Nature photographers, landscape photographers, wedding
photographers, hobby photographers... who doesn't love an
excuse to take some photos at the beach? It is human nature
to want to take photos of the places we are drawn to
personally, so the beach is a great source of inspiration
for photographers at all levels.
Beach photography can be particularly challenging, even for
experienced nature photographers. We are often inspired by
the sounds, the smells, the open space; so the job of the
photographer is not just to photograph a place, but to
capture a feeling.
This can make beach photography a deeply personal thing, so
your approach to a photo will be guided by what that
location means to you. However, there are some easy ways to
add impact to your pictures. Here are five simple tips to
help you enjoy your next beach photography outing.
Beach Photography Tip #1. Time of Day. Every landscape
photographer knows that early in the morning and late in
the afternoon are the best times for taking outdoor photos.
At these times the sunlight is soft and warmly coloured,
and shining from a low angle to illuminate most subjects
more evenly.
This is even more critical at the beach, particularly if
your beach has white sand. If you take your photos in the
middle of the day, the glare from the sand and the white
water will create stark, high-contrast photos that will not
do justice to the location. However, when the sun is low it
will illuminate the entire scene with much warmer colours.
The froth at the waters edge will light up like champagne
bubbles, and the whole photo will be richer and more
atmospheric.
Beach Photography Tip #2. Get Down To The Water's Edge. To
get the best beach photos, be prepared to get your feet
wet. Down at the water's edge where the sand is wet, your
foregrounds will be more colourful, and wiped clean of
footprints, tyre tracks and other distractions that can
spoil the natural look of a beach photo. You may also
discover reflections that add interest to otherwise plain
foregrounds.
Beach Photography Tip #3. Find An Eye-Catching Feature. A
long, empty expanse of white sand with a clear blue sky is
perfect for a walk on the beach, but can be too empty and
plain for a photograph. You should try to find a feature to
build your composition around. Many beaches have a rocky
headland at each end; head for the rocks to find a more
interesting foreground. Not only will your photos have a
stronger focal point; they will also have more appeal for
viewers who can identify familiar features in the image.
Once you start looking, there are all types of features on
a beach that can add interest to your composition;
driftwood, shells, rocks, lifesavers' flags...just be
creative and the list is endless.
Beach Photography Tip #4. Make The Most Of A Good Sky. A
clear blue sky at the beach can be a thing of beauty - and
can also be a photographer's worst enemy. A great cloud
formation can add a whole new dimension to your photo,
especially if you can't find anything of interest in the
foreground.
Even if it quite overcast, don't despair. With a little
luck, you might be able to capture the magnificent effect
of sunbeams over the water as the sun rises or sets behind
the clouds. Remember that beach photos don't always have to
be bright and sunny. We see enough of that in advertising
and the movies. The photos that stand out from the crowd
are often the ones with dark skies and brooding atmosphere,
not white sand and blue sky.
Beach Photograhy Tip #5. Use Your Wide Angle Lens. A
wide-angle lens can be the best way to capture that sense
of isolation and distance that you often feel when walking
on the beach. The smaller lens exaggerates the perspective,
making the background appear to stretch away for many miles
and creating a real sense of three-dimensional depth. If
you are looking up the beach, you can capture everything
from the swirling water right in front of you to the
lighthouse in the distance. Even better, the stronger depth
of field of the wide-angle lens lets you keep it all in
focus.
This 'wide-open-spaces' effect can look plain and empty if
your scene lacks features, so remember Tips #3 and #4 and
make the most of your skies and foregrounds. Obviously the
wide-angle lens is not the best option for every photo, but
it not a bad place to start if you are looking for ideas.
So there you have my five simple tips for beach
photography. This is by no means a comprehensive guide. As
with all nature photography, beach photography is an
adventure that never ends. You never get tired of taking
photos, and you never take two photos quite the same.
Still, if this little article encourages you to get out
there and practice, then you are one step closer to
becoming a better photographer.
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If you found these tips helpful, visit
http://www.naturesimage.com.au to find Andrew Goodall's top
selling ebook "Photography In Plain English" and check out
his popular beach photography collection. While you are
there, don't forget to subscribe to the online newsletter
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