Beaches present unique challenges and opportunities for photographers. The sand and surf is fun to us, but can be a rather unhealthy mix for gadgets, but on the other hand, the landscapes, the waves and sun can often create beautiful photo moments. To guarantee that you get the most out of your coastal moments with your camera we're compiling an ultimate list of tips for beach photography whether you are using a DSLR, or a compact camera.
Techniques
Accessories
1.
The first thing you need is a camera; you can bring your DSLR, bridging camera or your tiny compact digital. Whether you have a pro DSLR or a simple point and shoot, there are plenty of picture opportunities and you don't want to miss out on them by leaving your camera at home.
2.
Beach means ocean, waves and sprays of salty water. Things that don't necessarily go well with gadgets. Unless your camera is waterproof, like the Olympus Mju 1030 SW and Sanyo Xacti DMX-CA8, you can consider a waterproof case, or a waterproof cover.Otherwise you will just have to be very careful about not getting your camera wet.
3.
Even if you have a super-steady hand, some shots will be difficult unless you have a tripod to mount your camera on. If you are taking pictures in dim light, or if you want to blur movement, a tripod will come in very useful.
4.
A polarizer filter is a great way to make the blue sky deeper. It will filter out reflections from the ocean waves and give deeper contrast in the images, making the photos look more dramatic. The other choice is a UV filter which will keep out haze in the images and also work to protect lenses from scratches. Any filter will keep out the sand and water and if you drop the lens, you can hope that the filter is scratched or breaks first.
5.
External flash isn't essential, but could come in useful, for night shots or when you need a fill in flash to light up features when the sun is directly behind your subject.
The best time to go to the beach is when there are few people milling around, unless you are to capture shots of crowds of people, but no matter when you go the beach provides more than a little fun in water and sand, but a hoard of picture opportunities.
