There’s no doubt that Pipeline is one of, if not the most localised wave in the world. There’s a clear pecking order and the personnel may change throughout generations or differ as people earn respect by putting their time in at the proving grounds. It’s one of the most dangerous waves and busiest lineups in the world and so, a sense of order is much needed. This doesn’t just apply to surfers, it works the same with the photographers too. Every cover shot hungry lensman or woman can be seen swimming on the inside at Pipe, vying to get their dream shot which they have envisioned in their head. In order to avoid chaos, there’s a pecking order and an element of respect involved.

Gold Coast Photographer Josh Bystrom recently spent three months during the Hawaiian winter shooting at Pipe, which has included shooting flash, fish eye, drone and on land.

We hit up Josh to get the low down on the photographers pecking order at Pipe and asked him to share some of his tips for shooting at Pipe. Check out what he had to say below:

Growing up shooting primarily right hand point breaks on Australia’s Gold Coast I hadn’t seen much resembling a photography pecking order in the water. Usually it’s more of a free for all where you swim out up the top at places like Snapper Rocks and inevitably get flushed down the lineup by the current. There are days where, with a lot of east in the swell, you can sit up the top and have a full session without having to run back around but these are uncommon. 

On the contrary Pipeline I’d heard was the exact opposite and as I’d planned to spend the winter season there I was eager to find out more. I messaged a few seasoned photographers on the island prior to my arrival trying to gain a bit more insight into how to navigate the lineup. What swell direction is best for Backdoor? Who are the legends out there shooting to give a bit of space? How can I go about not treading on people’s toes. Those sort of things.  

My first month on the rock the surf pumped. It didn’t really get under 8ft the whole time. The Pipe Masters ran (and scored) the Backdoor shootout ran (also scored). It was relentless. During this time I was like a student of Pipeline. Trying to get a lay of the land and get to know the other photographers by sitting in the pack by shooting a little longer. My lens of choice – a Canon 85mm f1.2.

I’d sit behind the more seasoned photographers opting to try to position myself a little closer to shore or slightly further out to not have them in the foreground of my shots. 

Only until I felt I had my bearings set was I ready to try shooting fisheye. I first started on the smaller days, around six to eight foot and as the season progressed I began scaling it up a little bit, shooting in the 10ft plus range and beyond. When I felt I was overstaying my welcome in the fisheye zone I’d swim over to Off the Wall or Backdoor for something different or try and shoot flash early in the mornings/evenings to try and keep everyone happy.  

During this time there were a handful of others shooting fisheye too and I applied the same type of logic as shooting in the pack. The more experienced/competent shooter always sits in front of you. 

Pipeline is the sort of place where if you step out of line or push boundaries someone will let you know about it. There is a sense of competitiveness out there but also a lot of mutual respect. It isn’t easy being out there and at the end of the day everyone out there has each other’s backs should something bad happen.

This season, I made some mistakes but most importantly I learnt from them. I wanted to push my limits of what I felt I was capable of shooting and I felt I did that as respectfully as I could. 

Shooting in the water at Pipeline is an interesting dynamic, it takes time to figure out but what I will say is that I met some of the better people on the island in that photo pack. 

Here are some of my recommendations for shooting pipe after a three month swimming stint. 

• Understand your boundaries – Pipe is a wave that demands respect. If you aren’t confident there are a lot of other quality breaks in the area you can cut your teeth on shooting first. 

• Get your bearings, try shooting on the smaller days first, have a chat to the locals and lifeguards. Watch a big day and see how everyone operates getting in and out. Where they sit in the lineup etc. 

• Show respect to the other photographers. If they’ve had more time in the water let them sit in front – By doing your time in that lineup you will know exactly who those people are. 

• If you aren’t in the perfect spot don’t shoot the wave. There is nothing worse than someone causing a chandelier at the top of the wave for the surfer or unnecessarily being in someone’s frame. Ducking under a wave is good practice. 

• If another photographer is shooting a pro and you are in front of that photographer have them point out exactly who that person is thoroughly enough prior so there is no confusion. Again ducking under a wave for another photographer goes a long way. 

• Put some time in out there before you go shooting wide angle at Pipe. There may be windows to shoot at Backdoor or Off the Wall. Make sure you understand those waves before you shoot them as they can be very dangerous.

• In the last hour of light, or golden hour as it’s known by even the best photogs out there will put away the fisheye and shoot a longer focal length. 

• Just because you can shoot wide doesn’t mean you need to shoot it all the time. Try and mix up the angles, fly your drone, shoot some landscapes. Shoot a little longer from time to time.

• If there is a crowded photo pack (usually on the best days) shooting wide and putting your arm straight up in the air – statue of liberty style can ruin just about everyone else’s photos behind you. Instead make sure that you are in the right spot and try looking through the viewfinder or keeping your arms down if you can. 

• Lastly, don’t show up there expecting any fanfare from the other photographers. Put your time in. Be as respectful as you can and in return over time you will earn their friendship and respect.