Viral Olympic Surfing Photo Captured by a Nikon Z9
Search all of Robert G Allen Photography articles:
TOPSHOT - Brazil's Gabriel Medina reacts after getting a large wave in the 5th heat of the men's surfing round 3, during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in Teahupo'o, on the French Polynesian Island of Tahiti, on July 29, 2024. (Photo by Jerome BROUILLET / AFP) / ALTERNATE CROP (Photo by JEROME BROUILLET/AFP via Getty Images)
While shooting surfing for the 2024 Olympics in the Tahitian surfing venue of Teahupo'o in French Polynesia, Nikon photographer Jerome Brouillet captured this surreal photo of Brazil's Gabriel Medina celebrating after getting a large wave at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Jerome, a Frenchman, specializes in surfing photography but also dabbles in waves and nature as subjects.
Rumor has it that it was captured with a Nikon Z9 but the lens is unknown. I have reached out to Jerome to inquire about what lens was used but have not heard back yet. This is understandable since I’m sure he is busy adhering to an Olympic sized schedule in French Polynesia. I did find a photo that appears to show Jerome holding his Z9 and the Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S lens but it’s not clear if the photo was taken after his famous Olympic surfer photo or at some other unrelated time.
Let me know in the comments what you think the lens was. I’m guessing it was the 100mm-400mm Nikkor lens.
Watch a short interview of Jerome on my Facebook page where he describes what it was like to capture such as famous photo at: https://www.facebook.com/RobertGAllenPhotos/
No one can dispute the fact that the Nikon Z5 was getting very stale in Nikon’s lineup and desperately needed a refresh in order to continue to lure photographers into Nikon’s camera and lens ecosystem. Well today, Nikon delivered that much needed update. Lets explore the details.
Chris was a Nikon ambassador from 2018-2024. I haven’t been able to find any reasons why Hershman left or was asked to leave by Nikon. It’s hard to know if Chris is still active in photography or videography. The last post on his facebook page was in 2023.
As reported on PhotoPXL today, Kevin passed away after a series of strokes. RIP Kevin. We will miss all of your many projects, the lectures on how important it is to print your work, the many camera and lens reviews, and of course, the workshops you hosted.
I was finally able to take out the new Nikon COOLPIX P1100 for a test ride at high altitude plane spotting, one of my favorite uses of Nikon’s super telephoto cameras. The SWISS airliner ( flight SWR38K) that was flying high overhead was traveling from Zurich to San Francisco.
Robert G Allen Photography received the Nikon P1100 camera from Nikon today. Stay tune for a complete review of this super telephoto camera.
Here are a few motocross photos as part of our first outing with the P1100 camera today.
Saturday, March 8th 2025 was International Women’s Day. What better way to celebrate than with a studio portrait session on the same day with a powerful model like Tori. I think the message that comes across with this portrait is power.
Nikon recently provided an update to their own photo editing software, NX Studio. This update takes from version 1.7.1 to 1.8.0 and includes adding support for the new COOLPIX P1100.
The new firmware has mostly to do with enhancing video functionality and providing specific support for the new NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ video lens. If you only shoot stills, nothing to see here. Here are the details:
The new firmware has mostly to do with enhancing video functionality and providing specific support for the new NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ video lens. If you only shoot stills, nothing to see here. Here are the details:
With a release date of October 2020, the Z7II offers plenty of opportunity for updates and changes, much of which are overdue. Just like the Z6III, I think similar changes could be made to the Z7II to bring it up to date with the release of the Z7III. Here is what I think could the specs of a refreshed Nikon Z7II could be.
I just spent a year away from all Adobe products and used Capture One exclusively during all of 2024 for all commercial assignments and personal content. I actually cancelled my Adobe Photographers subscription at the end of 2023 to ensure I would not be tempted to go to the dark side during my testing period. Here is what I found after using Capture One for a full calendar year.
If you are on an annual subscription, the new price will take effect from your next renewal date that falls on or after May 1, 2025. You will receive reminder emails with details of the new price 30, 7 and 3 days before your subscription is due for renewal.
The Imaging USA convention and trade show brings professionals together to elevate and grow their businesses. Nikon Ambassadors and photographers share tips and techniques for capturing amazing portraits, sports and wedding photographs and videos.

Welcome to Robert G Allen Photography. I'm a professional multi-disciplinary commercial freelance photographer based in the Pacific Northwest and a Nikon DSLR Enthusiast.
While my career has primarily been as an event photographer, this website represents other areas of photography for which I have professional competency and enjoyment. The resulting front page gallery and single subject galleries are the result of a combination of client assignments and personal areas of interest.
As a full time Capture One user (no Adobe products for me), I’m eagerly waiting for May 8th, 2025. For that is the date of their new product announcement. I have no idea what features could be announced but if they are saying “Their biggest update ever” I’m assuming it’s going to be truly big.