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Taking Pictures at the Beach with your Digital Camera
To take pictures at the beach, you need two other things in addition to your digital camera. First, if your digital camera isn't waterproof or water-resistant, you'll want some type of waterproof case or plastic bag to protect your camera. Second, because sand and salt from the ocean water can build up on your camera, you need a soft lint-free cloth and a blower brush for keeping your camera clean.
Take time and care to protect your camera from the elements when taking pictures at the beach. Avoid swimmers who are splashing water and be aware of wind conditions. Another tip for keeping your camera clean is to rinse your hands in fresh water and dry them thoroughly before handling your camera if you've been in the ocean. Also, you should never leave your camera out in the sun.
In and of themselves, beaches make for some of the most beautiful settings for any photo. To take even better beach pictures, follow these tips:
1. The two best times of day for taking pictures at the beach are early morning and late afternoon. The sun is brightest at midday, which can make setting the right exposure difficult.
2. If you're not sure which exposure setting is best, bracket your exposures using -0.3 as the midpoint. A manual mode, if your camera has one, can also help.
3. Beaches tend to be incredibly bright, so use a low ISO setting unless the sun is low. For the best results, don't exceed a setting of ISO 100.
4. Spot metering will help you set the right exposure when taking portraits of people on the beach.
5. Try a variety of vantage points, such as looking down from an elevated position or lying on your stomach.
6. Tell a story with your photos. Some examples of good subjects include seashells and children playing in the sand.
7. The strong overhead light caused by the sun can create shadows. You can illuminate them with a fill-in flash.
8. For more vibrant colours, try a polarising filter.
9. Don't forget that stormy days can make for some of the most striking photos. Just be sure to keep your camera protected from the spray.
Taking pictures at the beach with your digital camera can also pose a few unique challenges. Here are some things to watch out for:
1. Getting the horizon straight can be difficult, especially when there are sloping sand dunes in the frame. An on-demand grid screen is very helpful for composing your shot with a straight horizon. If you don't have a grid screen, try imaging that the sand dunes aren't there to determine where the horizon is.
2. To avoid blown-highlights, one option is to use your camera's Beach/Snow mode. An even more effective method is to set the exposure compensation to -0.3 or -0.7EV. Review your photos and continue to experiment until you find the optimal exposure level.
3. Use a polariser to reduce the potential for glare caused by bright patches of sunlight reflecting off the water's surface.
