Today’s advanced cameras and camera phones allow us to capture beautiful images underwater and on the beach. Fortunately, a few ingredients are key to making the most of your beach photo session: ample sunlight, warm weather, laid-back subjects, and a creative spirit.
In this article, we’ll take a look at how you can capture great photos using these ingredients, as well as a few simple techniques to help you create striking imagery.
Tips for taking good pictures at the beach:
- Bring a camera instead of just relying on your phone – You can’t beat the clarity of a great camera. Use a wide-angle lens to get everything in the shot- make sure to zoom out as much as possible before you take the picture.
- Select a perfect standing position –Having an understanding of how light works is crucial for any photography, including photography of beaches. Understanding the direction and angle of the light can help you select a perfect standing position to take your beach photos.
- Maximize your shots and minimize sand in the photos –Maximize your beach photography by minimizing sand in the shots. It’s not hard to do if you know what makes the most successful shots and how to take them. Some techniques include shooting in the early morning or late afternoon and choosing a lens with a longer focal length to get more of the background in focus. Others include downloading apps for editing on your phone when you get home and setting your camera to its infinity focus mode.
- Learn how to handle strong light and harsh shadows – When photographing a beach environment, harsh shadows can be cast onto the subject and become part of the scene. Wait for the sun to be at a lower angle during sunrise or sunset to avoid the harsh setting. You can also try adjusting your exposure by using a neutral density filter (ND) to slow down your shutter speed and bring back detail into the shadows. You can use two filters in this situation: one ND filter and one polarizing filter (R72.N) to remove glare. But in case you don’t have any filters with you, use your hand to block direct light coming into my lens.
- Make use of a wide-angle lens – If you’re a beginner, it’s best to use a wide-angle lens during beach photography. A wide-angle lens will help get more sand, sea, and sky into the picture. A tighter-angle lens is necessary if you are trying to take portraits of your friends. A good camera option for beach scenes is a good quality digital camera that only uses memory for storage. This prevents the loss of any photos due to bad weather or some other calamity.
- Ensure you have a tripod – Whether you want to take selfies, or family photos, a tripod for beach photography will take your photography to the next level. Level your camera so that your photos don’t come out crooked, and get in your shot without a selfie stick.
Beach photography can be unique and sometimes challenging. The ocean and sand, sometimes the sun, and other times all of the storm clouds in the world set the scene for exact lighting that requires a quick and steady hand. Give yourself the edge you need to get beyond basic beach shots with the tips discussed above.
