kite surfers going back to about 2002/2003 taken at Millers, but won’t be showing that to anybody!
A: Got it on a special, but it is sold now.
Q: You’re quite a 4x4 nut, any interesting war stories?
A: Too many to list! Yes I am very involved in the 4x4 industry, and have been operating a dedicated 4x4 website since 2006, which has grown to the largest 4x4 site in SA, serving over 2mil pages per month now. So for war stories go visit www.4x4community.co.za (Ed – eish, Millerslocal has a way to go to get to that figure!)
Q: How long have you been in the whole photography gig, and what got you started?
A: Using a mik and druk fairly long, since about early 2000s, but only in 2008 did I take the step to learn more about it. I have some (rather shocking) pictures of kite surfers going back to about 2002/2003 taken at Millers, but won’t be showing that to anybody!
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Q: Other than surfing, what are your favourite things/activities to shoot?
A: Water sport is most definitely my favourite, with surfing and kite surfing at the top of the list. I have done a bit of motor sports, but that becomes very repetitive and you need really long lenses, I am dabbling a bit with studio photography too at the moment, and enjoy “news” type photography, for example the Avis bus that burned out last year, the massive fires at Pine Lodge etc.
Q: What equipment are you shooting with?
A: Canon 1D with Canon 100-400, no big bazooka for me yet.
Q: Any advice for aspiring surf photags out there?
A: Practice makes perfect, and never underestimate the power of the tripod! It might be a pain the ass the haul around but makes a huge difference to your images! Be critical of yourself. Do not get into the habit of just firing off shots on rapid fire, force yourself to think a bit! If it is not going to count, do not take it!
A: Water sport is most definitely my favourite, with surfing and kite surfing at the top of the list. I have done a bit of motor sports, but that becomes very repetitive and you need really long lenses, I am dabbling a bit with studio photography too at the moment, and enjoy “news” type photography, for example the Avis bus that burned out last year, the massive fires at Pine Lodge etc.
Q: What equipment are you shooting with?
A: Canon 1D with Canon 100-400, no big bazooka for me yet.
Q: Any advice for aspiring surf photags out there?
A: Practice makes perfect, and never underestimate the power of the tripod! It might be a pain the ass the haul around but makes a huge difference to your images! Be critical of yourself. Do not get into the habit of just firing off shots on rapid fire, force yourself to think a bit! If it is not going to count, do not take it!
Start of the Bell Bouy swim
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Skimboarding crash!
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Shot Dirk! So there you have it ou's. It's never too late to get started in surf photography, as if you'll willing to put in the time and effort you can be shooting sweet stuff like Dirk in just a few years.
