Viral Olympic Surfing Photo Captured by a Nikon Z9

Written By Robert G Allen Photography
Embed from Getty Images

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/

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Robert G Allen Photography

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.

https://www.RobertAllen-Photography.com
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Q&A: What It Takes to Photograph the 2024 Olympic Games