My best friend lives about 15 or 20 minutes from Athens and is an avid kayaker, he just started writing on substack, search @Fontinalis Rising. I'm sure he'd be happy to help you out. He has done some multi day kayak trips down there that looked incredible.
Typically, you paddle downstream from point A to point B in rivers as paddling against the current can be like walking on a treadmill. It's doable in very slow moving rivers, but in faster rivers, it's not possible.
Oh, excellent! I'll check him out! The reason I ask about paddling upstream is that I always do these trips alone. I don't have a way to shuttle between points A and B.
Yeah, that's always the dilemma. We have some stretches of river around here where it's reasonable to drop a boat off at the beginning of a stretch, drive to the end, then walk or bike back to the boat and float the river. There is one stretch of river that was perfect for that as the walking distance between the accesses was only like a mile, but the river miles between took about 3 hours to float. I have one friend who used to use Uber as his shuttle service😂. Definitely not something you wanna do in an area where your boat might walk away, though. Around here it's super common to see canoes/kayaks unattended at river accesses while people are shuttling and people generally don't have anything to worry about.
Not what you asked, but…if you’re looking for flat waters, I highly recommend George L Smith State Park. It’s a bit of a drive, but the unique blackwater combined with the cypress trees is truly a sight to behold. Bonus points if you do it when fall foliage comes around.
I enjoy getting out in the kayak as well. I, like you, paddle flat waters. My tip for river paddles is to travel upstream first so once you begin getting tired you can ride the current back to your put-in point. This will allow you to enjoy the paddle without worrying about fighting the current to get back.
Also, get a wet bag and take your DSLR with you on occasion. You'll likely come across some good nature scenes and wildlife. Happy paddles.
That idea of going upstream first is really good! I might give that a try soon. I'm still sketchy about the DSLR, at least in this kayak. I need a lot more confidence for that!
This was an awesome switch from your landscape imagery. I felt like I was on the water with you! I can't believe you captured that turtle under the water too 😊
I do love water videos take from boats because it just feels like you're floating with the cameraman. I've got some amazing videos of boating through the swamps in Louisiana and of the Blue Lagoon in Jamaica taken from a little boat that came with my villa.
That's amazing! Makes me really want to upgrade my kayak. There are swamps in South Georgia like the Okefenokee that I would imagine are sorta like Louisiana! Thanks, Kristi!
Yeah, that's pretty crazy! I've been to the Okefenokee and to the Everglades when I was younger. I know they have canoe/kayak trails there, but it would be nerve wracking the first time!!
I have been thinking about some suggestions on what you could do with camera equipment. One item I use is a tether tool that I purchased on Amazon (I will look it up and post a link). The tether wraps around my iPhone and clips to my PFD. Makes it handy to use my camera. But I do not have a sit-top kayak like you. I have a canoe - although it is a Hornbeck and only weighs 15 pounds - very stable but can feel tipsy. When I starting paddling in my Hornbeck, I left my iPhone at home - now I use this tether device.
I am not sure I would use a DSLR in my canoe. Right now, I am happy with the lenses on my iPhone. However, many other I know use GoPros in their canoes/kayaks. This is something that I would like to learn how to use in the future.
Awesome! Thanks for chiming in! I actually used a retractable tether for my GoPro that worked very well. A canoe does seem more protected than my little toy kayak. I think I'll wait for a better option before taking out the DSLR!
Really lovely film Erik, I felt like I was out on the water too. It looked so beautiful.
I love being out on the water and kayaking is a perfect way to do that. It gives you such a different perspective. I have used my DSLR out in the kayak and have done commercial shoots from the water, but usually in a double kayak and always with someone else helping. I have also done a lot of yacht photography from ribs and have never had an issue taking my camera out in these environments. I usually take a dry bag to store it in when I'm not using it. However sea spay is not great for the camera and on a rib it is impossible to keep it dry. Paddling on calm water is lovely though and I am always happy to take my camera out in those conditions. It is well insured though 🙂
Oh wow, Gill, that's amazing! I have a few questions. What type of kayak? Was it an enclosed, sit in kayak or open one? Did you find any use for a tripod, or just shoot everything hand held? Did you tether the camera or dry bag to the kayak to not completely lose it?
The kayak upgrade I would like is a hybrid kayak/canoe. It would be a bit more protected that just a sit on top like I have now, but more stable than a canoe. I'm still a long way from getting it, though. Thanks for the input! I plan to, and already have done more. It is a fantastic new perspective!
