Photography Tips for Your Next Trip to the Beach

There are a lot of great places to take some stunning pictures. With the right skills and attention to detail, any subject anywhere can create a memorable photo. However, taking photos on the beach guarantees that you’ll leave with gorgeous photos.

From the second most popular area in Abu Dhabi, the Al Raha Beach, to Miami Beach, the rocky shores of the Great Lakes, and the picturesque beaches of the Maldives, there’s no doubt that every second on the beach creates the perfect opportunity for the perfect photo. Make the most of every second on the beach with these photography tips.

Protect Your Camera

The first order of business is to make sure your camera is protected. Protecting your camera when taking pictures outdoors is always a challenge, but it can be especially challenging on the beach.

Keeping your camera dry is the most obvious challenge. If you have a waterproof camera, or you’re ready to go shopping for a new camera, purchase a waterproof camera. You’ll have a little less to worry about when you’re on the beach.

Just because you don’t have a waterproof camera doesn’t mean you have to stay at home! Protect your camera by avoiding the water and staying firmly on the beach. When you aren’t using your camera, store it in a watertight container. Always use straps to make sure you don’t drop your camera

The sand can also cause a lot of problems for your camera. Use lens covers and carry your camera in an impenetrable case when not in use.

Keep Your Subjects Safe

You need to keep your camera safe on the beach, but you also need to keep everyone you’re working with safe on the beach too.

It can be tempting to ask subjects to do something that is a bit unsafe in an effort to get the perfect shot. That might mean perching your subject on a rocky cliff as waves crash at their feet or setting a small child a little too close to the waves.

The shot isn’t worth it if it puts anyone in danger. Consider your subject carefully and always err on the side of caution.

Use the Right Accessories

The camera accessories you use when taking pictures on the beach can have a huge impact on your final shots. A few camera accessory ideas include:

• Try an external flash to keep morning and evening photos crisp and clear.
• Use a flash diffuser to make it easier to bounce the flash.
• Use a polarized filter that reduces reflected light and boosts color intensity.

The other equipment you use is important too. For example, a tripod can ensure your shots are stable, but tripods can easily topple over in the wind. Tie a bag of sand to your tripod to weigh it down so it doesn’t crash to the ground and take your camera with it.

Go to the Beach When Everyone Else Avoids It

When you think of going to the beach, you probably imagine going during the most beautiful times of the day. That means during the afternoon on a sunny day or in the evening during the golden hour. Although these times can provide you with some great photos, don’t shy away from going to the beach when everyone else avoids it.

Head to the beach at night, when it’s gray and cloudy, and when it’s raining. Not only will you avoid the crowds and get some great shots of the beach, some of the most memorable images happen during inclement weather.

Get in Close

Capturing the enormity of the beach is a dream of many photographers. The crashing waves and the sun setting over the water on the horizon can make for a great photo, but don’t forget about all the other things on the beach.

The large scale of the beach is matched in beauty by the tiny details you can capture, if you just know where to look. It may be a single flower sprouting up through the sandy soil, a tiny crab scuttling on the beach, or a single seashell perched on the sand. These small details can create pictures that are just as captivating as wide-angle shots of the beach.

You can capture some amazing shots on the beach, but if you want to take your photos to the next level, you have to do more than bring your camera and hope for the best. These tips will help you snapshots that you’ll want to frame on your wall.