Mikala Jones has been doing this a long time. While certainly he’s not the inventor of “in-the-tube” photography, he’s definitely contributed more than his share of R&D to the cannon. Not to mention plenty of inspirational clips and images.
Before GoPro cameras were capable of print quality resolutions, MJ used to paddle a Canon 7D in an AquaTech waterhousing into the waves. He’d pin it to the deck of his board with his chin as he stroked into a wave, then grab it as he was popping up and pulling in. No easy trick (and led to a few bloody chins).
Then GoPro stepped up and changed filmmaking forever, allowing all manner of extreme sports athletes to bring us along on their most insane rides. And Mikala has remained right on the forefront of this evolution as well – as you’ve surely seen in their copious and jaw-dropping in-store display and online promo videos. He creates some of the most beautiful shots.
So, how does he do it? What makes his in-the-tube footage better than the next guy’s? Well, I thought I’d ask. And here is your answer.
Mikala is a man of few words and many secrets. When he watched the results of our video collaboration, he laughed that this was more words than he typically says all year. He’s joking, of course… more like several months, I’d say. Nevertheless, I’d like to express my gratitude for his open-ness here (though, you may notice he holds back a few tricks for himself…like how to film backside. Anyone know?). It’s not just his experience he’s sharing here, but all these years of amazing footage. Mikala has brought us all along with him into the tube as much as any surfer since George Greenough. So even when the waves at home are flat, we can all go online and get ridiculously barreled with Mikala (who is probably getting ridiculously barreled at the same time, somewhere the waves are actually pumping).
At first glance, the tips in this video may strike you as a bit simple: good light, good waves, correct settings, and a whole lot of practice. Duh. But the fact is, it’s the simple stuff that matters most. Putting all these elements together into a single shot. Hunting it and repeating until you get it right. It takes practice. And it takes passion. Mikala’s been doing this a long time.
Thanks for watching.Thanks for letting us watch. – NM
VIDEO CREDITS
Footage by Nathan Myers & Mikala Jones
Edited by Nathan Myers
Motion Graphics by Nicholas Budi
A Noon Moon Production
Special thanks to GoPro & Reef