It was an open kayak but with a cover at the bow so I could store my bag under that while I was paddling and I just took my camera out when I needed it. I did tether the bag just in case. It's difficult dealing with a paddle and a camera but as long as I could stow my paddle before getting the camera out then I was ok. I only ever went out in flat water although I was working on tidal rivers so I had to make sure I knew what I was doing.
I used to paddle solo but it is much easier using a camera in a double kayak and now I go out with my partner so that he can control the kayak while I am shooting.
It's great fun and so far I haven't had any mishaps with the camera. 🙂
Once you learn the settings, the GoPro is very easy to use. The harder part is learning to edit the footage. You can do some of that in their app, but I use DaVinci Resolve.
Great video Erik. I haven't combined kayaking and photography, but I have heard that some people use a small Pelican hard case when sea kayaking in rough open ocean. Just big enough for a camera and their zoom lens that they can fit between their legs. But it's a risk for sure - salt water and cameras are not a good mix!
Great video Erik. I haven't combined kayaking and photography, but I have heard that some people use a small Pelican hard case when sea kayaking in rough open ocean. Just big enough for a camera and their zoom lens that they can fit between their legs. But it's a risk for sure - salt water and cameras are not a good mix!
Great video Erik. I haven't combined kayaking and photography, but I have heard that some people use a small Pelican hard case when sea kayaking in rough open ocean. Just big enough for a camera and their zoom lens that they can fit between their legs. But it's a risk for sure - salt water and cameras are not a good mix!
That sounds pretty scary! Maybe one day I'd try kayaking some coastal marshes or the Everglades in south Florida, but I'm not too excited about the open ocean.
My best friend lives about 15 or 20 minutes from Athens and is an avid kayaker, he just started writing on substack, search @Fontinalis Rising. I'm sure he'd be happy to help you out. He has done some multi day kayak trips down there that looked incredible.
Typically, you paddle downstream from point A to point B in rivers as paddling against the current can be like walking on a treadmill. It's doable in very slow moving rivers, but in faster rivers, it's not possible.
Oh, excellent! I'll check him out! The reason I ask about paddling upstream is that I always do these trips alone. I don't have a way to shuttle between points A and B.
Yeah, that's always the dilemma. We have some stretches of river around here where it's reasonable to drop a boat off at the beginning of a stretch, drive to the end, then walk or bike back to the boat and float the river. There is one stretch of river that was perfect for that as the walking distance between the accesses was only like a mile, but the river miles between took about 3 hours to float. I have one friend who used to use Uber as his shuttle service😂. Definitely not something you wanna do in an area where your boat might walk away, though. Around here it's super common to see canoes/kayaks unattended at river accesses while people are shuttling and people generally don't have anything to worry about.
Haha! Sounds like I need to get creative!
Some people use a bike.
Another good idea!
Not what you asked, but…if you’re looking for flat waters, I highly recommend George L Smith State Park. It’s a bit of a drive, but the unique blackwater combined with the cypress trees is truly a sight to behold. Bonus points if you do it when fall foliage comes around.
Ooo! That sounds excellent! I'm looking into it, thanks!
I enjoy getting out in the kayak as well. I, like you, paddle flat waters. My tip for river paddles is to travel upstream first so once you begin getting tired you can ride the current back to your put-in point. This will allow you to enjoy the paddle without worrying about fighting the current to get back.
Also, get a wet bag and take your DSLR with you on occasion. You'll likely come across some good nature scenes and wildlife. Happy paddles.
That idea of going upstream first is really good! I might give that a try soon. I'm still sketchy about the DSLR, at least in this kayak. I need a lot more confidence for that!
I'm with you - I have yet to bring my DSLR on the SUP. Even with a wet bag, I'm waaaaaay too nervous to lose $2000+.
Holy smokes, I wouldn't even consider it on a SUP! 😬
😂
This was an awesome switch from your landscape imagery. I felt like I was on the water with you! I can't believe you captured that turtle under the water too 😊
I do love water videos take from boats because it just feels like you're floating with the cameraman. I've got some amazing videos of boating through the swamps in Louisiana and of the Blue Lagoon in Jamaica taken from a little boat that came with my villa.
That's amazing! Makes me really want to upgrade my kayak. There are swamps in South Georgia like the Okefenokee that I would imagine are sorta like Louisiana! Thanks, Kristi!
