Lennox Head Surf Easter 2025

Chasing Contrast at Lennox: Shooting the 400mm f/2.8 in Mixed Conditions

I recently took the 400mm f/2.8 down to Lennox Head for a school holiday trip, hoping to catch some action. The weather didn't want to play ball initially—rain and gloom kept the lens in the bag for the first few days.

When the cabin fever finally hit, I leashed up the dog and headed for the point. I’m glad I did. Despite the gray skies, a heavy swell was hammering the coast, and the local talent was out in force.

The Sessions

My first session was all about learning the location. The light was flat, but it helped me figure out where the 400mm compression would work best.

The following morning, the sun finally broke through. The backlight was spectacular, carving out silhouettes and illuminating the spray.

The final afternoon was the standout. Heavy river runoff had turned the shore break a deep, muddy brown. While that sounds unappealing to a swimmer, through the lens, it was incredible—a sharp band of chocolate water clashing against the clean blue ocean behind it.

After hours of shooting (and one very impatient dog who demanded a return to the Airbnb for coffee), I came away with a diverse set of images. Lennox Head is a stunning canvas; I’ll definitely be back.