6am Swimming with a GoPro

Sometimes I do things that make my family worry about my sanity. Jumping in the sea with a camera at 6 in the morning is one of those things. I don’t think they really had cause to be worried though, because despite being the middle of winter, the sea was a wonderful 22 degrees Celsius. I even managed to get my cousins to join me one morning! Dawn_Egrets_Ballito_GOPR0196-Edit16x9WEB

The reason I was in the water so early was for a photo that I’d had in mind for a few months. It was my first time using the GoPro, so I hoped I could get the image I wanted. The first morning was a bust – the battery wasn’t properly charged and died after only 12 photos. Having a flock of little egrets fly over me in the pastel dawn was pretty magical though! Wave_Sunrise_GOPR0230-Edit4x3WEB

The next morning I was better prepared. Batteries charged, ready to go. The tide was higher and the waves rougher, but I jumped right in and started shooting. There was even a fisherman braving the swell on the rocks to add a bit of interest to the scene. After being tossed around for a bit, trying to get the right sky/water balance, I thought I had my image. I couldn’t be sure until later, when I checked the LCD screen on the back of the camera, but I had it. That didn’t stop me going back every morning for a swim though! SelfP_Ballito_GOPR0536-Edit4x3WEB

Edin

Seabird scientist and conservation photographer working in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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