Creative Spotlight: Cate Brown, Surf Photographer
Cate Brown is a lifelong photographer. She picked up the camera at a young age and continued to hone her craft by studying photography in college. After graduation, she began her own photography business, taking on a wide array of projects from photographing regattas around the world to capturing coastal landscapes. Looking at her work you see one common theme: the water. From capturing boating, lifestyle, and products, her pieces usually include a touch of sand and H2O. Cate fully immerses herself in the experience to capture authentic photos.
Of all the subjects Cate shoots in New England, surfing tops the list. While New England’s shores are better known for beach homes and lobster rolls, there is a community of people who are obsessed with chasing waves. Surfing in New England is a winter sport, when the consistency of large, surfable waves increases as the days get colder and shorter. Surfers, and Cate, are committed to getting in the water even in the coldest, most frigid months of the year.
We caught up with Cate in August, when the water wasn’t too cold (yet). We shadowed Cate in her element and were fortunate enough to capture some surfable waves. After spending some time in the water, it’s hard to deny that surf photography is one of the most immersive forms of the art. Not only are you working to frame up a shot of a fast-moving subject, you also have to pay attention to what’s happening around you. Waves and tidal currents are constantly keeping you on your toes, pulling at you as you focus on the shot.
Cate considers photographing the ocean to be a collaboration between her and the water. She has made a name for herself capturing the essence of the ocean and those that make their way into these waters in pursuit of elusive northeastern swells.
Things are constantly changing in this environment, forcing you to adapt to the provided circumstances. It is a reminder that many of the environments we photograph are far more powerful than us and we must respect their strength. Check out more of her amazing work online.
Gearing Up
When shooting under these demanding conditions, it’s important your camera and gear can keep up with you and your subject. Both burst photography and high frame rate recording require an ultra fast read and write speed. The ProMaster Rugged CINE cards offer v90 video class speeds ensuring each moment is captured without any buffer. With a 300MB/s read speed and 260MB/s write speeds, the Rugged CINE line has been designed to work with the high processing power of modern camera systems. In addition, these cards are completely sealed, providing up to 72 hours of protection against full submersion.
