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