I think a kayak in the swamp would freak me out lol. There were big gators in Louisiana swamps 😮
Here's a short one i made with the beautiful swamp trees and gators!
https://youtu.be/vAAuQwphAIY?si=bEGYCboGPlCBsvPJ
Yeah, that's pretty crazy! I've been to the Okefenokee and to the Everglades when I was younger. I know they have canoe/kayak trails there, but it would be nerve wracking the first time!!
I have been thinking about some suggestions on what you could do with camera equipment. One item I use is a tether tool that I purchased on Amazon (I will look it up and post a link). The tether wraps around my iPhone and clips to my PFD. Makes it handy to use my camera. But I do not have a sit-top kayak like you. I have a canoe - although it is a Hornbeck and only weighs 15 pounds - very stable but can feel tipsy. When I starting paddling in my Hornbeck, I left my iPhone at home - now I use this tether device.
I am not sure I would use a DSLR in my canoe. Right now, I am happy with the lenses on my iPhone. However, many other I know use GoPros in their canoes/kayaks. This is something that I would like to learn how to use in the future.
Awesome! Thanks for chiming in! I actually used a retractable tether for my GoPro that worked very well. A canoe does seem more protected than my little toy kayak. I think I'll wait for a better option before taking out the DSLR!
As far as where to paddle, we are very careful about the currents, the wind, etc. We try to paddle on quiet water.
Really lovely film Erik, I felt like I was out on the water too. It looked so beautiful.
I love being out on the water and kayaking is a perfect way to do that. It gives you such a different perspective. I have used my DSLR out in the kayak and have done commercial shoots from the water, but usually in a double kayak and always with someone else helping. I have also done a lot of yacht photography from ribs and have never had an issue taking my camera out in these environments. I usually take a dry bag to store it in when I'm not using it. However sea spay is not great for the camera and on a rib it is impossible to keep it dry. Paddling on calm water is lovely though and I am always happy to take my camera out in those conditions. It is well insured though 🙂
Oh wow, Gill, that's amazing! I have a few questions. What type of kayak? Was it an enclosed, sit in kayak or open one? Did you find any use for a tripod, or just shoot everything hand held? Did you tether the camera or dry bag to the kayak to not completely lose it?
The kayak upgrade I would like is a hybrid kayak/canoe. It would be a bit more protected that just a sit on top like I have now, but more stable than a canoe. I'm still a long way from getting it, though. Thanks for the input! I plan to, and already have done more. It is a fantastic new perspective!
It was an open kayak but with a cover at the bow so I could store my bag under that while I was paddling and I just took my camera out when I needed it. I did tether the bag just in case. It's difficult dealing with a paddle and a camera but as long as I could stow my paddle before getting the camera out then I was ok. I only ever went out in flat water although I was working on tidal rivers so I had to make sure I knew what I was doing.
I used to paddle solo but it is much easier using a camera in a double kayak and now I go out with my partner so that he can control the kayak while I am shooting.
It's great fun and so far I haven't had any mishaps with the camera. 🙂
That sounds perfect! I'll look for double kayaks when it's time to get a new one.
My next project - learning how to use Go Pro when I am paddling. Thank you for the inspiration.
Once you learn the settings, the GoPro is very easy to use. The harder part is learning to edit the footage. You can do some of that in their app, but I use DaVinci Resolve.
I was wondering about that too. thanks.
DaVinci seems overwhelming at first, but you can learn the basics from YouTube
YouTube is a Godsend for me.
Oh, for me too!!!
Great video Erik. I haven't combined kayaking and photography, but I have heard that some people use a small Pelican hard case when sea kayaking in rough open ocean. Just big enough for a camera and their zoom lens that they can fit between their legs. But it's a risk for sure - salt water and cameras are not a good mix!
Great video Erik. I haven't combined kayaking and photography, but I have heard that some people use a small Pelican hard case when sea kayaking in rough open ocean. Just big enough for a camera and their zoom lens that they can fit between their legs. But it's a risk for sure - salt water and cameras are not a good mix!
Great video Erik. I haven't combined kayaking and photography, but I have heard that some people use a small Pelican hard case when sea kayaking in rough open ocean. Just big enough for a camera and their zoom lens that they can fit between their legs. But it's a risk for sure - salt water and cameras are not a good mix!
That sounds pretty scary! Maybe one day I'd try kayaking some coastal marshes or the Everglades in south Florida, but I'm not too excited about the open ocean.