Shooting from my kayak

Berserker · 08-21-2018, 06:10 PM - **6 Likes**

I’ve combined my photography with my kayaking.
I tether my tripod to the kayak at three points.
It will not tip or sink if I capsize.
I launch the kayak first, get in and then set camera to tripod.
Camera is the first to shore on my return.
A dry bag is tethered to tripod in case of waves, wind or weather.
So far so good.
I am able to calmly approach wildlife.
Sometimes it takes an hour or more and a lot of frames.
Usually come away with one or two keepers.
Do not try this at home!

Attached Images

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**kiwi_jono** · 08-21-2018, 06:32 PM - **1 Like**

Thats a fantastic result - well done!

Does seem a bit of a risk though - good luck!

**sergysergy** · 08-21-2018, 06:37 PM

very nice result!

RoxnDox · 08-21-2018, 06:37 PM

Excellent rig and results!

**twilhelm** · 08-21-2018, 06:46 PM

Oh, the ideas you have put into my head... Great results!

**bwgv001** · 08-21-2018, 07:29 PM

looks fun to combine to hobbies(?).
Congrats

DeadJohn · 08-21-2018, 08:52 PM

For those of you at home who don't kayak, note it's a sit-on-top kayak, much more difficult to flip than the conventional sit-inside style.

Interesting use of a tripod. I've only handheld when shooting from a boat, figuring that my body will add some inertia to offset any rocking movement. I've never tried a tripod on a boat.

ChatMechant · 08-22-2018, 09:54 AM

Nice rig! I like to photograph from a kayak as well, just handholding the camera. It's about the only time I use the neckstrap. I should probably do more safety stuff like you do, especially since I don't know how to swim.

Brooke Meyer · 08-22-2018, 12:03 PM

Originally posted by Berserker

I’ve combined my photography with my kayaking.
I tether my tripod to the kayak at three points.
It will not tip or sink if I capsize.
I launch the kayak first, get in and then set camera to tripod.
Camera is the first to shore on my return.
A dry bag is tethered to tripod in case of waves, wind or weather.
So far so good.
I am able to calmly approach wildlife.
Sometimes it takes an hour or more and a lot of frames.
Usually come away with one or two keepers.
Do not try this at home!

A very nice example of how important camera position to subject is. However you do it - laying down, kneeling, squatting, ladder, boom or kayak - camera position is fundamental to the image composition.

**Wingincamera** · 08-22-2018, 02:50 PM

Nice setup. I didn't know they made a sit-on-top kayak.

Originally posted by ChatMechant

Nice rig! I like to photograph from a kayak as well, just handholding the camera. It's about the only time I use the neckstrap. I should probably do more safety stuff like you do, especially since I don't know how to swim.

I hope you wear a life preserver?

ChatMechant · 08-22-2018, 03:33 PM

Quote:

I hope you wear a life preserver?

yes indeed sir!

Berserker · 08-22-2018, 10:03 PM

New Zealand!
We vacationed in Australia for 3 weeks in 2017.
Here are friends and family "walking" on the disk of the moon on the grounds of the Mount Stromlo Observatory.

---------- Post added 08-22-18 at 10:04 PM ----------

I do wear a life jacket.

08-22-2018, 10:03 PM	#12
Berserker Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 63 Original Poster	New Zealand! We vacationed in Australia for 3 weeks in 2017. Here are friends and family "walking" on the disk of the moon on the grounds of the Mount Stromlo Observatory. ---------- Post added 08-22-18 at 10:04 PM ---------- I do wear a life jacket. Attached Images

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08-21-2018, 06:32 PM - 1 Like	#2
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	Thats a fantastic result - well done! Does seem a bit of a risk though - good luck!

08-21-2018, 06:37 PM	#3
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,171	very nice result!

08-21-2018, 06:37 PM	#4
RoxnDox Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gig Harbor, Washington, USA, Terra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,494	Excellent rig and results!

08-21-2018, 06:46 PM	#5
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	Oh, the ideas you have put into my head... Great results!

08-21-2018, 07:29 PM	#6
bwgv001 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 697	looks fun to combine to hobbies(?). Congrats

08-21-2018, 08:52 PM	#7
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	For those of you at home who don't kayak, note it's a sit-on-top kayak, much more difficult to flip than the conventional sit-inside style. Interesting use of a tripod. I've only handheld when shooting from a boat, figuring that my body will add some inertia to offset any rocking movement. I've never tried a tripod on a boat.

08-22-2018, 09:54 AM	#8
ChatMechant Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Matsuyama Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,284	Nice rig! I like to photograph from a kayak as well, just handholding the camera. It's about the only time I use the neckstrap. I should probably do more safety stuff like you do, especially since I don't know how to swim.

08-22-2018, 12:03 PM	#9
Brooke Meyer Guest	Originally posted by Berserker I’ve combined my photography with my kayaking. I tether my tripod to the kayak at three points. It will not tip or sink if I capsize. I launch the kayak first, get in and then set camera to tripod. Camera is the first to shore on my return. A dry bag is tethered to tripod in case of waves, wind or weather. So far so good. I am able to calmly approach wildlife. Sometimes it takes an hour or more and a lot of frames. Usually come away with one or two keepers. Do not try this at home! A very nice example of how important camera position to subject is. However you do it - laying down, kneeling, squatting, ladder, boom or kayak - camera position is fundamental to the image composition.

08-22-2018, 02:50 PM	#10
Wingincamera Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pine Haven, Wyoming Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,182	Nice setup. I didn't know they made a sit-on-top kayak. Originally posted by ChatMechant Nice rig! I like to photograph from a kayak as well, just handholding the camera. It's about the only time I use the neckstrap. I should probably do more safety stuff like you do, especially since I don't know how to swim. I hope you wear a life preserver?

08-22-2018, 03:33 PM	#11
ChatMechant Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Matsuyama Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,284	Quote: I hope you wear a life preserver? yes indeed sir!