Russell Ord

Sports | Last Updated: July 14, 2021

I am a surf and lifestyle photographer based in Margaret River, Western Australia.

My photography journey started 20 plus years ago when I injured my knee surfing. I replaced lazing on the lounge for a camera and began taking photos of mates (surfing).

The learning curve was steep, especially being self-taught and using slide film. The camera skills gradually progressed: I was fortunate enough to have 20 years of ocean experience to call upon, which I have always said is the hardest skill to learn regarding surf photography.

The passion grew from there. Surfing had become quite competitive and crowded, so being reunited with that feeling of freedom – especially when you’re swimming out alone – was more of an incentive than jostling for waves.

I am not one of those equipment junkies that gets crazy about gear and wants to debate about the pros and cons of all the brands. I have been using Fujifilm mirrorless cameras for all my work over the last four years.

Fuji suits me perfectly for all my photographic work, from surfing images to documenting lifestyle and stories.

One of the biggest mistakes early on in my career was to travel with “just in case” equipment – seventy-five percent of that gear was never used on trips. Now I like to break it down to what can get the job done and the clients’ requirements, and if it’s a personal trip the equipment in the bag becomes even lighter.

Travel Bag for Surf Photography:

Cameras
Fuji X-T3 (x2)

Lenses
Fuji XF 10-24mm f/4 – For wide-angle in the water.
Fuji XF 35mm f/2 – For water and lifestyle.
Fuji XF 56mm f/1.2 – For portraits and lifestyle.
Fuji XF 90mm f/2 – Longer lens for water.
Fuji XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 – Longer lens for land images.

Waterhousing
Aquatech – Elite for X-T3 Fujifilm and ports to suit all of the above lenses except 100-400mm.

Full equipment list:

Cameras
Fuji X-T3 x 2
Fuji GFX50s – Medium Format

Lenses
Fuji XF 16mm f/1.4
Fuji XF 10-24mm f/4
Fuji XF 23mm f/1.4
Fuji XF 35mm f/2
Fuji XF 56mm f/1.2
Fuji XF 60mm Macro f/2.4
Fuji XF 90mm f/2
Fuji XF 50-140mm f/2.8
Fuji XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6

Medium Format Lenses
Fuji GF 23mm f/4 R WR
Fuji GF 45mm f/2.8 R WR
Fuji GF 110mm f/2 R LM WR
Fuji GF 250mm f/4 R LM OIS WR

Waterhousings
Aquatech – Elite for X-T3 Fujifilm

Lighting
Elinchrom ELB1200
Skyport HS Transmitter (For FujiFilm)
ELB1200 Action Head
ELB1200 Hi-Sync Head
HP Reflector 26cm
Rotalux Deep Octabox 100cm

Hard drives
G-Technology Storage

Filters
Nisi Filter Kit

Computers
Apple MacBook Pro
Apple iMac

www.russellordphoto.com | @russellordphoto