SURF & YOGA RETREATS with Surfakademin

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icture this: early morning, climbing the stairs to the rooftop terrace of our beach house. With your morning coffee in hand, you soak in the breathtaking view of the Indian Ocean and the palm-lined beach stretching out below. This week, our Surf & Yoga Retreat in Sri Lanka takes things to a whole new level.

Capturing the Frame: Surf & Photography Retreat - Imagine a week where photography, creativity, movement, and stillness come together in perfect harmony.   

Linus & Tomas, the creative duo behind Soda/Lime, bring you an inspiring and hands-on deep dive into the art of photography. Over a decade of professional experience with creating lifestyle films and photos. Creating magic in over 30 countries for international brands like DB Journey, The North Face, Spotify, and of course Surfakademin. The knowledge being now poured into you to help instantly elevate your own images regardless if you’re a complete rookie or have a couple of terabytes of images in the bag already.

The workshop is open to everyone – from curious beginners to seasoned pros. The focus is on keeping it simple, practical, and uplifting, with plenty of laughter and good vibes along the way. By the end of the week, you’ll leave with a collection of photos you’re proud of and a renewed sense of creative energy to carry forward into your photography journey.

Pre-Workshop:
If you arrive full of inspiration but feel like you’re missing some basic photography skills, our pre-workshop is a perfect intro to get you up to speed. We’ll cover the fundamentals of your camera—shutter speed, aperture, and ISO—and help you understand how these settings work together. We’ll also show you how to use these settings creatively. It’s a great refresher before we dive into the more creative aspects. Already a pro with camera settings? No worries, you can skip this step.

Workshop 1: Find Your Story
We begin with the basics: What makes an image interesting? We’ll talk about how to create emotion or tell a story with your photos, how to make the most of your surroundings, and share tips from our 10+ years of experience in the industry. These insights will help take your photography to the next level.

Workshop 2: Composition & Unique Perspectives
How do you create a photo that stands out from the crowd?
In this workshop, we’ll go over tips for choosing subjects and compositions, as well as how to break the rules to create something that feels unique and personal to you. We’ll discuss lighting, angles, and simple techniques to elevate your images. We’ll also cover the pros and cons of different types of equipment.

Workshop 3: Quick Edits That Make a Difference
Post-processing doesn’t have to be complicated, and it’s often what transforms an okay photo into something amazing. We’ll show you simple tricks for adjusting skin tones, minimizing distractions, and directing the viewer’s eye to what matters most in the image. Whether you’re editing on your phone or computer, the basic principles are the same.

Workshop 4: Show & Grow
The final session is a fun image showcase. Everyone will have the chance to share their favorite photos from the week, talk about their thought process behind them, and get feedback if desired. We’ll wrap up with tips for how to continue growing as a photographer on your own—whether you want to dive deeper into technical skills or explore new creative projects.

What Can You Expect? Practical tips you can use immediately, whether you’re shooting with a phone or a camera. Inspiration to find your personal style and create images that feel unique. A mix of hands-on exercises and new ways of thinking about photography.

This week is about more than just improving your photography skills—it’s about seeing the world through a different lens and having fun along the way. Bring your camera, phone, or whatever gear you have—we promise you’ll leave with plenty of useful tips, whether you’re a complete beginner or already on your way to becoming a pro photographer.