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Nothing is more frustrating than coming back from vacation, and your holiday photos aren’t what you expected. But it doesn’t need to be that way. This article will tell you how to take better beach photography.
Take Care of Your Equipment
You can’t take good photographs if your camera fails. And nothing looks worse than a beautiful blue sky with spots and splotches all over it. With the sand and the saltwater, the beach is a harsh environment.
Keep a cloth with you to wipe the body and lenses down occasionally. Be very careful when changing your lenses. Point the camera down and shield it with your body. If it’s very windy, shoot with the lens you have on. It’s better to adjust your shooting than get sand and salt inside your camera.
Pay Attention to the Time
It would be best if you visited the beach at different times to get different images. Or if you are only there at a specific time of day, you need to roll with it, not fight it.
Sunrises and sunsets at the beach can be amazing or relatively dull. Depending on which coast you are on, get out there about 30 minutes before the event to get set up. Use a tripod if you have one. As the color reaches its peak, meter a few degrees away from the sun.
Check your exposure after each shot and use exposure compensation to change it quickly. It’s okay if the sun is blown out, but make sure you have good color everywhere else. Stick around for the whole event; things can change pretty quickly.
If you have to be out during the middle of the day, don’t bother with wide shots of the ocean unless the light is excellent. Most likely, you will have dull, hazy water and a blown-out sky. Instead, focus on the small details. Capture rocks, shells, and dunes. Look all around, Shoot up and down the beach, or with your back to the water. Look for the shot.
Watch the Weather
Of course, you want plenty of images with bright sunshine, blue skies, and beautiful puffy clouds, but don’t be afraid of other weather conditions. Early morning fog can present some lovely images.
When a storm is brewing, and everyone else is running inside, grab your camera and run outside. You can get some fascinating cloud formations and light before a storm. Just be sure to take along a waterproof bag to dump your camera hits if you get caught in it.
Get a Tide Chart
The tide can significantly change the look and mood of the beach. Try to get out at both high and low tide and see what you can capture. Reflections in tidal pools after the tide goes out are excellent. Low tide can produce some exciting details in the sand. This is also when you can find the most seabirds feasting on the new buffet.
The beach can produce some great images and some ho-hum images. Pay attention to these factors, and make sure yours are the former.